Bride of a Dragon

Katie

Rating: R
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Draco & Ginny
Book: Draco & Ginny, Books 1 - 4
Published: 04/06/2003
Last Updated: 10/08/2003
Status: in_progress

Eight years after Hogwarts, an accomplished and engaged man, Draco was not charmed when a certain Ginny Weasley shows up with a girl whom she claims to be THEIR daughter. Could that night in the hotel actually resulted in something?

Chapters

1. Surprise

2. Oops

3. Conversation

1. Surprise

Lisa David Normal Lisa David 8 4 1999-06-04T22:03:00Z 1999-06-04T22:07:00Z 5 2280 13001 Sunlight 108 26 15966 9.2720

Disclaimer: Only thing that’s mine is the plot and anything that isn’t from canon.

A/N: I only have the first chapter on file right now. If you want to finish it, read my copy at FFN! =)

Bride of a Dragon

By: Katie/Katrina

One

Surprise

Rain fell lazily outside the Muggle bar, slapping hard against the windowpanes. It was very dark outside, as it was midnight, but Ginny Weasley couldn’t care less. She had finished her sixth glass of Muggle beer and was feeling very lightheaded, and to her everything looked like a blur. Just like my life, she thought, as she demanded for another glass of beer from the bartender, although she was very near knocked out by all the alcohol.

Ginny wasn’t addicted to alcohol, and she usually hated the smell of it when Fred and George had their share, but she found that her brothers were right that alcohol could chase away one’s problems. Her mind was so clogged up currently that she could barely think straight, and if it weren’t for the huge sign inside the bar saying TONY’S BAR she wouldn’t have even known where she was exactly. Not to mention that it was well into the night, and Ginny had never once stayed past the curfew her mother set up, especially since she had a very important Ministry meeting the very next day. But today, she just couldn’t care.

Harry and Hermione had married. Harry married Hermione instead of her. Actually, Ginny knew perfectly well that Harry and Hermione were extremely happy together and that she was merely a sister to Harry, but still, she was shocked when the news came. To her, the wedding had been most unpleasant. Especially when she was the maid of honor in the wedding. It had taken Ginny everything not to scream and strangle both the groom and the bride as she stood there, watching Harry tenderly kiss Hermione as he slipped the ring onto her finger. She had to force herself to clap and congratulate the couple with a big smile on her face, and right after the wedding she’d run out of the church and stormed into the first bar she saw. Luckily, she had some Muggle money from her father, and she’d been in this bar ever since.

“Miss?”

Ginny looked up with bleary eyes. The unfocused image of the bartender loomed before her. “Yes…?” she said, her words very slurred. “How much do I owe?”

“You don’t owe anything, miss,” the bartender replied, eyeing her with subdued curiosity, “but the bar is closing soon.”

Ginny shook her head. “Give me five more minutes,” she said in the same slurred tone. “Pour me another glass.”

The bartender looked torn between earning more money and the health of his customer, but eventually, greed took over. He filled Ginny’s glass to the brim and went instead to the other remaining customer in the bar, in the other corner, as well-hidden as the young woman who was almost knocked out by the alcohol. Both of them are rather classy, the bartender thought, as he stared down at the blonde hair and the muddled gray eyes. Too bad both of them just had to get drunk.

~*~

Draco Malfoy couldn’t believe it when Lucius told him that they were to move to France immediately. “What?” he’d said. “Father, I can’t. I like it here. I have a job. I’m happy here. I have no intention of going to France where I don’t know anyone.”

At first, Lucius tried to convince him as nicely as he could manage, but soon, father and son both turned very nasty. “Look!” he snarled. “That meddlesome Harry Potter and the Muggle-loving fool Albus Dumbledore are going to destroy Master’s armies. There’s no doubt that Potter’s going to defeat him in the near future. Just look at how confident he is. He’s getting married, for Slytherin’s sake!” He glared at his son. “You, I hope, know that I myself is a Death Eater, and fully aware of the consequences should I be caught?”

“Azkaban,” Draco replied in a monotone. “So what? What does that have to do with me? I’m neutral, all right? I’ve never stepped into a Death Eater meeting nor an Order of the Phoenix meeting, so you take your vacation in Paris and let me stay here.” Draco wasn’t really that in love with Britain, of course, but after years of just buckling to his father he was tired of it. For once, he was going to defy the oh-so-great Lucius Malfoy.

But he wasn’t so lucky. Lucius grabbed him by the collar. “You dare defy me, son?” he spat, spraying Draco with his spit. “I will make sure that you’re sorry you’ve ever been born! The Aurors are definitely going to question you if you stay behind, and I daresay that you will tell them of my whereabouts. Well, that’s not going to happen if I can help it. You are coming along, or you die. Only two choices.” He laughed wickedly. “And don’t forget, I can frame you as a Death Eater as well, and that’s your fate if you stay behind.”

How could Draco argue with that? He wasn’t exactly upset that he was leaving the country, but he was incredibly ticked off that once again, he was overpowered by his father.

“Sir!”

The voice seemed to be coming from faraway. Draco must’ve swigged down at least ten glasses of those Muggle liquor. He had no idea why he was in a Muggle bar, but he’d figured that if Lucius’ son were found in some Muggle place, he’d be pretty shamed. Draco knew he was like a trapped animal, fighting for the last bit of dignity, but the Malfoy pride ran supreme in his blood and he was at least going to keep that.

“What is it?” Draco mumbled, trying to focus.

“The bar is closing.” The bartender eyed him. “Are you finished?”

Draco nodded, lightheaded, as he tried to stand up. He stumbled a few steps to the exit and almost knocked into another person. It was a rather attractive young lady, with flaming red hair and dark brown eyes. Draco could’ve sworn he’d seen her somewhere before. She seemed to have been drinking quite some amount as well, because she seemed even more tipsy than him. And then it hit Draco. It was Virginia Weasley, the little sister of Ronald Weasley and the worshipper of the “great” Harry Potter.

“Hello…” murmured Ginny, leaning slightly on the door. “I’ve seen you somewhere…haven’t I…”

Draco had to support himself the same way. “Yes,” he said. And suddenly a thought grappled him. His father hated the Weasleys with every ounce of his strength. Suppose…. His thoughts were interrupted by the bartender.

“I’m locking up,” the bartender warned.

Ginny stumbled forward out onto the streets and nearly fell, but Draco caught her. “Harry…” she whispered, sliding her arms around Draco. “Please don’t leave me…please…”

Draco had to admit that it actually felt nicer than when Pansy Parkinson was clinging to him. He put his arms around her too, and gentler than he thought himself capable he led her to a nearby Muggle motel, where he used a simple charm and got themselves a room. Draco had actually felt a very un-Malfoy sympathy for the Weasley girl (since the alcohol had unconsciously screwed his mind a bit) and had only planned to leave her there, but when he tried to lay her on the bed, she wouldn’t let go of them.

“NO!” the girl murmured. “Don’t go…don’t go and marry Hermione…marry me…me…”

She was stronger than he’d expected, and Draco was pulled on the bed beside her. He was too sleepy to get up, so he lay there for a moment, thinking he’d just Apparate back to the Malfoy Manor when his head cleared a little. But suddenly, Ginny was right next to him, kissing him, still murmuring Potter’s name. It feels good, Draco thought, and he pulled her closer, kissing her back fiercely. Their tongues toyed with each other, till finally they broke for air.

They stared at each other for a moment. Draco had to admit that she was really very pretty. Her flaming red hair had a hint of golden brown in it, and her eyes were large and beautiful. She was much prettier than Pansy, and sexier too. She was wearing some really fancy Muggle spaghetti-strap dress, and the straps had fallen down, revealing her firm, white breasts. Draco felt himself stirring as the girl leaned in for another kiss. He magically locked the door just as both of them fell back onto the bed, kissing more fiercely than before.

“Harry…I love you…” said Ginny.

Draco kissed her harder in reply. As she brought herself closer to him, Draco knew he could stand it no longer. Flickering his wand, he turned out the light.

~*~

My head hurts, was Ginny’s first thought as she woke up from a very strange dream, in which she and Harry were kissing very hard in a dim place. Wearily, she opened her eyes, vaguely remembering a very important conference in the Ministry.

What she saw appalled her. She was completely naked, her clothes flung on the floor of a strange place she couldn’t recognize. There were a few hickeys on her neck, and two arms were still wrapped firmly around her. Ginny swallowed nervously, trying to remember the previous night and found she couldn’t. She only remembered someone holding her…leading her….

“Mm…”

Ginny nearly fell out of the bed in surprise, but the arms held on. She pried the fingers loose, just as the owner opened his eyes. For a moment, the two stared at each other in shock. Draco Malfoy? Ginny thought, her eyes wide, staring at the sworn nemesis of Harry and Ron. He was every bit as naked as she was, and every bit as surprised too. Then Ginny remembered that she was not wearing anything, and hurried she tore the sheets and covered her body with it while saying tensely, “What are you doing here?”

Draco stared at her. “I could ask you the same thing,” he said. “You are Weasel’s little sister, aren’t you? What are you doing, naked in my room?”

“You’re one to talk!” Ginny fumed. And then she realized at the same time what Draco realized. “What did you do yesterday?” they cried at the same time.

And at the same time, they answered “I don’t remember.”

If Ginny had been looking at the sheets, she would’ve realized that they were covered with dried blood, but she wasn’t. She was too busy pulling on her clothes and nervous that she would miss the meeting. “Loo-look,” she said nervously, looking herself over in the mirror and trying to straighten her messy red hair and magically conceal her hickeys. “I don’t remember anything…and since you don’t either…” HE DID NOT RAPE ME! HE DID NOT RAPE ME! “Let’s just pretend that nothing happened between us yesterday.”

Draco nodded. Clearly he wanted only too well to pretend the same thing as well. Ginny looked at him suspiciously. “You promise you won’t blackmail me?” she said. What have I done? What on earth had been happening? Inside she shrieked while trying to keep calm outwardly. She didn’t want to think about it. Let’s just say I took a shower and went to the wrong room, she tried and failed to reassure herself.

“I do,” Draco said. He reached into the pockets of his robes and pulled out a thin chain with a gold dragon pendant. “Here, take this. If I blackmail you, well…throw this in the river or something.”

Ginny nodded, pocketing the chain. “Deal,” she said. “So nothing happened at all between us, right?”

Draco nodded.

“Are you positive you won’t-”

Draco was totally annoyed. “Look, Weasel,” he snapped. “If you’re thinking that I’ve had sex with you, dream on! I’m still a virgin, even if you don’t believe it. I’m not going to degrade myself by sleeping with you. I should be the one threatening you not to spread this around.” He narrowed his eyes. “And I’m warning you…if you do…I will personally track you down.”

Ginny nodded, scared, and soon she Disapparated with a pop. And after Draco had straightened out the room after getting dressed himself, he Disapparated as well, hoping that his father wouldn’t be mad that they might miss their Muggle flight to Paris.

A few months later

“Voldemort is defeated!”

Ron burst into the room with the Daily Prophet in his hand. “Voldemort is defeated!” he repeated, looking proud that he was finally able to speak the name of the Dark Lord whom everybody had feared for so long.

Ginny was sitting on the couch with Cho, her sister-in-law, and Hermione Potter. Hermione squealed in delight. “That means Harry’s done it!” she said ecstatically, hugging Cho. “Harry’s coming home! And so is everybody else!”

Indeed, all the Weasleys except for Ron and Ginny, who worked on tracking down the Death Eaters instead, were Aurors, as was Hermione. But Hermione had gotten pregnant and therefore was forced to stay behind while everybody else fought. Ginny grinned widely at the thought that everybody was finally coming home. She had been worried about everyone and nearly jumped out of her skin every time a death was announced, but thankfully except for Percy, who had almost lost his right arm, everybody else was pretty much intact.

Ginny wanted to jump and shout with joy too, but for some reason, she felt nauseous. Hermione noticed. While Ron and Cho Apparated to the Ministry to congratulate everyone, Hermione led Ginny back on the couch. “What’s wrong, Gin?” she asked worriedly. “You don’t look so good.”

Ginny tried to act nonchalant. “I don’t think I’m pregnant,” she said jokingly. “After all, I’ve-”

And she stopped in mid-sentence, realizing what she’d said. Hermione looked at her with a slight frown. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Draco Malfoy. Me and Draco Malfoy naked on the bed. Me with three hickeys on my neck. Me with Draco Malfoy’s arms around me. Ginny gave a slight shudder remembering back to that day. Draco Malfoy had disappeared off the face of the earth after that incident, so Ginny hadn’t given that much thought. She just assumed that they were probably both drunk and either she or him went to the wrong room, thus wrong bed. But…Ginny’s eyes widened. She hadn’t gotten any more periods after that day. She figured it was just the stress and worries, but now…it could be…. She grabbed Hermione’s hand. “Hermione, how’d you know that you were pregnant with Lily?” she cried.

Hermione laid a hand lovingly on the bulge that was Lily Potter. “I had two tests, a Muggle and a wizarding one,” she said. “What is it?” Her eyes became suspicious. “Ginny…?”

“Which book?” Ginny cut her off.

Hermione was a bit taken aback, but she answered nevertheless. “I think it was The Standard Book of Spells, grade six or seven.” She paused. “Seven, I’m sure of that.” She eyed Ginny. “Ginny, what’s wrong?”

Ginny was saved from answering. Suddenly, a very dusty and fatigued look Harry appeared with a pop in front of the two women. Ginny hadn’t seen Harry for a few weeks, he being too busy in the war to come home lest he should get them in danger, and he became very thin. A nasty-looking slash was across his cheek, but on his worn-out face it was the same familiar grin. “Harry!” they both cried in joyful surprise, and in Ginny’s case mingled with relief.

Ginny gave Harry a quick hug, blushing slightly. And then, as Harry and Hermione embraced each other, she said, “I’m going to get some coffee!” but instead of going to the kitchen, she slipped upstairs into her room. She dashed to the bookcases and grabbed The Standard Book of Spells, grade seven and flipped it open to the index. She found the charm and flipped to that page, her heart pounding.

“Conceivus Charm,” she read. “‘If you use the charm and you do not feel a thing, that means you are not pregnant. However, if you feel a slight ache below your chest, then you are pregnant.’” She slammed the book shut, breathing heavily. With trembling fingers, she raised her wand and pointed it at herself. Do I dare to do it? She asked herself. And biting her lips, she muttered, “Fertus Conceivus.”

Nothing seemed to happen. Ginny was about to sigh with relief when there was a sharp jot under her chest. With widened eyes, Ginny performed the charm again. The same thing happened. Weakly, she collapsed onto her bed.

She was pregnant.

2. Oops

Lisa David Normal Lisa David 10 7 1999-06-04T22:03:00Z 1999-06-10T22:01:00Z 4 2396 13662 Sunlight 113 27 16777 9.2720

Disclaimer: Only thing that’s mine is the plot and anything that isn’t from canon.

A/N: Second chapter.

Bride of a Dragon

By: Katie/Katrina

Two

Oops

“Mommy!”

Ginny Weasley looked up from the newspapers she was going through. Her long red hair was being pulled from her face carelessly by a clip, and it made her look quite young, although it did not quite disguise the worries, distress, and anguish bottled inside of her. As she watched her daughter fly down the stairs, she quickly forced her face into a big smile. “What is it, sweetie?”

“Aren’t Uncle Harry and Aunt Hermione here yet?” the little girl demanded, childish anger etched all over her face. “I want to play with Lily!”

It always made Ginny have mixed feeling as she stared into the gray eyes of her daughter. Narcissa Molly Weasley looked like a mixture of she and Draco, not like Lily who was the exact feminine version of Harry except for her hair. Narcissa Molly, Molly for short, had beautiful strawberry blonde curls, gray eyes the exact shape as Draco’s, Ginny’s nose and mouth, but the rest of her face clearly defining her Malfoy heritage. Which was why she always reminded Ginny, however painfully, of that morning when she woke up, sleeping with Draco, and that day a few months later, when she realized that she was pregnant.

Ginny shook herself from the little reverie and tried to hide the newspapers. “I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” she said soothingly.

The doorbell rang then. Mrs. Hermione Potter was standing outside, holding the hand of Lily Potter, who instantly ran toward Molly and soon the two had dashed upstairs to play. Hermione grinned apologetically at Ginny. “Harry couldn’t come,” she said. “Things at the Ministry.” She looked down at the newspapers Ginny had been trying to hide, and a worried look came over her pretty face. “Still no news?”

“Absolutely nothing,” said Ginny, trying not to voice how desperate and helpless she really was. “I’ve been subscribing to every newspaper in existence in Britain and nothing about Draco Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, or Narcissa Malfoy ever surfaced. It’s like they just don’t exist anymore.”

Hermione nodded understandingly.

The Weasleys had not taken the news of Ginny’s unfortunate pregnancy very well. Mrs. Weasley had fainted and promptly refused to talk to her daughter, the same thing Mr. Weasley had done. Percy advised Ginny to abort the baby, the twins promised to help her go after the “fucking bastard”, and although Bill and Charlie didn’t react as strongly they were too far away to be of much help to Ginny. Only Ron understood when Ginny refused to abort her child, and only Ron tried to argue with his family when Mr. Weasley determinedly threw Ginny out of the house, shouting how she’d disgraced her family.

Ginny couldn’t argue with that. She did disgrace her family, if nothing else. Luckily, Harry and Hermione had been nice enough to take her into their house till she could find one of her own, and both, along with Ron and Cho, promised to help her till she find Draco. The only thing holding Ginny up, whenever her owls were returned from the Burrow with no answers or Howlers, or her invitations for her family to come and celebrate Christmas with her rebuffed for the past five years, and the fact that nobody, not even her mother, showed up when she gave birth to Molly, was that when she found Draco Malfoy and made him pay, perhaps her family would accept her again.

For six years, Ginny had subscribed to every newspaper and magazine existing in Britain, Muggle and wizard, and went through every article, every picture, every ad, for a mention of Draco and his whereabouts. But so far she had found nothing. No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t find Draco. It was as if he were Unplottable or something. To Molly, she’d always said that her father had gone to a foreign country to buy her lots of presents, but she wasn’t sure just how long would Molly keep on buying that tale. She always saw longing, however innocent and childish, whenever Lily Potter ran to Harry, and always the wistful look as Ron and Cho came with their newborn son, Arnold. And Molly had never known her grandparents either, the poor girl…

“Earth to Ginny,” called Hermione teasingly. “What are you thinking about?”

Ginny heaved a sigh. “Just how hopeless the whole situation looks,” she muttered, picking at her sofa like she was trying to murder it. “It’s been six years, and I know all of us, you, Harry, Ron, Cho, and I, all of us tried everything we could to find that idiot, and even with all of us, we don’t even have a fucking clue where he might be.” She couldn’t care less at her choice of language. “Oh God…if only I weren’t so stupid…if only I weren’t so naïve…jealous of you and Harry…none of these would’ve happened…what if we never find him? What would I tell my daughter? Your mother got drunk and got raped? Is that what I should tell her?”

“No! Ginny, don’t say that!” cried Hermione. “Don’t give up hope.”

“Why shouldn’t I? Malfoy doesn’t even know that he’s got a daughter, and he probably never will. He’s probably married with a loving family, having no idea how he’s ruined my entire life. My whole family excommunicated me, for Merlin’s sake!”

“Mommy!”

Molly came running down to Ginny, hugging Ginny tightly. “Mommy, don’t cry!” Molly said. “You always told me that crying is no good.”

Hermione laughed. “That’s right, Gin,” she said. “Listen to the wisdom of your daughter. We all believe in you, and there’s no reason for you to lose faith.”

Ginny wiped her tears and tried to grin. I shouldn’t have lost control in front of Molly, she thought, regaining her composure. “I guess even Mommy has to eat her own words sometimes,” she said ruefully. “Herm, you’re probably right. I shouldn’t lose faith; I suppose everything just seemed so hopeless before and I just broke down.”

The doorbell rang again. “Dad!” Lily shouted joyfully as the door opened to reveal Harry.

“I thought you had something to do at the Ministry,” said Hermione, surprised, as she hugged Harry. “What’s with that big, enigmatic smile on your face?”

Ginny looked at Harry closely as she hugged him. Indeed, something was twinkling in Harry’s green eyes. “I did have something to do at the Ministry, ladies,” Harry said, taking something from his pocket. “Ginny, I think I have something you might like. I found Draco.”

~*~

Draco Augustus leaned back in the armchair of his office and sighed contentedly. It was a beautiful spring day and soon Colette was coming so they would go out to a diner. He smiled slightly as he thought of his elegant, French fiancée. Colette had aristocratic blood in her. She had long, light brown hair and pale blue eyes, with the carriage of a queen. Not to mention that she was quite rich…Draco mused, as he looked at the business papers in front of him. He and Colette had been engaged for a week now, and the wedding was next month.

It’s been six years since he and his family had run to France to hide. His father was captured still by a French Auror, but his mother and him were spared. Still, he took his mother’s maiden name just to be safe, and hardly ever associated himself with any mentions of Malfoy. His mother died a few years ago, and that was all anyone had heard of the name Malfoy. Draco had no idea of what exactly happened to the Malfoy Manor, but he really couldn’t care less. He had a much better life in France.

Draco smirked. The bank he owned was one of the most renown ones in France. Hundreds of people came to deposit their moneys here, and it didn’t take Draco long to squeeze out all of his competitors, thus monopolizing the financial world of the French wizarding world. That was how he’d met Colette. She was a French witch, very haughty, and he clearly remembered the day when she came with the most Galleons he’d ever seen at one setting. It had only taken a few weeks for his Malfoy charm to work.

There was only one thing that Draco was worried about. He’d kept his bank totally within France, so nobody from other countries could come and deposit. His bank was not like Gringotts, a branch in every city in existence, except for Paris, of course. Why? He didn’t want to be recognized. He knew how reporters like Rita Skeeter were. If he were to make it onto her headlines, then she’d have every single detail of his background dug up, and it wouldn’t take long for someone as nosy as Skeeter to figure out that he was none other than Draco Malfoy, thought to have disappeared a while ago. Draco wasn’t afraid that he’d end up in Azkaban; he was not a Death Eater, and his father was too dead to frame him, but now that he was engaged to an aristocratic French lady and had established a life of his own, he had no intention of changing that.

Draco looked at the copy of the Daily Prophet in front of him with disgust. He had never allowed a picture of himself to be taken for a British newspaper, lest anyone should find him out, but there he was, waving and smiling as he toasted to his fiancée. He remembered the time and setting perfectly. It was only yesterday, at the dinner party Colette threw for her engagement. There were so many reporters and flashes and Draco was too drunk to worry which newspapers those reporters worked for. He’d bet a thousand Galleons that Rita Skeeter was one of them. He sighed and shredded the picture of him. Whatever, he thought. The newspaper was published yesterday and so far I haven’t gotten any Howlers. Nobody would link Draco Augustus with Draco Malfoy, now would they? He shrugged. Why worry himself when he didn’t need to?

~*~

“I didn’t think it was the Draco at first,” Harry explained, as he handed the article to Ginny, who was staring at it with wide eyes. “I thought it was just a coincidence when my coworkers mentioned some lavishly luxurious dinner party in France held by Draco Augustus. But then they showed me this article and its picture, and there’s no mistaking in that famous Malfoy smirk of our dear friend’s.”

Ginny held the newspaper with trembling hands, watching the pale man with the blonde hair as he raised a wineglass incessantly up to toast to a beautiful brunette next to him. No doubt his fiancée, she thought darkly as she read the caption of the photograph, informing her that Draco was the president of the Augustus Bank of France, filthily rich just like he was back in Britain, and about to marry to Colette Atort, another wealthy witch, descendant of Marie Antoinette’s relatives supposedly.

“No wonder we couldn’t find him,” she heard herself saying in a hollow tone. “He’s in France, flourishing away.” After a moment, she felt she might as well add it, since she knew everybody else was adding it in his or her heads. “And yes, he’s engaged. About to be married!”

Harry looked at the girls who were listening attentively. “Let me take you ladies out,” he said to the girls.

“You aren’t going to let him go that easily, are you?” Hermione whispered when Harry took the two girls outside for ice cream. “You aren’t going to let him enjoy a restful life while you’re here, bearing the name of a dishonored daughter and raising Molly all by yourself.”

“I’m strong. I can do it.”

“You can’t. I know you’re strong, Ginny, but you need support just like everyone else,” said Hermione. “You’ve tried to find him for six years just so that he would continue leading a fulfilled life? You should at least get him to pay, for goodness’ sakes! Why should you alone bear that name while it’s his fault just as much as yours? Take Molly to him and that snobby girlfriend of his, and let’s see his reaction.”

Ginny felt her grip on the newspaper tighten. “What would I say? What would I do? What if I end up humiliating myself in France instead of getting what I want?” She paused. “What do I want?”

Hermione looked at the grinning man in the newspaper. “Well…” she said, musing. “You don’t have to say anything. Just show him Molly. Anyone with half a brain could see a feminine Draco in Molly. How is that going to embarrass you?”

“He may turn the tables!” Ginny said. “You know him back in Hogwarts…you know what kind of an asshole our dear Draco was. He may just say that I raped him. He may just get international articles about how I’m some whore, some slut, and-”

“You want your family to forgive you, Ginny,” Hermione reminded her. “And now you finally got a chance to. I have a suggestion. You must get Draco to marry you, not that stupid French woman who looks like she’s been painted with makeup ever since birth.”

“Marry him?”

Hermione shook her head and grinned. “First marry him and get your share of his property,” she said, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “And then, well…simple, divorce him. Publicize it. Make sure that everyone knows that the head of the oh-wonderful bank has been dumped by his wife. That’ll sure make the headlines, and since that makes Molly a legitimate child and earned you a fortune, I’m sure your family won’t stay mad at you.” She saw Ginny’s look of surprise. “I guess I’m a bit wild,” she said with a grin. “I’ve been reading too much of the Death Eaters’ confessions and plans when Harry was still an Auror, and what do you know? They rubbed in. It is a bit mean, but considering how Draco never bothered to look into how you’re doing, I say it’s only suitable.”

“Hermione, that’s brilliant!” Ginny cried, hugging her friend. “You are absolutely brilliant. Is international Apparition allowed? I’m Apparating to that bank of his with Molly immediately.”

“If you get a license,” replied Hermione. “Cho can get one for you. By this evening, you will be in Draco’s office, giving him a shock he’ll never forget.”

“And he better not,” Ginny said, a rare look of cold determination settling in her usually warm brown eyes. “Draco Augustus Malfoy, it’s payback time.”

~*~

Kissing Colette had never been as satisfying as Draco would like. For some reason, he felt that he was merely attracted to the immense wealth of Colette Atort, and not really her beauty. Oh sure, she was drop-dead beautiful, but she was cold as an ice cube, and very demanding. Draco supposed the only reason he gave her the emerald ring was because of the fact that she had immense influence in France, and could end his career if she even cocks her pinky.

“Cheri, what are you thinking?” said Colette, her slender arms wrapped around Draco.

Draco groaned internally; though he did not dislike or hate her, he definitely did not love her to the point when she could demand everything from him, like she was about to now.

“You, of course,” said Draco.

“I’m thinking about our wedding, mon cheri,” Colette said. “I don’t think that the platinum jewelry set you gave me is quite enough. You know the golden jewelry set we saw quand nous étions en train de magasiner? I think those look a bit more exquisite and will go well with the wedding gown my mother gave me for my birthday.” She smiled at Draco seductively. “Est-ce que je peux?”

God! Doesn’t she think that those platinum necklaces and rings cost enough? Draco thought with great annoyance. Sometimes, underneath that beautiful mask of a face, he was sure that a serpent lay dormant, ready to spring. “Of course, sweetie; tomorrow,” he said, disentangling from her, which was rather fortunate, for the door opened just then.

His butler came into the office, looking a bit scared as Colette fixed him with her piercing glare. “I’m sorry to intrude, Master,” he said, trembling, “but a young lady is demanding to see you. I tried to stop her, but she won’t be placated…”

Draco didn’t have time to respond that no, he didn’t want to see anyone, and couldn’t the butler see that Colette was trying to seduce him again (to no avail, of course), and throw the girl out if he had to, when a slim figure entered, holding the hand of a little girl. Looking down, Draco was immediately drawn to the eyes of the girl, being exactly like his, and her beautiful features, resembling him to an uncanny extent.

Then he looked up into the face of the young woman, surveying his surprise with triumph. His memory was immediately jolted by the necklace around her neck, the long flaming waves pulled back from her face, the face he’d seen that day six years ago…that face that had been so twisted with fear and confusion…

“Virginia Weasley.”

French translations:

Cheri-dear

quand nous étions en train de magasiner-when we’re shopping

est-ce que je peux-is that I can?

If it’s wrong…*runs*

3. Conversation

Lisa David Normal Lisa David 61 15 1999-08-09T22:46:00Z 1999-08-09T23:02:00Z 5 2118 12074 Sunlight 100 24 14827 9.2720

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, so anything you recognize from canon is NOT mine. I do own the plot.

A/N:

First of all, thank you THANK YOU to all the reviewers.

Sorry I haven’t been updating it here. I thought I might as well finish BOD on PK. Here’s the third chapter, a chapter that was considered controversial (not really, but somewhat) on FFN.

A few notes before we go on:

Weasleys are OOC-yes, I’m aware of that. There used to be a planned sequel to explain, but it would be AU in face of new canon facts. There will be a weak reason supplied near the end, and I’m sorry but you must satisfy yourself with that.

French-er, that’s not my fault. I took my FFN reviewers’ suggestions, so it’ll be kind of pointless if you flame me about THAT.

Posting on Porktey-to the reviewer who asked me very “nicely” why I’m posting this here when I’ve already posted this on FFN: look, I don’t see a problem with that to start with, but if it satisfies you to know, I’m removing my R-rated story from FFN and posting it here. Got a problem with that? >,<

If any of you are a FFN reviewer, I’m inviting you to review again, because that copy would soon cease to exist except for a thank-you page and a link to this one.

And now, without further ado, I present…chapter three!

Bride of a Dragon By: Katrina/Katie

Three: Conversation

From the look in Draco’s eyes when they fell on the necklace Ginny was wearing, that look of recognition, Ginny knew immediately that he remembered that night as well as she did.

“Virginia Weasley,” he said finally in a voice that suggested that he was stating a fact.

His face had become impassive and Ginny couldn’t tell if he were even anxious or anguished in any way. However, she masked her face as well with the look of triumph, even though she was feeling perhaps even more nervous than he was. She had never done anything like this. Hogwarts sure never taught me anything, she thought sarcastically.

“We meet again, Draco,” she said, keeping her voice as even as Draco.

His eyes flickered toward her necklace again and then at Molly. Ginny knew that even with the features Molly had inherited from Ginny herself, Molly Weasley’s Malfoy heritage was undeniable. Although a smirk was playing at his lips, she could see that Draco was thinking.

“Do you have an appointment?” he asked.

Of all the things Ginny expected him to say, it definitely was not that. “No,” she replied. “But-” and then she caught the hint. “Why yes, I made one for this evening. Your secretary said that it would be possible for me to have a…er…private meeting with you…” As if THAT is going to happen, Ginny thought as she looked hesitantly back at the butler and then at the woman on Draco’s lap, who had her arms tightly wound around Draco’s neck still. She looked even more elegant than her picture on the newspaper, which was saying a lot. And the stunning outfit she was wearing immediately made Ginny feel shabby and stupid.

Colette Atort, Ginny thought, putting her hands on Molly’s shoulders instinctively and squeezing them for reassurance, although she thought that she actually needed more assurance than her daughter.

The fiancée of Draco’s eyes narrowed. “Really,” she said, looking from Draco to Ginny as she slowly disentangled herself from Draco. “I definitely do not recall such a mention of a meeting this evening, Draco. Can this matter not wait until tomorrow?”

“This is a private matter between Mr. Augustus and I,” said Ginny. “I hope you’ll understand that this matter cannot wait.”

“I happen to be his fiancée, Miss…Weasley is it, and I feel that I would have the right to know why another woman would demand to see my husband-to-be so urgently. Can this not wait until tomorrow?”

Draco was about to say something, but it was Molly who spoke up. Turning to her mother, she said, “Mommy, why was this woman hugging Daddy before?”

~*~

Molly might as well have dropped a bomb. “Daddy?” repeated Colette, her beautiful face twisted by horror. “Draco, this is absolutely outrageous. This girl is claiming that you are her father?”

My WHAT? Draco’s mouth opened slightly, feeling as if he’d swallowed a lemon. My daughter? He didn’t know what to think. True, he did suspect that when Ginny had come in with that girl, but he didn’t think…. You did, a voice in his head said sternly. You knew. Why else would she look so much like a Malfoy? Draco had to admit that yes, Molly did resemble his mother a lot, especially with the golden hair and her endearing eyes. And he doubted if his father could have sired this girl.

“Colette, listen,” he said weakly, cursing Ginny Weasley with all his heart. “Listen to me. This is a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding?” Colette snorted as she stood up, dusting her elegant suit. “I have doubts, but I certainly hope so. There is absolutely no way that you could have sired a daughter. Why, she doesn’t even resemble you.” Which isn’t quite true, Draco thought. “Get out of here, you slut!” Colette yelled to Ginny. “And never come back!”

Ginny’s face flushed. Draco saw her brown eyes narrow. “Ginny-” he tried to stop her, but the legendary Weasley temper erupted.

“Miss Colette Françoise Atort,” Ginny said, anger evident in her tone. “I believe that it may be better if you are informed as well, then. Whether you want to believe it or not, since it isn’t up to you to decide the paternity of my daughter, your fiancé is indeed the father of my daughter!”

“C’est impossible!” shouted Colette. “Draco, tell her that she is wrong.”

Draco’s mouth went dry. He indeed wanted to do that as well as Colette clearly wanted to hear it, but he couldn’t. He knew perfectly well that there was a large chance that he was the girl’s father. “Colette, listen,” he said, putting a hand on her shaking shoulder to calm her down, but she shook him off. “Listen to me…”

She whipped around, fury flaring in her blue eyes. “So she is your daughter?” she spat. “Well, I had always thought of you as…more or less a virgin.” At that, Ginny rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “You lied to me.” She snatched up her fancy handbag and straightened out her brown curls. “You better have an explanation for this, Draco Augustus,” she said as she stormed toward the door. Then she turned to look at Ginny and the girl. “And you,” she said, her voice dangerously cold. “You better wish you’ve never been born.”

Ginny did not flinch at these words. “What happened to your aristocratic manners?” she asked mockingly.

“Tais-toi!” shrieked Colette, storming out of the office. Her high heels could soon be heard, clicking, as Colette stomped toward the elevator.

Draco closed his eyes, shaking with dread. When he opened them, he saw the butler still standing in the same place, his face awed and surprised. “Well, Pierre?” he barked, pointing at the door. “Miss Weasley and I have an appointment.”

With a scared look, the butler hurried out of the office as quickly as his legs could carry him.

Draco sank back into his chair. “Virginia Weasley,” he finally spoke through clenched teeth. “What is the meaning of this?”

“The news is six years late,” she said. “But better late than never, don’t you agree?” Ginny gently pushed her daughter forward. “Molly, go and give Daddy a hug.”

Molly lingered hesitantly. “I’m scared,” she said. “He seems so mad and mean.”

Ginny glared at Draco. “She has been worshipping you ever since she could talk, Draco Malfoy,” she said in a voice that could’ve sounded sweeter had it not been so scornful. “Very nice impression you’ve left her.” In a gentler tone, she told Molly, “Go on, honey; Daddy is just tired.”

Molly went up to Draco and on tiptoes put her arms tentatively around Draco. Draco caught Ginny’s warning glance, but she didn’t need to. The little girl worked her magic for him. He felt his arms go automatically around the girl who, after all, was his daughter. Inside his mind, a voice was screaming. What are the chances of conceiving a baby? Draco smirked wryly to himself. Guess I got lucky.

He didn’t like the news any better, however. As much as his heart unwillingly softened toward Molly, he wished that Ginny had never shown up with the news. Molly finally broke free of the hug with a huge smile on her face. “Wait till I tell Lily!” she said happily. “Do you have a lot of presents for me?”

Ginny cut in. “Of course, sweetie,” she said. “Daddy brought a lot of presents, but they are at his house. Now sweetie,” she said, conjuring up a mini television and setting it on a couch on the other side of the office. “Go and watch your favorite cartoon, sweetheart. Daddy and I need to talk.”

Molly happily skipped off toward the couch, but not before she gave Draco a last big grin. Draco felt himself smiling back at the obvious innocent childishness of the little girl. “I’m surprised,” Ginny’s voice cut through his thoughts. “I thought you would act mean and deny.”

“I wish I could,” said Draco. “But where else could the girl have gotten her beautiful Malfoy eyes? From Potter?” He snorted. “But that does not mean that I like your news any better. If you know what’s good for yourself, I suggest you keep it to yourself.” He paused. “I didn’t exactly appreciate the way you broke it to my fiancée.”

“I am sorry about that, but as you remember, she happened to start it,” said Ginny coolly, conjuring up a chair for her. “And I’m not here for small talk either.”

Draco heaved a sigh. “Name a sum,” he said. “I will pay for all the fees Molly might have cost you and your family.”

Ginny sighed. “Draco, what Molly needs isn’t a mound or heap of Galleons,” she said softly. “What she needs is a father. Someone who can be there for her birthdays, for holidays, for all special occasions when she might need him. She needs someone to read bedtime stories to her-”

“And I’m supposed to be the candidate for that?” Draco rolled his eyes. “Go make an appointment with Saint Potter. He’d love to.”

“He and Ron happened to have done that for the past five years,” said Ginny coldly. “But even Harry has his own family to tend to, don’t you agree? And I believe it’s your responsibility, since half of your genes made Molly.”

“And I’m supposedly going to be a good father,” said Draco dryly.

“I should hope so,” Ginny said. “But on second thought, you can give Molly both money and a father. Goodness knows I need to repay some of my family’s debts.” Her face darkened at the mention of her family. Draco didn’t want to think about what might’ve caused the reaction. He would feel guilty. And Malfoys do not feel guilt.

“Is that all you want?” asked Draco. “Or do you want something else?” Ginny smiled. “What else do you want, then?” demanded Draco.

“You,” replied Ginny simply.

Draco frowned at her. “Me?” he said. “What? Why?”

“I want you to marry me, that’s what,” said Ginny. “I think it’s only proper that Molly has a legitimate father.”

This is ridiculous. “Virginia Weasley,” Draco said very slowly. “I think you are perfectly aware of the fact that I am about to be married.”

“Yes,” Ginny answered. “To the violent Frenchwoman whom I have just observed in the act.”

“Then you would understand why it’s impossible that I would oblige to that order,” said Draco. “It’s already all over the newspapers and magazines, the news of the upcoming marriage.”

“With a person whom you, I assume, do not love for who she is, but for the wealth she possess,” added Ginny sardonically.

“And Virginia, need I remind you that I do not love you any more, and that you do not even have the attraction of wealth that Colette happens to have?” said Draco.

Ginny grinned, not exactly the response Draco expected. “Then how about let’s make a bet?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.

~*~

“A bet?” Draco looked perplexed.

“In which either I blackmail you or you at least give me the permission to try and seduce you,” explained Ginny. She waited for Draco’s reaction. That was actually an unexpected twist to the whole situation. Everybody else had made it seem so easy, as if Draco would greet she and Molly with open arms and propose at first sight.

But currently Ginny didn’t want to marry Draco just so she could divorce and insult him. Now that she thought about it, she realized how much Molly truly needed Draco, not as a piggybank, but as a father. She saw how joyous it made Molly to just hug Draco, a father who had been furious just moments before. And she certainly could not forget the looks of longing on Molly’s faces whenever Harry and Ron come to visit with their children. It’s not just about me getting revenge, Ginny thought, thinking how devastated Molly would be if she indeed did insult Draco by doing that.

Of course, Draco was the last person she would’ve chosen to be Molly’s father. Even Colin Creevy would’ve been more suitable had he not married already to Anna Blanca, a Muggle friend of his. All Draco was capable of doing was to smirk, say mean things, and smirk some more, as far as Ginny was concerned with. She would’ve never guessed nor thought in her wildest dreams that she would be begging and forcing Draco to marry her. “This is retarded,” she muttered softly to herself.

Draco seemed to be doing some thinking of his own. “And what will you blackmail me with?” he spoke in a taunting tone. “That you had sex with me and we produced a child?”

Ginny looked straight into his gray eyes. “Not exactly,” she said. “I happen to know a few Death Eaters, former ones shall I say, who would love to learn about your whereabouts, since your father’s departure nearly send them to the dementors in Azkaban. I assure you that they won’t treat you like a king.”

It worked. Draco’s face blanched even more if such was possible. “And how do you propose that you seduce me?” he asked.

“That’s for me to know and for you to find out,” Ginny said. “If I can’t make you like me by the time of your wedding…then I’ll go back to Britain and never show up again, as long as you pay for Molly’s tuition.”

“And if I do fall in love with you?”

It was Ginny’s turn to roll her eyes. “That’s kind of obvious, isn’t it?” she said.

Draco nodded reluctantly. “I have to marry you.” A hard look settled in his eyes. “But I won’t fall in love with you, Virginia.”

“We’ll see, won’t we?” said Ginny. “Molly, we’re going!”

Molly came running over and gave Draco another big hug. When they broke apart, Ginny looked at Draco’s gray eyes carefully. The message they held was clear. He wasn’t about to lose the bet.

“Goodbye, Virginia. Goodbye, Molly,” said Draco.

“Bye, Daddy!” cried Molly as she and Ginny started to exit. But when they reached the door, Ginny looked back at him again. She knew that he saw the same message in her eyes. I am not about to lose, either.

A/N: Before I start burning from the flames you’ll send (and trust me, I despise flamers), I want to make one thing clear: the previous and this chapter have been criticized mostly heavily at FFN (but the reviewers are mostly civilized in doing so) and I know that you may think it’s lame/characterization off/whatever. I will revise the story when I have the time or energy, and some of the little details here may contribute to the big picture, so no presumptions here, please.

Here are the things others have criticized me on:

Ginny being a horrible mother—exposing daughter to possible danger

Draco accepting everything so soon

The Bet very clichéd

Feeling sorry for Colette

I welcome reviews and c/c’s that hasn’t been listed above. Thank you.

D/G interaction coming

Katie