It's Never That Simple

It’s Never That Simple

Chapter One

“God damn it, Draco, you can’t just strut back into my life and expect me to forgive you,” Ginny yelled furiously, her hair falling out of the elegant chignon that had taken her hours to perfect.

“I know I made a mistake, Ginny,” Draco said calmly, “but-”

“Made a mistake?” Ginny whispered disbelievingly. “ Made a mistake?!” she shrieked. “You practically broke a rib from laughing as you tore my heart out and stomped all over it!”

“You didn’t use to be so poetic, Ginevra,” Draco replied thoughtfully. “What else have the years done to you?”

“Shut up,” Ginny snapped. “You don’t know me as well as you think you do.” She turned to leave the room, but stopped when he called after her.

“I know you aren’t happy,” Draco said quietly.

Ginny turned around slowly, her arms crossed over her chest. “And what gives you that impression?” she asked coldly, daring him to go further.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he said, raising an eyebrow in a way that used to make her knees melt. Now all it did was succeed in fueling her anger.

“I will have you know,” she began slowly through clenched teeth, “that I happen to be the happiest I have ever been in my life.”

Draco studied her for a moment, then said quietly, so quietly she had to strain to hear him, “You were happy with me.”

***

“Are you ready, love? The guests are beginning to arrive.”

“Almost,” Ginny Weasley, soon to be Ginny Warren, called back. She put the finishing touches on her hair, and stood up, admiring her reflection in the full length mirror. She was wearing a black floor-length dress with a slit that reached to mid-thigh, barely avoiding the point of indecency. It gathered at the left shoulder, leaving the right shoulder bare. She nodded with satisfaction, and went to meet her fiancé.

“You look beautiful, darling,” Steve said as Ginny approached him. She blushed as he kissed her on the cheek, then offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

Ginny nodded, and he led her to the ballroom of the five star hotel.

***

Draco Malfoy was far from perfect and the relationship they had shared had been a total disaster from the start.

“What’re you doing here?” Draco asked as he entered his private room at Hogwarts.

Ginny turned around from her perusal of his desk and stared at him. “What do you mean, what am I doing here?” she asked, keeping her voice purposefully casual.

“I mean,” Draco said slowly, “that you don’t usually come on a weeknight, and while I know I’m simply irresistible, I do have a rather large Transfiguration test tomorrow.”

“I thought you might want to see me tonight,” she said coyly, looking at him earnestly.

Draco gave her a once over. “I’m not really in the mood.”

Ginny stared at him in disbelief. “I didn’t mean for a shag!” she shrieked in indignation. “How dare you assume-”

Draco stared at her in confusion. “Weasley,” Draco said slowly, “all we do is shag.”

“I thought I might mean more to you than a shag,” she said dispiritedly.

“Oh, Ginny girl,” Draco said tenderly, gathering her in his arms. “You’re not just a shag.”

“Really?” Ginny asked hopefully, her eyes shining.

“Of course not. You’re a bloody fantastic shag.”

“Draco!” Ginny exclaimed, pushing him away furiously.

“What?” he asked, completely confused.

She sighed in annoyance. “Don’t you know what today is?”

He hesitated before answering. “Tuesday,” he said confidently.

And then she slapped him. Hard.

“Bloody fuck, Weasley! What the hell was that for?” he yelled angrily, his cheek already starting to turn red.

“It’s Valentine’s Day, you bloody wanker!” Ginny shrieked furiously.

“So?” Draco retorted petulantly.

“So,” Ginny hissed. “We’ve been together for a month.”

“Valentine’s Day is for people in love, Weasley. We aren’t in love. We’re in lust,” Draco explained patiently.

“No, you unbearable prick, Valentine’s Day is for people in a relationship.”

“We’re not in a relationship,” Draco said coldly.

“Too right,” Ginny growled. “Because if we were in a relationship, I would actually be able to be in the same room as you without vomiting!” she yelled furiously, the last word coming out as a high-pitched scream.

“Then maybe you had better leave,” Draco sneered. “God knows I wouldn’t want to make the House Elves clean up Weasley vomit. Even I’m not that cruel.”

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

Ginny stormed out of Draco’s room. Draco seized a vase and threw it at the wall.

***

Steve Warren was a Muggle lawyer from the States. He had dark hair and blue eyes (the kind you can drown in, Ginny would often say to her friends with a sigh), and a contagious smile that never failed to make Ginny want to laugh (which got relatively annoying when all she wanted was to be miffed at him). They had met at a Muggle book store three years ago when Ginny had been looking for a book for Hermione’s birthday - apparently, after having read all the books in the wizarding world she was attempting to conquer the Muggle literacy world as well (as if that was really necessary, Ginny complained to herself as she entered the store). Later, Ginny thanked Hermione and bought her three more books off her list.

After two years of serious dating, Ginny told Steve that she was a witch and he asked her to move in with him. She agreed. A year later, he asked Ginny to marry him, and once again, she agreed. And while Steve often expressed his feelings, Ginny had a harder time. Steve had always understood.

She hadn’t always had this much trouble admitting her feelings. In fact, there was a time when she had been completely open and honest with them. Things, however, often change.

***

“Ginny, I’d like you to meet my Aunt Emily and Uncle Roger. Aunt Emily, Uncle Roger, this is my fiancée, Ginevra Weasley,” Steve said with a smile.

Ginny smiled and shook hands with Steve’s elderly relatives. She felt like she had been introduced to every person above the age of fifty in the world in the past hour, and her face was starting to feel like she had a coat hanger in her mouth from all the smiling.

“I’m so pleased to meet you,” Ginny said kindly. “Steve has told me so much about you.” Steve’s aunt and uncle beamed. They chatted for a while before the couple made their excuses and walked away.

“How many more people do we have to meet?” Ginny asked as she unscrewed her smile. “My face is killing me.”

Steve laughed. “Can I get you anything?”

“Alcohol,” Ginny groaned, causing Steve to laugh again as he walked away. “And lots of it!” she called after him with a smile.

“May I have this dance, Ms. Weasley?” Ginny turned around and a genuine smile spread over her face.

“Why, of course, Mr. Potter,” she said and let Harry escort her to the dance floor. “I haven’t seen you in ages,” she complained as he twirled her around. “Where have you been?”

“Oh, here and there,” he said mysteriously. Ginny laughed. Harry never told anyone where he went when he disappeared for long periods of time. “So, how’re the wedding plans coming along?”

“Oh, well, you know…” Ginny said, trailing off. Harry felt her stiffen in his arms.

“Ginny?” he asked, concern etched onto his face, as he stilled their movements. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Ginny responded after a second’s hesitation. Her voice sounded higher than usual. “I’m perfectly fine. I’ve just remember that I have to take care of something. Can you tell Steve that I’ll be back to meet the rest of his family soon?” And before Harry could respond, she was walking away.

When Harry followed her path with his eyes, he immediately saw the source of her discomfort at the door to the grand ballroom. Draco Malfoy stood with his hands in his pockets, waiting for Ginny to come to him.

***

Ginny’s hand made a satisfying crack as it firmly connected with Draco’s cheek.

“You bastard,” Ginny hissed angrily.

“Hello, Ginevra,” Draco said, rubbing a hand over his sore cheek. He was completely nonplussed by the way sparks were shooting from her eyes.

“Don’t you ‘hello’ me, Draco Malfoy,” Ginny hissed furiously. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Draco gave her an exasperated look. “Isn’t it quite obvious, Ginny?” he asked quietly.

“Apparently not,” Ginny seethed, tapping her foot impatiently.

Draco gave her a wry smile. “I’m here to rescue you.”

Ginny laughed mirthlessly. “I thought rescuing people wasn’t your style.”

***

“Draco?” Ginny asked as they lay in his bed in his private Head Boy chambers at Hogwarts.

“Mmm?” Draco asked, his fingers idly playing with her hair.

“I need to tell you something.”

“Then tell me,” Draco replied nonchalantly.

Ginny turned away from him, not able to look him in the eyes. She buried her face in her pillow and mumbled something Draco didn’t quite catch.

“Ginny girl, if you need to tell me something, perhaps you should talk to me, not the pillow,” Draco said, a hint of exasperation in his voice, as he attempted to make her face him.

“I said,” Ginny said louder this time, her voice still slightly muffled by the pillow, “that I love you.”

All the blood rushed out of Draco’s head. Had she just said what he thought she had just said?

“What?” Draco said as calmly as he could.

Ginny turned to face him, her face red. “I love you, Draco.”

Draco stared wonderingly at her for a moment before he got up and began searching for his pants.

“Say something,” Ginny pleaded, pulling the heavy comforter tighter around her.

“You want me to say something?” Draco asked coldly as he pulled his shirt on. Ginny nodded. “Fine. Who the hell do you think I am, Ginny?” When Ginny didn’t respond he continued. “This isn’t real, Ginny. None of it is. Everything we’ve been doing for the past year is a complete and total lie. You don’t love me…”

“Yes I do!” Ginny interrupted, beginning to cry.

“…and I certainly don’t love you,” Draco continued as if Ginny had never spoken.

Silence filled the room as Draco’s emphatic rejection sunk in. After a moment, a rough sob filled the air. Ginny scrambled out of his bed and began to get dressed, not bothering to put everything on, just the bare essentials. The faster she got out, the better off she’d be. She was stupid to get involved with Draco Malfoy to begin with.

“Did you think I was your knight in shining armor, Ginny girl?” Draco asked quietly. Ginny heard something in his voice that she couldn’t quite place. “Because I’m not. I can’t rescue you from anything, and frankly, I don’t want to.”

As Ginny ran from his room, her tears pouring down her face, she realized what she had heard in his voice: pleasure, as he broke her heart.

***

“It’s not like that anymore, Ginny girl,” Draco said. His eyes were pleading and Ginny took a certain amount of pleasure in denying him the one thing he wanted.

“Don’t ever call me that again,” Ginny said coldly.

“I love you,” he said quietly.

Ginny laughed. “You don’t love me, Draco,” she said calmly.

“Yes I do,” he replied fervently. “I’ve always loved you.”

Ginny shook her head. “You never loved me,” she explained tiredly. “You loved what I gave you. You loved the power you had over me. You loved the fact that I was yours, the littlest Weasley. It was the ultimate revenge, even if no one knew, and you loved the thrill it gave you. You loved that everything we did was right under the noses of Saint Potter and the Weasel King, and you loved the fact that if your father ever found out what you were doing with me, even if you told him it was only to spy on Harry, that he would be so fucking pissed off he’d want to kill you. But you never loved me, Draco.”

“That may have been true then,” Draco said, moving to stand right in front of her, “but I swear on my honor as a Malfoy that I am telling you the truth. I love you, Ginny, and I want to be with you.”

Ginny stared disbelievingly at him. “Why are you telling me this now? It’s been five years, Draco, and you pick tonight, the night I am celebrating my engagement to another man, to come back into my life and destroy the one thing that has given me a semblance of happiness since you broke my heart.”

“Then you’re not happy?” Draco asked hopefully.

“Of course I’m not happy, you bloody wanker! I’m about to marry a man that loves me more than anything else in the world and I can’t even bring myself to tell him that I love him back. And do you know why, Draco? Because I gave my heart to you five years ago, and you broke it. There’s nothing left to give him, and that’s your fucking fault! It’s your fault that I will never be happy again. So go! Get out of my life and don’t come back. I never want to see you again.” Ginny knew she was crying but she couldn’t stop.

“Ginny,” Draco said, a pained expression on his face. He tried to wrap his arms around her but she pushed him away. “I love you, Ginny.”

“No,” Ginny said firmly, although her voice cracked. “I hate you, Draco Malfoy. I hate you.”

She fled from the room, tears still pouring down her cheeks.

***

“Ginny!” Harry exclaimed as she collided with his chest. Ginny attempted to stem the flow of tears that was successfully soaking Harry’s shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked worriedly, trying to get a good look at her. “Did he hurt you? I swear to God, I will kill that bastard if he laid a finger on you!” Harry threatened dangerously.

“No,” she managed to get out. “He didn’t hurt me. I just…” she trailed off and looked hopelessly over her shoulder at the room from which she had just fled.

“Gin,” Harry said quietly, “Steve’s looking for you.” Ginny seemed to snap back into reality. She whipped around to stare at Harry, her eyes as large as Quaffles.

“Harry,” she said pleadingly. “Can you tell him that I’ll be back in a minute? I just need redo my makeup and hair.”

“Ginny, you need to tell him. It’s not fair to lie to him.”

“Just tell him for me, please, Harry.”

Harry nodded and Ginny rushed off to make herself presentable once again.

***

“Ginny!” Steve exclaimed as Ginny reentered the ballroom, a smile plastered on her face. “Where have you been? I was worried about you. Harry thought he’d seen you go off…” Steve trailed away. “What’s wrong, Gin?”

Ginny opened her mouth to assure him that nothing was wrong, and that she had just needed a break, but the look of utter concern in his eyes stopped her. She closed her mouth and started again. “Do you remember that bloke I told you about?” she said quietly, guiding him into a corner of the ballroom where they wouldn’t be disturbed.

Steve nodded, his expression suddenly guarded. “Well, he showed up here tonight, and I just had a bit of a chat with him. It was nothing serious, but it upset me a little.” Ginny gave him a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s really nothing to be worried about, Steve.”

He sighed. “Ginny, I think we need to talk.”

***

Steve ran a hand through his hair. Oddly enough, it reminded Ginny of Draco. She shook her head to clear it.

“Ginny,” he began, then stopped. He started pacing the room. Mid-pace he stopped and stared at her curiously. “I love you.”

Ginny smiled. “I know, Steve.”

“Do you love me?” he asked carefully. He struggled to keep his expression blank.

Draco never had to struggle to keep his emotions hidden, some part of Ginny’s brain commented. She told it to shut up.

“You know that I do,” Ginny said, trying to put her arms around him. He held her away.

“Then say it.” Ginny stared at him in confusion, and he sighed again. “If you love me enough to marry me and spend the rest of your life with me, then I need to hear you say it.”

Ginny tried to say it, she really did. Three words. It was simple, really. People all over the world say them to loved ones everyday. But things were never simple for Ginny. The last time she had told someone that she loved him, her world had come crashing down around her. And somehow, no matter how much she cared for Steve, she would cherish that pain more than any amount of love he could ever give her. And he knew it.

“I can’t,” Ginny whispered, tears coming to her eyes once more.

Steve smiled. “I know,” he said quietly, wiping her tears away with his thumb. “Ginny, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. But it’s not fair to either one of us to go through with this wedding. I can’t live the rest of my live knowing that my wife would rather be with another man, and you can’t live the rest of your life knowing that your husband is not the man you love.”

Ginny nodded. It truly wasn’t fair. “I’m so sorry, Steve.”

Steve smiled sadly. “Me too,” he said simply.

***

It was raining outside, and Ginny’s elegantly re-styled hair was beyond hope at this point. She had been walking around in the rain for half an hour, trying to find Draco. Instinct told her that he hadn’t gone far. He was a Malfoy, and Malfoys didn’t give up on the things they wanted that easily.

Steve had told Ginny to go after Draco and make things right with him. He had insisted that he would be fine dealing with all the guests. A simple white lie would do. Ginny wasn’t feeling well and went to bed early. Then, in a few days, they would announce that they were breaking off the engagement for mutual reasons, and that they planned on remaining good friends.

Ginny sighed. What had happened to her? Yesterday she was engaged and happy. And today she was wandering around the streets of London, looking for a man that had broken her heart five years ago. And, she was soaking wet.

She was about to Apparate home when she saw a figure in the distance. It seemed to be a man, and although she couldn’t make out his features at all, she was positive that it was Draco. He was leaning against a lamppost, a halo of light surrounding him. She moved closer until she was standing just inside the circle of light.

***

Draco had been wandering around the streets of London for the past hour. Not wanting anyone that might know who he was to see him, he had taken the chance and Apparated into the garden of the hotel. After that, he didn’t really have anywhere to go. So, he had begun to wander. Somehow, he had ended up in front of a streetlight and, having nowhere else to go and nothing else to do, he simply stayed there.

When he felt someone approaching him, he ignored them, thinking it was yet another drunk, like the other five that had passed him this evening. When the person stopped right behind him, however, Draco turned around, never expecting to see Ginny.

They stared at each other for a moment, then Ginny spoke.

“This doesn’t mean that I forgive you, Draco,” she said firmly.

Draco gave her a half-smile that made her knees melt. “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he said as he held out his hand for her. Cautiously, she placed her hand in his and he pulled her into his arms. Ginny immediately relaxed into his embrace.

“I love you, Ginny girl,” he murmured.

Ginny sighed and raised her face to his in a silent request, and when he kissed her, she could taste the rain on his lips.

It’s Never That Simple

Chapter Two

Ginny fidgeted nervously in her chair. She stared from the desk in front of her, to the wall, out the window, and back to the desk. She drummed her fingers on her purse and checked her watch. She had never been a patient person.

It had been three days since Draco and walked back into her life, and she was more nervous right now than she had been when she had first seen him standing in the entrance to the ballroom. Ginny and Steve had decided to tell their respective parents that the wedding was off tonight, but that only accounted for a third of her overall nerves.

“Miss Weasley,” a voice said as the door to the office opened. Ginny immediately snapped to attention, her eyes focused on the folder in Healer Finley’s hand. “I have the results of your test.”

“And?” Ginny asked, too nervous for the normal pleasantries.

The woman gave her a big smile. “Congratulations, Miss Weasley. You’re pregnant.”

“Bloody hell,” Ginny swore under her breath. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you completely sure? Did you double-check?”

“Of course I double-checked. I know this can be scary,” the Healer said kindly, leaning against the desk in front of Ginny. “But you’re going to be a mother. It’s a cause for celebration. Do you know who the father is?” the Healer asked delicately after a pause.

Ginny laughed. She was slowly entering hysterics. “Trust me, Healer Finley,” Ginny said tiredly, “that’s the least of my worries.”

“I often find that the best place to start is telling the father. Then the two of you need to decided how you want to work things out. Most couples decide to get married, but that’s completely up to you.”

“I don’t think marriage is really on the table,” Ginny said, chewing her bottom lip.

“I don’t mean to pry, Miss Weasley, but if he hurt you or-”

“No,” Ginny interrupted firmly. “No, he was always perfect. It’s just,” Ginny hesitated for a second then plunged forward. “I’m seeing someone else right now.”

Healer Finley sighed. “Miss Weasley, I don’t mean to tell you what to do, but you’re about to bring a child into the world. You have to think about what’s best for the baby.”

***

Ginny knocked on the door to Steve’s flat nervously.

“Who is it?” he called from inside.

“It’s Ginny,” Ginny called back. Her voice sounded tight and tense even to her own ears.

Steve opened the door. “Is something wrong?” he asked concernedly. “I thought we weren’t meeting up until tonight.”

“There’s been a slight change in plans. Can I come in?” Ginny asked, not waiting for a reply and walking right past him into the living room and taking a seat on the couch. “You might want to sit down.”

After Steve had taken a seat on the couch next to her, Ginny took a deep breath and tried to smile. “I have some news.”

“Okay,” Steve said slowly. “What is it?”

Ginny took a deep breath and looked him square in the eyes. “I’m pregnant,” she said bluntly.

Steve stared at her for a minute. He opened his mouth, closed it, and attempted to swallow. It took a few tries. “You’re,” he tried to say, but it came out more as a squeak. He cleared his throat. “You’re pregnant?” he asked, hoping that he had heard her wrong.

Ginny nodded. “I’m pregnant,” she repeated.

“Why are you telling me?” Steve asked, standing up and starting to pace. “We aren’t together anymore, Ginny. I’m not part of this…this…” He waved his arms around, unable to find a word to describe their current situation.

“I’m telling you,” Ginny said slowly. “Because you’re the father.”

He stared at her suspiciously. “Are you sure it’s mine?” he asked cautiously. “I mean, you have been living with another man for the past three days.”

“For your information,” Ginny said, a blush rising to her cheeks. “Draco and I have not slept together yet. So, yes, I am one hundred percent positive that it’s yours,” she snapped, her temper beginning to rise. “And frankly, Steve, I don’t really know what to do.”

Steve sighed and sat down on the couch next to her. “I want to be involved in my child’s life. You owe me that at least.”

“I want you to be involved.” She took a deep breath, steeling herself to say what she knew she had to say. “And that’s why I think we should get married.”

Her idea was met with silence. After a few hour-long seconds, she snuck a glance at him. He was staring at her, completely shocked.

“But what about you and Draco?” Steve asked. “I thought you were going to try to work things out.”

“We were going to,” Ginny said softly. “But things are different now. I can’t just think about myself. This child deserves to grow up in a family that loves it, with both its parents nearby. I don’t want my child to grow up in a broken family, Steve,” Ginny said, her voice cracking.

“Ginny,” Steve said quietly, gathering her in his arms. “This is crazy.”

“It’s not like we would have to tell anyone,” Ginny sniffled. “Everyone already thinks we’re engaged.”

Steve laughed awkwardly. “That is true, but marriage, Ginny? What about all the things we talked about?”

“We’re bringing a child into this world. We have to do what’s best for the baby,” she responded, her voice echoing the healer’s words.

Steve sighed. “If you’re sure that’s what you want-”

“I am,” Ginny interrupted firmly.

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Steve said with a smile. “I still love you, Ginny.”

Ginny nodded. Now all she had to do was tell Draco.

***

“Draco?” Ginny called out, tossing her purse on the kitchen table. “Draco, we need to talk.”

“I’ll be out in a minute,” Draco called.

Ginny sighed and sat down on the couch, tapping her foot anxiously. A few minutes later, Draco came into the room, his hair still damp.

“ I was just getting out of the shower.” Draco leaned down and kissed Ginny in greeting. “Where did you go this morning?” he asked sitting down on the couch next to her.

Ginny smiled weakly. What she wouldn’t give for this to be over! “I have some bad news.” Draco tensed but didn’t say anything. This was going to be harder than she thought. “I’m…er…I’m…not moving in.”

Draco gave her a little smile. “That’s not that bad, Ginny girl. But until you find your own place, you’re staying here. I don’t mind sleeping on the couch.”

Ginny fidgeted nervously. “I already have a place to live,” she said quietly.

“Okay,” Draco said slowly, clearly not understanding why this was such bad news. “Do you want me to help you move?” Ginny shook her head. “What exactly is going on, Gin? Is that all you wanted to talk about?” Ginny shook her head. “For God’s sake, Ginny, spit it out!” Draco exclaimed irritably.

“I love you,” Ginny said quickly, looking him straight in the eyes.

Draco laughed. “Should I be insulted that you think that’s bad news?”

“That’s not the bad news. The thing is…” Ginny stared at him intently for a moment.

“Ginny?” Draco asked curiously. “What’s wrong?”

Ginny shook her head and smiled. “Nothing.”

She leaned forward and kissed him, her hands going to the buttons on his shirt.

“Ginny,” Draco said, pulling away, his hands stilling hers. “I thought you wanted to wait.”

Ginny shook her head, still smiling slightly. “I don’t want to wait anymore. I want you.”

“But, Gin-”

“Shut up, Draco.”

***

When it was over, they lay in Draco’s bed, breathing heavily and holding each other. It wasn’t long before Draco realized Ginny was crying.

“Ginny?” he asked worriedly, pulling back to look at her. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

Ginny shook her head and tried to stop crying. “You were perfect,” she said through her tears.

“Then what’s wrong?” He pulled her closer to him and tried to comfort her.

“We can’t do this again.”

“Well, maybe not right now, but give me a couple minutes, and-”

Ginny shook her head. “No, Draco. I mean, this,” she gestured with her hands. She pulled away and began searching for her clothes. Not able to find her own, she grabbed one of Draco’s button ups and pulled it on.

“What do you mean?” Draco asked carefully, getting out of bed and pulling on a pair of pajama pants.

“Draco, I’m marrying Steve.”

Draco stared at her. “I thought you said that you both decided to call off the wedding,” he said slowly, and Ginny could feel the fury wrap itself around him.

“We were going to, but things are different now.”

“How?” Draco all but snarled.

“Draco, you’re not making this any easier for me!” Ginny exclaimed tearfully.

“That’s not exactly my job, Ginny! About an hour ago you told me you loved me, and now you’re telling me you’re about to marry another man!” Draco yelled furiously.

“I told you, things are different now!”

“How?” Draco asked again.

“I’m pregnant, okay?” Ginny yelled back, her face bright red.

Draco stared at her, completely in shock, and swallowed visibly. “When?” he asked, his voice tense.

“I found out this morning,” Ginny said miserably, sinking into Draco’s reading chair.

“And I suppose Steve is the father?” Draco remarked to himself, which earned him a glare from Ginny. “I don’t care if you’re pregnant. I love you, and that’s all that matters to me,” Draco said earnestly, coming to in front of her.

“It’s not that simple,” Ginny said quietly. “Steve wants to be involved, and he deserves to be involved.”

“I don’t care,” Draco said again, cupping her face in his hands. “I just want to be with you, Ginny girl.”

“And I want to be with you, but I refuse to raise this baby in a broken home. It doesn’t deserve that. Steve and I are having a child together. We need to at least attempt to make things work.”

“But, Gin-”

“Listen Draco, what if I do give us a chance and it doesn’t work out? If Steve and I don’t get married and he gets transferred back to the States, then I’m stuck raising this child all by myself. I can’t get a job to support myself and a baby, and raise the baby at the same time. That’s not fair to me or the baby.”

“Ginny, we will work out.”

Ginny shook her head sadly. “You don’t know that, Draco. We didn’t work out last time.”

“We’ll make it work,” Draco said earnestly.

“No. That’s it, Draco. It’s over.”

***

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” Ginny murmured. “Oh God, that feels amazing.” They were lying on the couch in Draco’s living room and Draco was rubbing Ginny’s feet.

“Draco? If it was yours, would you want a boy or a girl?”

“Ginny, don’t do this to me,” Draco whispered.

“Please, Draco. Let’s just pretend,” Ginny pleaded, shifting so that she was lying against his chest.

“Okay,” Draco said quietly, unable to resist her.

“So, boy or girl,” she prompted happily.

Draco smiled into Ginny’s hair as he wrapped his arms around her. “Well, if we were married, I would need a son to carry on the family name.”

Ginny snorted and muttered something along the lines of “stupid Malfoy traditions.”

“But,” Draco continued, ignoring her, “I would love a little girl that I could spoil rotten.”

Ginny laughed. “Draco, you’d probably spoil a little boy rotten too.”

“Probably,” Draco admitted, “but it wouldn’t be the same at all.”

“I want a girl,” Ginny said quietly, snuggling closer to Draco.

***

“What do you want for lunch?” Draco called from the kitchen.

“I probably shouldn’t eat too much. Steve and I are going over to the Burrow with his parents tonight.”

Draco stiffened. Sighing heavily, Ginny came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No,” Draco replied tensely. “It’s fine.”

“Draco? I would kill for an ice cream sundae.”

Draco turned around in the circle of her arms and kissed the top of her head. “Your wish is my command.”

***

Later that afternoon, Draco walked Ginny to the door. They had spent the remainder of the afternoon together, whispering proclamations of love to each other, and sometimes simply talking. Neither one of them mentioned Steve, the baby, or the future again.

As the clock on Draco’s wall continued to tick, however, they were both faced with the looming truth that soon, Ginny would have to leave, and then that would be it. They would be over. Their whirlwind romance had lasted all of three days.

“Well,” Ginny said awkwardly, staring into Draco’s eyes. “I guess this is it.” Draco nodded. Ginny kissed him quickly and turned to leave.

“Ginny girl,” Draco called out after her. Ginny turned around and smiled at him. “If you ever need anything…” he trailed off.

“I will,” Ginny said, and left as quickly as she could so he wouldn’t see the tears streaming down her face.

***

“Can I have everyone’s attention, please!” Ginny tried to yell over the noise of her family.

“You lot! Quiet down,” Mrs. Weasley roared. Immediately, silence permeated the room. Mr. and Mrs. Warren looked slightly scandalized. Steve was, after all, an only child and they were not quite used to the hustle and bustle of a large family. “Ginny and Steve have something they want to tell us!”

Ginny looked nervously around the room. Steve stood up next to her and gripped her hand tightly. “As you know,” she began awkwardly. “Steve and I are getting married.” Fred and George let out catcalls causing a smile to rise to Ginny’s face. “Well, we…er…” Ginny trailed off and looked at Steve. He gave her hand a squeezed and took over.

“We’re going to have a baby!” he announced happily.

The room erupted into cheers of congratulations and Ginny and Steve found themselves being squeezed to death by Mrs. Weasley.

“Oh, my little baby is going to have a baby!” she exclaimed happily, tears streaming down her face.

“We’re going to be grandparents, David!” Mrs. Warren exclaimed happily. “Oh, I’m so excited!”

Ginny kept her smile firmly plastered on her face for the rest of the evening. No one noticed that her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. No one, that is, except Steve.

***

“Are you alright, Ginny?” Steve asked as he tossed his keys on the kitchen table.

“I’m fine, just a little tired,” Ginny said moving towards the bedroom.

“Well, considering you spent all afternoon at Draco’s…”

“Please not now, Steve. I’m having a really bad day and all I want to do is go to sleep.”

“You’re having a bad day? Ginny, think of what you’ve put me through in the last three days. And it doesn’t help that I know my fiancée and the mother-to-be of my child was over at her boyfriend’s house all afternoon,” he said testily.

“Steve, I don’t want to argue right now.”

“How do I know that you aren’t going to go back to him?” Steve demanded. “I mean, we’re getting married and you spent all day having sex with your ex. The thing is though, I don’t even know for sure if he really is your ex. ”

Ginny took a deep breath. “You know that I won’t go back to him because I’m telling you, Steve. If I wanted to be with him, I wouldn’t be marrying you.”

“That’s a lie and you know it, Ginny.”

“Listen, Steve, I went over to Draco’s to explain everything to him. I told him that I was pregnant and we were going to get married. And, yes, I did shag him, but I also told him it was over and I never intend to see him again. This baby is more important to me than whatever I might want. And believe it or not, I don’t want to do anything to endanger our relationship. You have been perfect through all of this and you deserve to be involved in your child’s life. And our child deserves to have you in its life. So please cut the crap and let me go to bed!” Ginny huffed before storming into the bedroom and slamming the door shut behind her.

Steve thought it would be safest to sleep on the couch.

***

“Do you, Stephen Warren, take Ginevra Weasley to be your wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for better or for worse, in sadness and in joy, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“And do you, Ginevra Weasley, take Stephen Warren to be your husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for better or for worse, in sadness and in joy, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“Steve, take this ring and place it on Ginny’s finger and repeat after me: With this ring…”

“With this ring…”

“…I thee wed.”

“…I thee wed.”

“Ginny, take this ring and place it on Steve’s finger and repeat after me: With this ring…”

“With this ring…”

“…I thee wed.”

“…I thee wed.”

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

***

“I don’t want to see a Muggle doctor,” Ginny said stubbornly. “I want to use a Healer.”

“But, Ginny,” Steve argued. “I don’t know anything about the magical world and I’m a little skeptical about this whole Healer business.”

“Why on earth are you skeptical? They can mend broken bones in about two seconds!”

“I just don’t like it. I’d feel much more comfortable if you went to see a doctor.”

“Oh really,” Ginny said, her hands on hips. “And who has to shove a mammal out from between her legs?”

Steve stared at her in shock. “Uh, you,” he said uncertainly, wondering where she was going with this.

“Exactly. So I think my comfort level is slightly more important. We’re using a Healer,” she said triumphantly.

In hindsight, Steve thought as they prepared to go to St. Mungo’s, he probably should have seen that one coming.

***

It had taken a while, but Steve was finally used to the Floo Network, granted he used it as little as possible. But this…this was a dire circumstance.

“Molly! Arthur!” Steve yelled out into the Burrow.

“What is it, dear?” Mrs. Weasley asked worriedly as she hurried into the kitchen, Mr. Weasley following closely behind. “Are Ginny and the baby alright?”

“Ginny’s in labor. We’re at St. Mungo’s right now.”

“We’ll be right there, dear,” Mrs. Weasley responded immediately, already donning her traveling cloak.

***

“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Warren. You have a beautiful baby girl,” the Healer said with a smile.

Ginny gave a weak smile and held out her arms for her baby. “Oh, Steve,” she breathed happily. “She’s perfect.”

“She is, isn’t she,” Steve agreed, kissing the top of Ginny’s head.

“Have you two decided on a name yet?”

Ginny nodded happily, unable to tear her eyes away from her beautiful little girl. “Annabelle. Annabelle Belita Warren.”

It’s Never That Simple

Chapter Three

Ginny shivered in the cold night air. It was after midnight and they had just gotten in to Boston, Massachusetts for “Thanksgiving,” a holiday that had something do with British colonists and Native Americans that Ginny still didn’t understand. As little as she understood this American holiday, Ginny did understand that it was important to Steve and since they spent Christmas at the Burrow, she was more than willing to take a plane - “a large broomstick that carries more than one person” was how she explained the Muggle concept to her family - to the States and celebrate with her in-laws.

Six years had passed since Ginny had last seen Draco and, although she sometimes found herself dreaming what life would be like if she hadn’t married Steve, she never truly regretted her decision. Steve loved her and Annabelle and provided for them, and Ginny was comfortable and happy. So what if she wasn’t head over heals in love. Steve was her best friend, and that was enough.

“Steve! Ginny!” Mrs. Warren exclaimed quietly, rushing out of the house.

“Hello, Mom,” Steve said, putting the bag down on the sidewalk to give his mother a hug. “How are you?”

“Oh, I’m fine, dear. Hello, Ginny,” Mrs. Warren said fondly, turning to greet Ginny. “How was your flight?”

Ginny shifted Annabelle to her hip and smiled at her mother-in-law. “Hello, Mum,” Ginny whispered, giving Mrs. Warren a one-armed hug. “It was fine. A bit long, but fine.”

“And is that my little Annabelle?” Mrs. Warren cooed. “Aw, look at the poor dear. She’s fast asleep. Oh, she’s gotten so big.”

“And heavy,” Ginny muttered, shifting her to the other hip.

“Here let me take her,” Steve offered. Ginny handed her over gratefully.

“Well, come inside,” Mrs. Warren said, leading the way inside. “Your father fell asleep in front of the television again. He’s ordered this new program that gets every single ice hockey game. I can barely tear him away from the television for dinner anymore.” Mrs. Warren sighed, then beamed at her little family. “Anyway, can I get you anything to eat or drink?”

“No thanks, Mom. We’re exhausted. We’re just going to head upstairs.”

***

“Annabelle Belita Warren, come back here this instant!” Ginny called, her hands on her hips. “Your father is going to be home in an hour and you still need to take a bath.”

Five year old Annabelle stopped running and turned around. One look at her mother sent her scampering back across the yard to her mother’s side.

“Thorry, Mummy,” Annabelle said sheepishly, wrapping her arms around her mother’s leg. She looked up at Ginny, her eyes wide. “I love you.”

“Those puppy dog eyes may work on your father, but they won’t work on me. Come on, into the tub,” Ginny said, hiding her smile as she ushered her daughter into the house.

Half an hour later, Ginny was starting to prepare dinner and Annabelle was sitting at the kitchen table, studiously working on her coloring book, when the phone rang.

“Hello,” she said, cradling the phone between her shoulder and her ear as she attempted to get milk out of the refrigerator.

“Who ith it, Mummy,” Annabelle asked, her tongue poking out from between her teeth as she continued to draw.

“Oh, hi, Steve,” she said happily, setting the milk down on the counter. “It’s your father, sweetheart. I was just going to start dinner. Do you want chicken,” Ginny paused as Steve cut her off. “Again? That’s the third time this week. No, of course I understand that you’re working on a big case, but Annabelle misses you. No, I’m not mad. Really, I’m fine. Okay, I’ll talk to you later.”

Ginny hung up the phone and stared at it, chewing her bottom lip.

“When’th Daddy coming home?”

“What? Oh,” Ginny said, coming out of her reverie. “Daddy has to work late tonight, so he won’t be home until after you’re asleep.”

Annabelle’s bottom lip jutted out and Ginny could feel the waterworks coming on. “How about this,” she said quickly, trying to keep the faucet off, so to speak. “Why don’t we go out for a special Mummy-Daughter dinner? Does that sound like fun?”

“Can I get dethert?” Annabelle asked cautiously.

Ginny laughed. “Of course you can, sweetheart.”

***

“Mummy, I’m thweepy,” Annabelle murmured as she laid her head on the table.

Ginny laughed quietly. “I thought you wanted dessert.” Annabelle shook her head and yawned. “Okay, sweetheart. I just need to pay the check and we can go.”

By the time the check was paid, Annabelle had fallen asleep. Ginny smiled happily and gathered up her daughter in her arms. Ginny was halfway to the door when she stopped so suddenly that a waiter almost crashed into her. She stared, completely dumbstruck, at a table for two about halfway across the restaurant. She blinked and shook her head, trying to clear her vision. When she opened her eyes again, the same sight greeted her.

Steve was locked in the embrace of a woman that Ginny recognized as his secretary.

***

Ginny paced the living room, unable to sit still. She looked at the clock again. It was nearing one o’clock in the morning and Steve wasn’t home yet. Ginny had no doubt were he was and the more she thought about it, the more livid she became.

“Big case my ass,” she muttered angrily to herself.

The front door opened and closed and she heard his quiet footsteps in the hallway. Ginny calmly seated herself on the couch and stared at the doorway, waiting to confront her husband.

“Ginny,” Steve said, stopping suddenly in the doorway. Ginny could almost smell his nervousness. “What are you still doing up?”

Ginny shrugged, keeping her temper and other emotions in check. “I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to wait up.” Pause. “You’re home rather late.”

“I was working,” Steve explained coming into the room.

Ginny nodded. “Annabelle misses you. I had to take her out to dinner tonight to keep her from crying.”

“Well, I’ll take her out this weekend and make it up to her,” Steve said casually.

Ginny nodded again. “We went to Chaucer’s.” Ginny watched Steve’s face pale in the dim lighting.

“Really? That’s not a little too grown-up for her?”

“No, she likes the macaroni and cheese.” Silence. “So, how’s your case coming along?”

“Fine, I made a lot of progress tonight.”

“Good. Is your secretary helpful? What’s her name? Rebecca?”

“Yes,” Steve said tersely. Ginny pretended not to notice.

“Good, I’m glad.” Ginny stood up and moved closer to him. “Isn’t she married? What’s her husband’s name again?”

“Actually, she’s in the process of a very messy divorce.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Ginny pondered for a moment. “She’s probably very lonely. Maybe we should have her over for dinner tomorrow night.”

“No,” Steve said a little too quickly. Ginny’s eyes narrowed.

“No?” she asked softly. “Why not?”

Steve let out a deep breath. “It’s just not a good idea to mix business and pleasure.”

“Oh,” Ginny said, realization dawning. “So it would be frowned upon if, for example, two people at your firm were shagging on the side?”

“Yes,” Steve said tensely. “It would be.”

“Oh, okay,” Ginny said flippantly. “So it would probably be a bad idea for me to tell your boss that you’re having an affair with your secretary?” Ginny asked, giving Steve a falsely innocent smile.

“Wh-,” Steve started to say, then stopped. He cleared his throat and started again. “What are you talking about, Ginny?”

Ginny glared at him. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, Steve, and don’t you dare play innocent bystander in this one,” she hissed angrily. “You’re secretary? Really? Could you be more of a cliché?”

“Ginny, I-”

“If you even think about lying to me, I swear to God that I will first castrate you with my bare hands, then announce to your parents that the reason our marriage fell apart is that you cheated on me.”

“Ginny, you’ve been cheating on me since we got married!” Steve exclaimed, now equally angry, his voice low.

“What the hell are you talking about, Steve?” Ginny snapped irritably, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Not a day has gone by since we got married that you haven’t thought about Draco. How do you think that makes me feel? I loved you so much, and all you did was shove it back in my face.”

“I never shoved it back in your face,” Ginny said defensively. “You knew what you were getting into when you married me. You knew that I still loved Draco and you married me anyway.”

“And trust me, I’ve been regretting it ever since,” Steve shot back angrily.

Ginny could feel the tears prickling at the backs of her eyes and she angrily brushed them away with the back of her hand.

“Ginny, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have-” Steve began softly, immediately regretting his words.

“Well, I’m sorry that our marriage has been such a waste of time to you, Steve,“ Ginny interrupted, the hurt evident in her voice. “But you still had no right cheating on me like that. Do you think this entire thing has been easy on me? Do you think I’ve enjoyed living with a man, knowing that I will never be able to love him as much as he loves me? No, you have no bloody clue.

“You think that I don’t know how hard this has been for you, Steve?” Ginny continued, the tears now rolling unabashedly down her cheeks. “I pray every night that you’ll forgive me for everything that I put you through because, believe it or not, Steve, I realize that this must be hell on earth for you. But I also thought that maybe it wasn’t so bad because you had Annabelle. Does she even mean anything to you, Steve?” Ginny asked, her voice breaking.

“Of course she means something to me, Ginny!” Steve yelled angrily. “Why do you think I’m still here?”

They stared at each other in silence, each pair of hands balled into fists. Upstairs, they could hear shuffling, then the sounds of footsteps on the stairs. They both stared at the staircase in unconcealed horror. Annabelle was standing at the top of the stairs, rubbing her eyes tiredly. Ginny turned her back quickly lest Annabelle see her tears. Steve stared at his daughter sadly.

“Daddy?” Annabelle mumbled quietly.

“I’m here, Angel,” Steve said quietly, moving to the foot of the stairs and opening his arms to her.

“Daddy!” Annabelle exclaimed, running down the stairs and into her father’s arms. “Mummy thaid that you had to work late tonight,” she pouted.

“I did have to work late,” Steve said, ignoring the daggers from Ginny’s glare that were digging into his back. “But guess what,” he whispered conspiratorially.

“What?” Annabelle whispered back eagerly.

“I’m going to take you out for a day on the town this Saturday. Just you and me.”

“Really?” Annabelle asked disbelievingly. Steve nodded. She smiled for a moment before frowning again. “Why ithn’t Mummy coming too?”

“Mummy got to see you all week,” Steve said, mock pout in place. “I need a little alone time with my Angel. Now, it’s time for you to go back to bed.”

“I want to thay goodnight to Mummy,” Annabelle responded, slipping out of Steve’s arms and running across the room to Ginny. “Goodnight, Mummy.”

Ginny leaned down and gave her daughter a big hug. “Goodnight, sweetheart,” she whispered.

“Mummy, why are you crying?” Annabelle asked curiously.

Ginny tried to laugh lightly. “I’m not crying, silly,” Ginny responded, glancing over Annabelle’s shoulder at Steve. “I have something in my eye. Now, it’s time for bed.”

Annabelle kissed Ginny before returning to Steve, who promptly picked her up and carried her upstairs. When they were gone, Ginny sat down on the couch and began to sob into her hands. She couldn’t bear the adoring look in Annabelle’s eyes as she stared at her father. What would happen to Annabelle if their marriage fell apart?

When Steve returned from Annabelle’s room, Ginny was still crying silent tears into her hands. He crossed the room quickly and attempted to put his arms around her.

“Don’t you touch me,” Ginny said coldly, almost choking on her tears as she pulled away.

“Ginny-”

“No, Steve. If you’re unhappy enough to have an affair, maybe we need to reconsider this whole arrangement. I have always given this marriage everything that I had. I put aside everything I’ve wanted for myself to create a happy home for my daughter and my husband. If you’re not one hundred percent in, then this isn’t working out.” Steve opened his mouth to say something, but Ginny stopped him.

“Don’t,” she said quietly. “I’m taking Annabelle to my parents’ house in the morning. You tell me what you want to do. If you want out, fine, I won’t fight you on it. All I ask is that you stay a part of Annabelle’s life. But if you’re in, you’re all in.”

***

Ginny put down the two small suitcases and kept a firm grip on Annabelle’s hand.

“Mum? Dad?” she called loudly.

“Ginny?” Mrs. Weasley said worriedly as she entered the kitchen.

“Grandmum!” Annabelle squealed, pulling away from Ginny and running to her grandmother.

“Hello, sweetheart,” Mrs. Weasley said, scooping Annabelle up and giving her a big kiss. “To what do I owe this special surprise?”

“Mummy thaid that we were thtaying with you and Grandpa for a while.”

“Oh?” Mrs. Weasley said, raising an eyebrow at Ginny. Ginny shook her head, plainly telling her mother that she’d explain once Annabelle had left. “Why don’t you go play outside, darling? Later, we can bake cookies.”

“Really, Grandmum?” Annabelle squealed.

Mrs. Weasley laughed. “Of course, dear. Now, run along.”

Once Annabelle left, Ginny sank down into a chair, her head in her hands.

“Ginny dear,” Mrs. Weasley said, sitting next to her at the table. “What’s wrong? Is Steve okay?”

Ginny gave a hollow laugh. “Yes, Mum. Steve is just fine. Our marriage, however, is not,” Ginny managed to say before bursting into rather noisy tears.

“Oh Ginny,” Mrs. Weasley said, putting a sympathetic hand on her daughter’s back. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that. Tell me what happened.”

Ginny shook her head. “We just had a row. A very bad row.”

Mrs. Weasley sighed. “This sort of thing happens all the time, dear. It will blow over in time. You both just need to cool off a bit.”

“Somehow, I don’t think this is going to blow over, Mum.”

***

“Mrs. Weasley?” Steve asked nervously, stepping out of the fireplace.

“Oh, Steve dear, how are you? Ginny is out back with Annabelle. If you send the little darling in, I can watch her so you two can talk. Well, go on,” Mrs. Weasley said quickly, not letting Steve get a word in.

“Thank you,” he said uncertainly. He wasn’t completely sure how much Ginny had told her mother about their fight, but Steve knew that somehow, no matter who tried to spin the story in his favor he would come out as the bad one.

Steve found Ginny sitting on a chair, a distracted smile on her face, as Annabelle raced around the backyard, flying a kite his parents had given her last Christmas.

“Ginny?” he said nervously, announcing his presence. Ginny turned, and her face tightened. Steve cringed at the look of acceptance he saw on her face, as though she already knew what he was going to say.

Before either of them had time to say anything else, however, Annabelle noticed her father and raced across the yard, the forgotten kite floating towards the clouds. Sighing, Ginny retrieved it with a quiet “Accio kite” and lay it on the table next to her chair. By this time, Annabelle had reached Steve and he had scooped her into his arms, giving her a hug and kissing her forehead.

“Daddy!” Annabelle squealed, her arms clutching his neck.

“Hello, Angel,” Steve said, giving his daughter another hug. “Mummy and I need to talk, but I know Grandmum wants to see you in the kitchen. I think she has a special surprise for you,” he whispered conspiratorially.

Steve watched his daughter scamper across the yard and into the kitchen before turning his attention back to Ginny. She was hugging herself tightly, as if she was cold, despite the eighty degree weather.

“Hello, Ginny,” Steve said calmly.

“Hello, Steve,” she responded quietly.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, Gin, we need to talk.”

Ginny nodded and cleared her throat. “I know.” They sat down across from each other at the table in the yard. A tense silence followed, neither of them managing to look the other in the eye. Finally, Ginny broke the silence.

“Let’s get right down to it, Steve,” she said, her voice devoid of emotion. “You know where I stand. Now I need to know where you stand.”

Steve took a deep breath, steeling himself for the worst. “Ginny,” he began, finally meeting her eyes. “I love you-”

“Don’t,” Ginny said, closing her eyes as if she were in pain. “I think I know where this is going and if you try to be nice about, it will hurt more. Say what you have to say and get it over with.”

Steve took another deep breath. “Ginny,” he began again. “I can’t do this anymore. I want out.”

Ginny let out the breath that she didn’t know she had been holding. While she had been expecting this to happen, she didn’t realize how much it would actually hurt. Putting aside her self-pity for later, Ginny nodded. “I understand,” she said quietly.

“It’s not that I don’t love you,” Steve began hurriedly.

“It’s because I don’t love you,” Ginny finished for him. Steve nodded sadly.

“I can’t say that I didn’t think this was going to happen.” Ginny laughed slightly hysterically. “Did we really think this was going to work out?”

“I guess we did, but it’s not fair to either of us anymore, Ginny.”

“I know.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes.

“I have some other news,” Steve said rather nervously, finally breaking the silence.

“Oh?”

“I’ve been made a partner at the firm.”

“Congratulations,” Ginny said, her voice slightly dull. “If anyone deserves it, you do.”

“I don’t know if I’m going to take it though. I wanted to talk to you first.”

Ginny sighed. “Steve, we’re getting a divorce, you don’t need to involve me in all your decisions anymore.”

“It has to do with Annabelle.”

“Why?” Ginny said cautiously. For some reason, it seemed that her lungs weren’t working properly and she couldn’t get enough air into them.

“If we were still together, I wouldn’t even think about taking it,” he said quickly. “I know how important your family is to you.”

“And let me guess,” she said slowly. “You’d be transferred to the States.” Steve nodded. “You’re not taking Annabelle,” she said immediately. “And I’m not moving to the States. If we were still together, I would. But we’re not and my life is here.”

“Of course I’m not taking Annabelle, Ginny,“ Steve said, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “Something tells me that it wouldn’t be the best change for her. But I do have to think about what’s best for me.”

Ginny put her head in her hands in a gesture of defeat. “This is just bloody fantastic.” She looked up at him. “Look at what a mess we’ve made.”

Steve gave her a small smile. “Now we just have to clean it up.”

***

Ginny nervously stared at her parents, who stared back, trying to hide their excitement. It was Saturday and Steve had taken Annabelle out for their day on the town, leaving Ginny alone with her parents at the Burrow. They had both decided that it would be best if they told their parents separately about the divorce.

Ginny tried to smile, but her lips felt numb. “I…er, well, I have some news,” she said, wringing her hands nervously.

Mrs. Weasley beamed so brightly that Ginny felt the urge to shield her eyes. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you, dear!” Mrs. Weasley gushed. It wasn’t a question.

“Now, Molly,” Mr. Weasley admonished lightly, despite the smile on his face, “let her tell us herself. Go on, Ginny.”

Ginny’s heart sank. Fan-bloody-tastic. Now, not only did she have to tell her parents that her marriage was ending and her husband was moving to the States, she also had to tell them that she wasn’t, in fact, pregnant.

“Actually,” Ginny said anxiously, “I’m not pregnant.” She took a deep breath. Now or never. “Steve and I had a rather large fight.”

“All couples fight, dear,” Mrs. Weasley said exasperatedly. “Time will mend itself.”

“Steve and I are getting a divorce,” Ginny blurted out.

Even the birds stopped singing.

After several minutes of silence during which her parents stared at her, completely thunderstruck, Mrs. Weasley finally managed to squeak, “A divorce?”

Ginny nodded dumbly. How stupid she had been to think they would take this well. “It just wasn’t working out,” she tried to explain.

“Ginny, just because you have one fight does not mean that you need to break up your home.” Ginny could tell that her mother was working herself up into a temper and that, if she wanted to live to see the morning, she would have to cut it off at the knees.

“It’s not just one fight, Mum. Steve and I haven’t been happy for a long time now. This fight just…put us over the edge, I suppose,” Ginny finished lamely.

“What about Annabelle?” Mrs. Weasley demanded, horror now fully replaced with fury. “Don’t tell me you’re just going to give her up too.”

Ginny gritted her teeth and tried to control her temper. If they only knew how many loops she had jumped through with Annabelle’s best interest at heart. “No, Mum, I’m not giving Annabelle up. Steve and I are going to share custody, although she will be living with me for most of the year.”

“Oh, Ginny, how did you let this happen?” Mrs. Weasley moaned, making a clean transition into despair.

“Mum, you don’t know the half of it, okay!” Ginny exploded. “You have no idea what I’ve been going through for the past six years. Steve and I never should have gotten married. I don’t even love him, for God’s sake!”

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley simply stared at her. “You don’t love him?” Mr. Weasley asked, the first one to recover this time.

“I used to love him,” Ginny hastened to explain. “I guess we just fell out of love.”

“One does not simply fall out of love,” Mrs. Weasley snapped. “That’s not how it works.”

“Well, that’s how it worked for us!” Ginny yelled angrily. “Listen, Mum, Dad. I know you mean well, but this is it, okay? Steve and I are over.”

***

Ginny looked over the rim of her cup of tea at Harry Potter. She had spent the better part of the last hour explaining all the gruesome details of her breakup with Steve.

Contrary to popular belief, Harry and Ginny had never had a wildly passionate fling or a secret romance or even had any inclination to begin any sort of romantic involvement. No, Harry and Ginny had simply become incredibly close friends. It had all started when Ron and Hermione had begun dating. After one particularly heavy bickering match - which ended in a particularly heavy snogging session - Harry and Ginny had looked at each other, rolled their eyes, and been friends ever since.

Harry was the first - and only - person Ginny told about her affair with Draco during his final year at Hogwarts. He was the one who told her to be fair to Steve and that being fair included giving Draco another shot. And he was the one who Ginny was telling the truth about her divorce with Steve.

“So I told him that either he was completely in, or he was out,” Ginny sighed and set down her mug. “And he said he was out.”

“Oh, Ginny,” Harry said, laying a sympathetic hand on her forearm. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out.”

She gave him a weak smile. “Thanks. But?”

“ ‘But’? What ‘but’?” Harry asked affronted.

Ginny smiled. “I’ve known you since I was ten, Harry James Potter. There’s a ‘but’.”

“No…okay, fine. There’s a ‘but’…” Harry took a deep breath. “…at least you can marry Malfoy.”

“I am not going to marry Draco Malfoy. For one thing,” Ginny said after a moment’s pause - during which she stared at Harry in shock - beginning to tick off the reasons on her fingers, “he has probably moved on with his life by now. He’s not the type of bloke to sit and pine. Secondly, that’s not fair to Steve. I can’t bring Draco into Annabelle’s life considering he’s the reason our marriage fell apart. And most importantly, I have tried to make things work with him twice now, and both times I have failed. I think it’s safe to assume that that ship has sailed.”

Harry shrugged and picked up his mug. “Ginny, I hate Malfoy. I’m always going to hate Malfoy. But even I don’t think that ship will ever sail.”

***

“Mummy,” Annabelle asked, looking curiously up at Ginny from the middle of a pile of boxes. “Why don’t we live at home anymore?”

Ginny sighed and sat down on the wood floors next to her daughter. “Don’t you remember, sweetheart? Daddy moved back to Boston to be with Grams and Pop-Pop.”

“Doethn’t he love me?” Annabelle asked, her bottom lip starting to quiver.

“Of course he loves you, baby,” Ginny said, wrapping her arms around her daughter. “But he needs some time away from Mummy right now.”

“Why?” Annabelle demanded petulantly.

Ginny sighed again and tried to explain for what seemed like the millionth time. “Do you remember when Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione went away for a few weeks and Henry stayed with us?” Annabelle nodded. “And do you remember how by the time Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione got back, you and Henry were fighting and needed some time away from each other?” Annabelle nodded again. “It’s like that, sweetheart. Daddy and I just need some time away from each other. Do you understand?”

“But why doeth he want to be away from me?”

“He doesn’t want to be away from you, baby. He just doesn’t want to share you. So do you know what he’s going to do?” Annabelle shook her head. “He’s going to take you to the States so you can spend two whole weeks with him, all by yourself. Does that sound like fun?”

Annabelle nodded furiously, her curls bouncing and all tears forgotten. She scrambled away from Ginny and began searching for her coloring books in the many boxes they had brought with them from their house.

Ginny leaned back against the couch and watched her daughter for a minute. After everything she had put herself through to create a happy family for Annabelle, she was right where she had been trying to avoid in the first place: a single parent, raising a child by herself.

It’s Never That Simple

Chapter Four

It had been thirteen months since the Warrens sold their house. Ginny and Annabelle had moved to a reasonably sized flat in Diagon Alley and Steve to an apartment in Boston. Annabelle had adjusted reasonably well to the situation, considering she rarely saw her father. Ginny and Steve had become even better friends after the divorce, allowing Annabelle to feel secure and safe at both her parents’ homes.

Ginny’s family had been incredibly supportive, after the initial tidal wave of fury that almost resulted in serious physical harm for Steve. Between all of her sisters-in-law and Mrs. Weasley, Ginny never failed to find a babysitter, which was very helpful as she now had to work to complement the child support Steve sent every month.

All in all, Ginny could not have been happier with their new arrangement. Well, she could have been happier, but that, she supposed, is the way the cookie crumbles.

***

"Are you hungry, darling?" Ginny asked, looking down at her daughter whose pudgy hand was clutched in one of her own hands. Ginny and Annabelle had been shopping for summer clothes since early that morning and Ginny could tell that Annabelle was starting to fade.

Annabelle nodded tiredly, her thumb going to her mouth. Ginny sighed. "Thumb," she said sharply and Annabelle immediately removed it from her mouth, giving her mother a sheepish look.

"Thorry, Mummy," she said softly. Ginny smiled and gave Annabelle’s hand a quick squeeze.

"It’s alright, dear. Now, where would you like to eat for dinner?"

"Crothed Wandth!" Annabelle exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and down.

Ginny laughed and began to make her way to Crossed Wands Café. Crossed Wands Café was a relatively new establishment in Diagon Alley that specialized in everything from the intimate romantic setting, to the family fun and games atmosphere. They had a menu that had something for every taste, whether it was the child-approved and reasonably priced, or the sophisticated and exorbitantly expensive. It was, in a phrase, the solution to all dining problems.

"Good evening, ma’am," the host said jovially when they had reached the Café. "Will it just be two for this evening."

"Yes, please," Ginny said, keeping a firm grip on Annabelle’s hand. She seemed to have forgotten how tired she was supposed to be and was now excited to the point of bouncing on the balls of her small feet.

"Will that be inside or outside?" he asked, picking up two menus, with a smile.

"Well, Annabelle?" Ginny asked, looking down at the excited girl at her side. "What will it be?"

"Outthide!" Annabelle said excitedly. "Then we can watch people thop!"

Ginny and the host laughed. "You heard the girl," Ginny said happily. "Outside it is."

The host began to weave his way through the tables, most of which were empty. Ginny internally congratulated herself. They had managed to come between the lunch and dinner rushes, which would mean the service would be prompt and their meal unhurried.

"Will this do, ma’am?" the host asked when they had reached an empty table.

Ginny nodded. "This is fi…" She trailed off. For the second time in a year Ginny was staring dumbstruck at a table for two across the patio. The host looked at her curiously, clearly not understanding why she had suddenly stopped talking. Time seemed to stop for a split second before Ginny managed to mutter an excuse, grab Annabelle’s hand, and hurry from the restaurant. As she reached the door, Ginny glanced over her shoulder, her heart beating somewhere in the vicinity of her throat.

Brown eyes met gray as Draco Malfoy looked away from the woman seated across the table. Ginny turned on her heal and hurried out of the Café.

***

Ginny spent the next week in a haze. She went about her daily activities as she normally would, with one minor difference. After putting Annabelle to bed each night, Ginny generally settled down on the couch with a book, Flooed family members and friends, or took a hot bath before going to bed. Now, however, Ginny spent every spare moment she had combing The Daily Prophet for information regarding Draco Malfoy.

Not that she admitted that she was, in fact, searching for information about Draco Malfoy. No, she was simply catching up on her current events. And if she happened to spend most of her combing time reading the society pages and she just happened to toss the paper away in anger after failing to find any references to Draco Malfoy…well, that was simply a coincidence.

At least, that’s what she told herself.

***

Ginny smiled as she watched Annabelle chase the birds on the piazza adjacent to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor. She had just finished eating her peanut butter and strawberry ice cream sundae and had begged Ginny to let her play with the birds. Laughing, Ginny had consented and, ten minutes later, was still seated at their table watching as the birds refused to be caught by her daughter.

"Is this seat taken?" a voice said from over her shoulder.

"No," Ginny said automatically, thinking that the man wanted to use the chair.

"Good," he said, sitting down. Ginny turned to tell him that he could bloody well sod off, when her breath caught in her throat and her heart stopped beating in her chest. When it resumed beating less than a second later, it was beating at twice its normal rate.

"It’s good to see you again, Ginny Weasley," Draco Malfoy said, a smirk on his face. "Or should I say ‘Warren’?"

Ginny continued to stare at him in shock. When she found her voice she managed to squeak, "I went back to Weasley after the divorce."

Draco stared at her. "Divorce?" he repeated. "Things didn’t work out with Warren?"

Ginny snorted in a decidedly unladylike manner; Draco successfully hid his smile. "Yeah, they worked out alright. That’s why we got a divorce," she said, sarcasm lacing her voice.

Draco leaned back in his chair. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Ginny’s bottom lip was caught between her lips, which Draco knew from personal experience was a bad sign.

"So what about you, Malfoy?" Ginny asked quietly, breaking the silence. "Are you married?"

Draco shook his head.

"Same old, Draco," Ginny said, angrily brushing the hair out of her face. "One taste of a serious girl and you’re back to some cheap slag."

"Excuse me," he said slowly after a moment’s pause, "but that did not make any sense."

"I saw you with that slag at Crossed Wands," Ginny accused.

"I believe that is the second time that you have accused Brielle of being a cheap slag. My cheap slag, if I’m not mistaken."

"Oh, is that what she calls herself?" Ginny spat with contempt that was completely unlike her.

Draco stared at her for a moment, then laughed. "You’re jealous."

"I am not jealous," Ginny said indignantly. "Just because I happened to see you romancing some bint after you said you’d always love me-"

"What right do you have to be angry with me, Ginny?" Draco asked, his tone clearly filled with barely restrained fury. "I haven’t seen you in over seven years. In that time, you have married another man and had his child."

"The point is that I’ve been doing just fine without you, Draco Malfoy," Ginny said loudly before standing up and walking quickly away.

"That wasn’t the point at all," Draco said, shaking his head, a soft smile on his face as he watched Ginny take her daughter’s hand and leave Florean Fortescue’s. He laughed quietly, an odd glint in his eye, before heading back to his office; he had work to do.

***

"Mummy!" Annabelle cried, skidding to a stop before Ginny. "Thomeone’th at the door."

Ginny sighed as she put down her newspaper and unfolded herself from the couch. She had finally found Draco in the society section. He was appearing at some Ministry benefit with Brielle on his arm. According to the caption, Draco had recently been promoted to Head of International Magical Cooperation.

"Aren’t you supposed to be in bed, young lady?" Ginny asked, eyeing her daughter.

Annabelle grinned sheepishly. "I wath thirthty?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, try again." She glanced at her watch. "Bed. Now," she said, her tone brooking no argument. With a distinct droop to her shoulders, Annabelle turned around and went back into her room. Ginny watched her go, a soft smile on her face.

Thump. Thump.

"I’m coming!" Ginny yelled as she walked to the door. "What?" she snapped as she yanked the door open.

Draco smirked at her. "You are one hard woman to track down." Ginny stared at him in shock. "Aren’t you going to invite me in?" Draco drawled cheekily. It seemed to snap Ginny back into reality because she hissed, "No!" and pulled the door shut behind her.

"Fine, we can talk in the corridor. Ginny-"

"Save it, Malfoy," Ginny snapped, her hands on her hips. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Draco shoved his hands in his pockets, still smirking. "Isn’t it quite obvious, Ginny girl?"

Ginny visibly winced. "Don’t," she said through clenched teeth, "call me that, Malfoy."

"But I thought you liked it," Draco said, gathering a rebellious Ginny in his arms. She tried to fight him off, but it was as useless as ever. "Ginny girl," he murmured against her lips before kissing her thoroughly.

Ginny sighed and melted into the kiss. It was bliss. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been kissed this thoroughly nor enjoyed it quite this much. Steve certainly never kissed her like this. Come to think of it, the last time she had been kissed like this was the last time she had seen Draco. It was the day she told him about Annabelle…

Ginny placed her hands firmly on Draco’s chest and pushed. Hard. Caught off guard, Draco stumbled backwards, a shocked look on his face. He didn’t have time to gather himself before Ginny’s hand connected with his cheek.

Draco’s hand flew to his cheek, which was quickly turning bright red, as he continued to stare at Ginny. She was breathing heavily, her cheeks were red and her hair mussed, and her hands were balled into fists at her sides. She looked both thoroughly kissed, and thoroughly pissed.

"Don’t you dare…you have no right…never again…" Ginny spluttered.

"What are you more angry about," Draco shot back, "the fact that I kissed you or the fact that I was right?"

"What the hell are you on about?" Ginny snapped angrily, her eyes sparking dangerously.

"You’re right where you didn’t want to be, Ginny. You’re raising your daughter by yourself while Warren’s gallivanting around in the States."

"For your information, Steve takes excellent care of Annabelle. She spends two weeks with him during the summer and she celebrates this ridiculous American holiday with his family in the autumn and he comes to England for her birthday every year. So I’m not raising her alone, Malfoy."

"Drop the act, Ginny," Draco said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "You’re fucking miserable."

"I’m not," Ginny said, her voice hitching in her throat. She tried to clear it. "I’m not," she tried again, tears pricking the back of her eyes.

"Yes, you are, Ginny girl," Draco said gently, wrapping his arms around her.

"No," she said, trying and failing to push him away. "Don’t call me that," she sobbed in his shoulder.

"Shh," Draco said, holding her tightly and attempting to soothe her.

"Mummy?"

Ginny and Draco shot apart. Annabelle stood in the doorway in her nightgown, a confused scowl on her face. Ginny hurriedly wiped her eyes and smiled a rather forced smile at her daughter.

"Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?" she asked tightly. Draco stood awkwardly to the side, his hands shoved in his pockets.

Annabelle nodded. "Mummy, why are you crying?"

Ginny glanced at Draco before replying, as casually as she could, "I’m not crying, silly. I had something in my eye."

Annabelle switched her gaze to Draco. "Who’th he, Mummy?"

Ginny gave Draco a panicked looked. He rolled his eyes and squatted down so he could look Annabelle in the eye. "Hello, squirt," he said softly. "My name is Draco Malfoy. I’m an old mate of your mum’s. What’s your name?"

"Annabelle Belita Warren," Annabelle responded suspiciously. "What were you doing with my mummy?"

"We were just talking. I haven’t seen your mummy since before you were born."

Ginny had to hide a smile behind her hand. Draco, a man Ginny never imagined to have a single paternal bone in his body, was crouched down in front of her daughter and was actually conversing with her. And they looked good together. Ginny couldn’t help the tiny flutter in her stomach she felt as she watched her daughter and the man she loved together … er, used to love.

"Alright, you two," Ginny said, finally ending their intense conversation. "Annabelle, you were supposed to be in bed half an hour ago. Say goodnight to Mr. Malfoy."

"Goodnight, Mithter Malfoy," Annabelle said, taking Ginny’s hand and walking back into the flat.

"Goodnight, Annabelle," Draco said with a smile, earning a smile from Annabelle in return.

"Will you read me a thtory?" Draco could hear Annabelle asking.

"No, sweetheart. It’s time to go to sleep now."

When Ginny returned from Annabelle’s room she found Draco sitting on her couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table, acting as though he owned the world, or at least the living room and all its contents.

"And what exactly do you think you’re doing?" she asked, her hands going immediately to her hips.

"I’m waiting for you, obviously. We aren’t quite finished yet."

"Oh, really?" Ginny asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes," he said simply.

"What if I said that I was finished with you?"

"I’d say that’s too fucking bad!" Draco retorted angrily.

"Watch your language," Ginny hissed, casting a worried look towards Annabelle’s room. "And keep it down, for God’s sake."

Draco took a deep breath to calm himself. "It is polite to ask your guests if they would like a drink," he commented dryly.

"Fine," Ginny huffed before stomping off to the kitchen. "What would you like?"

"Anything with a higher alcohol content than Butterbeer," Draco called, still managing to keep his voice low.

"I don’t have anything with a higher alcohol content than Butterbeer."

"What do you have?"

"Pumpkin juice."

Draco groaned. "You’re kidding me, right?" he asked as he entered the kitchen.

"No," Ginny snapped. "I have a seven year old daughter. I don’t want her getting into anything that she shouldn’t."

Draco stared at her. "Pumpkin juice it is."

Ginny poured them each a glass before leading the way back into the living room. Draco sat down in the middle of the couch. After a pointed look from Draco, Ginny sat down as far from Draco as she could. As soon as she was seated, Draco moved closer to her so that their knees were touching.

"You have a daughter," he said after several minutes of silence.

Ginny nodded. "Annabelle," she said quietly. "I couldn’t imagine my life without her."

Draco nodded. "She has a lisp," he commented.

"So?" Ginny said, immediately on the defensive. "She’s incredibly bright and beautiful and special and…"

She stopped talking when Draco covered her mouth with his finger. "Shh, Ginny girl," he all but whispered. "I never said it was a bad thing, although you might want to look into speech therapy when she gets a bit older."

"What happened between you and Steve?" he continued after taking a sip of his juice.

Ginny sighed and resigned herself to a long conversation. "He had an affair with his secretary, then moved to the States."

"Bloody wanker," Draco seethed to himself. Ginny hid her smile by taking a drink from her glass. "He cheated on you? Is he blind?"

Ginny shrugged. "He just got tired of me not loving him back, I suppose. But we’re still friends. Annabelle doesn’t really understand it, but I suppose children never do. I mean, she’s adjusted very well, considering. She was just a little confused at first."

"Are you still convinced that you did the right thing?" Draco asked, downing the rest of his pumpkin juice.

"Yes," Ginny said without hesitation. "If we hadn’t gotten married Annabelle wouldn’t be as comfortable with Steve as she is. And he would have missed so much…her first steps…her first words…And my mother is taking the divorce a lot better than she would take a child out of wedlock."

Draco nodded and got up to refill his glass. When he came back, he sat on the couch and they continued to drink in silence. This time, it was Ginny who broke the silence.

"How did you find me?" Ginny asked curiously, setting her glass down on the coffee table.

Draco shrugged. "I asked around." Ginny’s raised eyebrow caused Draco to sigh. "I have quite a bit of influence at the Ministry. I was recently promoted to-"

"Head of International Magical Cooperation," Ginny finished for him, blushing slightly. "I read it in the newspaper," she said, gesturing to the discarded paper.

"Why, Ms. Weasley," Draco drawled. "One would think you’ve been trying to find me in the paper."

Ginny’s blush deepened. "No, I was just catching up on my news. You just happened to be in the paper today."

Draco’s smirk broadened. "If you say so."

"I do, thank you very much," Ginny said, practically jumping off the couch and running into the kitchen to refill her glass.

"So, who is Brielle," Ginny asked from the kitchen. She couldn’t help the look that crossed her face. She had already started thinking of a nickname along the lines of Phlegm.

"Brielle is the French ambassador to the Ministry. We met when I was the British ambassador to the French ministry. We are very good friends," he added.

When Ginny turned around, Draco was standing right in front of her. She swallowed. "Did you, er, want some more pumpkin juice?" she whispered, staring at his throat.

"No," Draco said, stepping closer to her.

"I might have some, er, well, something to eat. If you’re hungry."

"I’m not hungry," Draco said, stepping forward again.

"What do you want, then?" Ginny said, her voice barely audible. She was now trapped against the kitchen counter and Draco’s body. He was standing so close to her that she could smell his cologne. Without thinking, she inhaled deeply, her eyes closed. She could almost feel his smirk.

"You," he whispered into her ear causing shivers to run up and down her spine.

"Draco," Ginny moaned as Draco kissed her. After several minutes of heavy snogging, Ginny managed to break away from him. They were both breathing heavily. "We can’t," she panted. "Annabelle is down the hall."

Draco nodded. "I should go."

"Yes," Ginny responded, stepping away from him and walking to the door. Draco shrugged on his cloak and followed her to the door.

"I’m going to see you again," Draco said firmly.

"I’d like that," Ginny said with a small smile.

"Lunch tomorrow?"

"I’d like that," she said again.

"I know. Crossed Wands at noon. Don’t be late."

***

"Good afternoon, ma’am," the maitre d’ said with a smile. "May I help you?"

"Oh, I’m meeting someone," Ginny said only slightly nervously.

"Do you have a reservation?"

"I think so. Malfoy, perhaps?"

"Oh!" the maitre d’ exclaimed. "Ms. Weasley! Follow me, please," he said leading the way through a maze of tables. "Mr. Malfoy is waiting for you."

"Mr. Malfoy," the maitre d’ said with a bow when they had reached the table. "Ms. Weasley is here."

"Yes," Draco said, standing up from the table, his eyes riveted on Ginny. Ginny blushed furiously and looked at…well, anything but Draco. "That will be all for now," he added, a clear dismissal to the maitre d’, who bowed and left them.

"Allow me," he said, pulling out her chair.

"So, what’s good?" Ginny asked after Draco had reseated himself and they had been sitting in silence for a few minutes.

Draco raised an eyebrow and stared at her. "Well, I mean, I know what I like, but, er, I mean, what do you like?" she finished with a blush.

"Nervous, Ginny girl?" Draco asked with a smirk.

"Yes…I mean, no…I mean…bollocks," Ginny muttered causing Draco to laugh. "It’s just that we’ve never been on a real date and this is our first time together in public and yes, it’s a little nerve-wracking."

Draco put down his menu and laughed. "You’re kidding, right? Ginny, we shagged every Friday night for half a year. It’s not like we don’t know each other."

"I know that," Ginny whispered furiously, a blush staining her cheeks. "But I suppose that I’m so used to all the bloody secrecy that I feel like at any second Ron or your father is going to jump out from behind that potted plant and yell ‘Gotcha!’"

Draco shook his head sadly. "Just order, Ginny girl."

***

"Harry?" Ginny called, craning her head as much as she could from her position in the fireplace.

"Yeah?" Harry asked, walking into view with a towel around his waist.

"Bad time?" Ginny asked, already pulling her head back.

"No, it’s fine. Let me just get dressed. D’you want to come over?"

"If I could."

"Sure, give me ten minutes."

"No problem!" Ginny said cheerily before pulling her head out of the fire.

Ginny sat back on her heels with s smile on her face. She was dying to tell Harry about Draco.

"Annabelle! We’re going to Uncle Harry’s for a bit. Get the toys together that you want to play with."

***

"So," Harry asked with a smile, "what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Nothing special. I haven’t seen you in a bit and I thought we could chat. How’s Sally?"

"She’s fine," Harry said, hiding his smile.

"Any plans for the future?"

"You’re beginning to sound like your mother," he commented dryly.

Ginny laughed. "At least you don’t get disapproving glares every time she sees you. It’s like I’m the failure of the family."

"Is that what you wanted to talk about?" Harry asked suddenly.

"What makes you think I want to talk about anything in particular?" Ginny asked suspiciously.

"Because you’ve been looking shifty since you got here," Harry responded idly. "Is it about Steve?" he prompted. Ginny shook her head. "Annabelle? Your mum? Work?"

"It’s about Draco," Ginny interrupted before sipping her tea.

"Malfoy, eh?" Harry mused as he leaned back in his chair. "I should have seen that coming. I mean, he just got back from France. You two were bound to bump into each other."

"We did," Ginny interrupted his musings. "Twice. And then he hired a private investigator to track me down."

"And?" Harry asked, a small smile on his face.

"And," Ginny continued, unable to stop her own lips from curling into a smile. "That was about a month ago and we’ve been dating since."

"Cheers!"

"Yes, well…I’m not mad, right, Harry?" Ginny asked earnestly.

"Of course you’re a bit mad, Gin Gin," Harry said affectionately.

"Seriously, Harry. Am I mad to give us another go?"

Harry shook his head. "I think you’re mad to be in love with Draco Malfoy, but I think you should have your head examined if you don’t give it another go."

"Why would I have my head examined?" Ginny asked curiously.

"It’s a Muggle expression," Harry explained quickly. "The point is," Harry continued loudly, "you’re not mad to give it another go, Gin Gin."

"Good!" Ginny said happily. "Then can you help me tell my parents?"

***

"Mum, Dad," Ginny said nervously, twisting her hands in her lap. Next to her, Harry grabbed one of her hands and gave it a quick squeeze. Feeling slightly braver knowing that Harry, at least, was on her side, Ginny looked her parents straight in the eyes and said it.

"I’m seeing someone."

Mrs. Weasley stared at her before saying slowly, "What?"

"She said she’s seeing someone, Molly," Mr. Weasley said quietly, carefully examining his daughter.

"Don’t be stupid, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley snapped irritably. "Ginny’s not stupid enough to bring another man into Annabelle’s life and ruin any chance she has of getting back together with Steve."

Ginny groaned. "I am not ever going to get back together with Steve, Mum," she managed to bite out through gritted teeth.

"And why not?" Mrs. Weasley asked indignantly.

"Because I love Draco," Ginny said loudly, standing up so suddenly that her chair fell over. Ignoring it she continued heatedly, "I’ve loved him since I was sixteen and he loves me and after twelve years we finally have a chance to make things work and I’m not going to blow it simply because you want me to get back together with a man that’s only qualification is that he’s the father of my child!"

"That’s a very significant qualification, Ginevra!"

"Not significant enough for me to throw my happiness away and raise my daughter in a loveless home!"

By this point, both Ginny and Mrs. Weasley were on their feet, hands balled into fists at their sides, and breathing heavily. Mr. Weasley took the sudden lull in the yelling competition as an opportunity to clear his throat and peer up at Ginny through his horn-rimmed glasses.

"Draco?" he repeated quietly. "As in Draco Malfoy?" Ginny tore her gaze away from her mother and nodded briefly. "And you’ve loved him since you were sixteen?" Ginny nodded again. "Explain to me why you married Steve."

"Because I was pregnant and I wanted to try to make things work with him. Needless to say, I failed miserably."

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, speaking for the first time, "I have seen Ginny with and without Malfoy and she has never been happier than when she is with him."

Ginny smiled gratefully at Harry before turning her attention back to her mother. "I’m not asking your permission," she said quietly.

Without making eye contact, Mrs. Weasley nodded briefly and Ginny beamed at her.

***

Laughing quietly, Ginny unlocked the door to her flat and stepped aside. Smiling his thanks, Draco walked through the open door, a sleeping Annabelle in his arms. Ginny couldn’t help the broad grin that spread across her face at the sight. Sighing happily, Ginny followed them into the flat and closed the door behind her.

Draco was already waiting for her in Annabelle’s room. He laid her on her bed and stepped aside. As quietly as she could, Ginny successfully managed to change her daughter into her pajamas. Despite her stealth, however, Annabelle woke up just as Ginny was pulling the blankets up to her chin.

"Where’th Draco?" she mumbled through the haze of sleep.

"Shh, sweetheart," Ginny whispered soothingly, "go back to sleep."

Annabelle shook her head stubbornly. "I want to thee Draco," she said slightly louder, apparently successfully maneuvering her way out of the fog. Ginny sighed and looked over her shoulder at Draco who was casually leaning against the doorframe. The pleading look Ginny sent his way was more than enough to inspire to Draco to cross the room and sit on the edge of Annabelle’s bed.

"I’m here, squirt," Draco said quietly, finishing the job of securing the blankets around the small child’s shoulders.

Annabelle closed her eyes and smiled happily. "Goodnight, Draco," she mumbled sleepily. Draco kissed her lightly on the forehead before standing up and exiting the room, leaving Ginny to make sure Annabelle had everything else she needed.

Minutes later, Ginny appeared in the living room to find Draco comfortably stretched out on the couch.

"She’s asleep," Ginny said quietly, moving to sit on the coffee table in front of the couch.

Draco stood up and stretched languidly, his eyes firmly fixed on Ginny’s face. Smiling coyly, she stood up, her body barely touching his. As she began to toy with the buttons on his shirt, not quite meeting his eyes, Draco smirked down at her and his hands settled on her waist. A small sigh escaped her lips and her hand slid up his chest to curl at the base of his head, the gentle pressure pulling his lips to hers.

After a soft kiss that promised so much more, Draco pulled away, a regretful smile on his face.

"I should go, Ginny girl," he whispered softly, his thumb tracing her lips.

"Just for a bit longer."

Ginny felt rather than heard him laugh shakily. "If I stay for a bit longer, I won’t leave for a lot longer," Draco reminded her gently.

Ginny nodded in agreement before pulling him down for another drugging kiss. Once again, it was Draco that pulled away. "Annabelle," he said in a strangled voice.

"Bollocks," Ginny muttered pulling away. She smiled apologetically. "I wish you could stay."

"I do too," Draco agreed, "but we have to keep up appearances for Annabelle." He couldn’t help the bitter note in his voice. "You still haven’t explained things to her?"

"It’s a very delicate subject, Draco," Ginny responded exasperatedly. They had been over this countless times. "There isn’t a difference between a bloke who’s my friend, and a bloke who I’m dating to a seven year-old."

"I realize that, Ginny, but you’re going to have to talk about it eventually. Your entire family knows-"

"Steve doesn’t know," Ginny said bluntly.

Draco swore under his breath. "Are you telling me that you’re still living your life to please that bugger? Ginny, he cheated on you."

"Thank you for that wonderful walk down memory lane," Ginny snapped irritably.

Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I don’t want to fight about this," he said quietly after a few moments of silence.

Ginny nodded in agreement. "Me neither."

"Marry me," Draco said suddenly, his face completely serious and his eyes a shade of gray Ginny had never seen before. She stared at him in shock.

"I…I’m sorry?" she asked nervously, thinking that she had misheard him.

"I said ‘marry me,’" Draco responded quietly, still staring intently at her. "There’s a difference between a bloke you’re friends with and your husband to a seven year-old."

"Oh, Draco," Ginny sighed, "I can’t." Pause. "I didn’t realize that you felt this way about-"

Draco stared at her in disbelief. "About us?" he interrupted. "How the hell did you think I felt? I waited for you for seven years, Ginny. It’s always been you."

"I didn’t realize we were headed down that path," Ginny tried again.

Draco stared at her for a moment, his eyes cold and calculating. Then, he nodded curtly and put on his traveling cloak.

"I want to make one thing perfectly clear," he said quietly. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’ve wanted to spend the rest of my life with you for seven years now. I didn’t walk back into your life for a fling, Ginny girl.

"If you don’t want to marry me now, you will never want to marry me. If I walk out this door right now, then we’re through. I won’t let you drag me along for another few months, then leave me to mend my broken heart for the third time. I still have my pride."

When she didn’t answer, Draco sighed and moved to the door. When his hand was on the doorknob, he stopped. "The funny thing is," Draco said without a trace of humor in his voice, "that you married a man you didn’t love, but you won’t marry the man that you do love."

"It’s not that simple," Ginny said, her voice tearful and pleading. "Draco, please…"

Draco shook his head sadly. "We were so close this time, Ginny girl," he said, his voice laden with regret. "So close."

It’s Never That Simple

Chapter Five

"Gin Gin?" Harry called as he brushed soot off his robes. "Where are you?" When Ginny didn’t respond, Harry - ever the cautious, adventure-loving Gryffindor - pulled out his wand. After a quick yet thorough sweep of the living room and kitchen, Harry made his way down the hall. When he finally reached Ginny’s bedroom, he opened the door cautiously and immediately lowered his wand, feeling only a mite foolish. Ginny was sitting in the middle of her bed, clutching her favorite pillow and sobbing.

"Ginny?" Harry asked quietly as he moved to sit on the bed next to her. "What’s wrong? Did something happen to Annabelle? Your parents? Ron?" he asked worriedly.

Unable to stop crying long enough to form words, Ginny shook her head furiously. Harry sighed and gathered her into his arms. He had never been good with girls and their emotions, but many years of being Ginny’s best friend had taught him a few helpful things. Right now, he rubbed her back soothingly and waited for the tears to stop. Finally, Ginny pulled away and wiped her streaming eyes, sniffling heavily.

"I didn’t realize the prospect of having lunch with me was so horrible," Harry said lightly, trying to make Ginny smile as he conjured a handkerchief and handed it to her.

"It’s not that," Ginny said stuffily, gratefully accepting the handkerchief.

"Did Steve say something?" Harry asked suddenly, his face darkening. "Because I swear to God, if that bastard -"

"No, Harry," Ginny interrupted. "When I dropped Annabelle off at the hotel this morning he was a perfect gentleman. Please don’t start harassing the father of my child."

"He’d deserve it," Harry mumbled darkly, earning a watery laugh from Ginny. "So what’s wrong?" Harry asked quietly.

"Nothing," Ginny said immediately, then laughed at the look on Harry’s face.

"I wasn’t born yesterday, Gin Gin," he chided gently. "What’s wrong?" When Ginny didn’t respond or meet his eyes, Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Listen, Gin, d’you want me to get Malfoy? Maybe he could…" Harry trailed off at the look of terror on Ginny’s face. "What?" he asked slowly. Ginny shook her head furiously and looked away.

"I’m fine, Harry," Ginny said, her voice several octaves higher than normal. "I just need a minute to freshen up."

"Oh my God," Harry breathed in astonishment, "it’s Malfoy, isn’t it?"

Ginny looked at him sharply. She began to shake her head then stopped. "Yes," she said quietly, suddenly finding her pillow very interesting as tears welled up in her eyes again.

"What happened? Did he break up with you?" Harry asked as gently as he could. He could practically hear Ginny’s voice in his head telling him that now was not the time for a showcase of his overbearing, protective side. I can kill Malfoy later, Harry thought, attempting to placate himself. It didn’t work very well.

"No," Ginny said miserably. "He proposed." And with that she broke out into tears again. When she stopped crying this time - which took considerably less time - Harry pulled away and stared her straight in the eye.

"He proposed? And this is sad, how?" Ginny mumbled something that Harry didn’t quite catch. "I’m sorry?"

"I said ‘no,’" Ginny said loudly, before breaking away from Harry and wrapping her arms around herself miserably.

"You said ‘no,’" Harry repeated slowly. "You said ‘no?’"

Ginny nodded miserably. "And then he said we were over and didn’t even give me time to explain-"

Harry held up his hand to stop her. "Don’t try to play the victim here, Ginny," he said sternly. "Malfoy has waited for you for six bloody years. Six years, Ginny! You’ve loved each other since you were sixteen and now, after you’ve been happily dating him for a year, you suddenly decided that you don’t want to marry him?"

"I never said that I wanted to marry him in the first place," Ginny shot back angrily.

"Give us all a break, Ginny," Harry snapped angrily. "Of course you want to marry him." Harry paused and gave her a hard look. "You’re scared," he said quietly.

"I’m not scared," Ginny scoffed at him.

"Then why the hell aren’t you marrying him? I see the way you look when you talk about him, Ginny. You told your parents about him. Hell, you told Ron about him. If it hadn’t been for Annabelle, you would never have married Steve because of him. You’re scared because for the first time things are working out with him and you love him more than you’ve ever loved anyone else, except Annabelle. And you’re happy and you’re afraid something is going to go wrong. You’re afraid that he’s going to get bored of you and have an affair."

"So what if I am?" Ginny shot back, swiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "My last relationship didn’t turn out very well-"

"Don’t use Steve as an excuse," Harry interrupted in an exasperated voice. "I don’t agree with what Steve did - in fact, I would kill him for it if it weren’t for Annabelle - but you brought that on yourself. You never should have married him in the first place, and you know it."

"I’m not using him as an excuse," Ginny said, her voice small, choosing to ignore the rest of his rather astute assessment.

"Do you love him, Ginny?" Harry asked quietly. "Can you even imagine your life without him?"

Ginny shook her head sadly. "No," she mumbled, more to herself than to Harry. "I can’t."

"Then tell him."

***

Draco reread the sentence for the fifty-seventh time. Still not taking in a word that it said, he sighed and rubbed a hand over his tired eyes. It had been a week since he had last seen Ginny and he had not slept once.

He got up from his desk - abandoning his work for the millionth time that evening - and stretched languidly, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was only seven o’clock. Draco sighed again and sat down in his chair. He picked up the memo and started reading.

***

Ginny inhaled deeply, a feeble attempt to calm her nerves, and tucked an errant curl behind her ear. Bracing herself for the worst, Ginny knocked confidently on the front door of Malfoy Manor.

A small, dirty house elf answered the door almost immediately and a look of relief washed over his face.

"Mistress Ginny is back!" Dinky squeaked. "Master does not sleep anymore and he yells at poor Dinky and Tally. But I tells Tally that Mistress will make everything better and here you is!"

"Er, may I come in?" Ginny asked uncertainly. No matter how much time she spent at Malfoy Manor, she had never truly been able to become accustomed to house elves.

Dinky shook his head sadly. "Master says no visitors allowed. He is doing important business and he is not wanting to be disturbed. But if you was to come inside and Dinky is not knowing…"

Ginny smiled brightly. "Thanks!"

***

"I thought I said that I didn’t want to be interrupted," Draco snapped coldly without looking up from his papers when he heard the door to his study open quietly.

"I thought you said I was always welcome to interrupt your work because you didn’t like it all that much anyway," Ginny responded lightly as she stepped into the room and closed the door quietly behind her. Draco’s shoulders tightened but he did not look up.

"I thought I said that when I walked out your door we were finished," he responded tensely.

"I thought you said that you would always love me."

"I thought I said….screw this," he muttered angrily, standing up and glaring at Ginny from behind his desk. "What the hell are you doing here, Ginny?"

"I love you," Ginny said quietly, suddenly overcome by nerves. Perhaps it would have been better to simply let this entire situation go. She could survive without Draco. I don’t want to survive without Draco, she thought fiercely and her resolve hardened.

"I don’t fucking care, Ginny," Draco said angrily. "At the risk of sounding like a girl, you broke my bloody heart. You let me walk out that door and you didn’t come after me."

"I’m coming after you now," Ginny shot back desperately. She couldn’t lose him, not again.

"Too late," Draco snarled.

"No," Ginny said firmly, "you are going to shut up and fucking listen to me, Draco."

"Get out," Draco said coldly. "I have work to do."

"If you don’t do as you’re told, you’re going to feel the sharp end of my wand, Draco Malfoy," Ginny said in her best imitation of her mother. It always worked on Annabelle.

Shockingly, it seemed to work on Draco too. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her. "Talk," he snapped irritably.

Ginny took a deep breath and began to explain. "I was scared," she said simply. "Every time things were going well with you – at least when I thought things are going well – something happened to completely screw it up…you were an arrogant arse, I was pregnant. I was afraid that something was going to go wrong—"

"What could possibly go wrong?" Draco asked incredulously.

"Well, I don’t know! You could be eaten by a giant squid or we could all get attacked by dragons or—"

"The possibility of me getting eaten by a giant squid or Britain getting attack by dragons is shockingly low."

"I never said I was being rational!" Ginny exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. "The point is that I was scared I was going to lose you again and it was going to break my heart. So I pushed you away. And now I know that I did lose you, but it was because of my own stupid…stupidity." Draco snorted in a decidedly un-Malfoy way and Ginny glared at him.

"I can live without you, Draco," she said quietly after a short pause. "But I don’t want to. So," she said with a small smile as she dropped down on one knee in front of him, "will you please do me the honor of marrying me?"

Draco stared at her for a moment, a calculating look in his eyes, before he scowled and hauled her roughly to her feet.

"Malfoys don’t beg," he said firmly, a twinkle in his eye.

"Well, excuse me for…" Ginny began huffily before trailing off. "Malfoys don’t beg?" she repeated and Draco nodded. "Does that mean ‘yes’?" she asked hopefully.

"I’ll need an heir," Draco answered haughtily, examining his cufflinks.

"Prat," Ginny said with a laugh as she smacked him playfully on the chest. Draco caught her hand and pulled her against his chest.

"I love you, Ginny girl," he murmured against her lips, "but if you ever doing anything that stupid again -"

"Shut up and kiss me," Ginny interrupted, a large grin on her face.

"Your wish is my command."

***

Ginny looked down at her left hand, a sappy yet genuine smile on her face. She knew she was acting like the type of girl she usually mocked with Harry, but she couldn’t help herself. She was sure she hadn’t been this happy when she got engaged to Steve, so this must be a good sign…at least, she hoped it was.

Almost immediately after Draco had accepted her proposal, he had led her through a series of little used corridors and abandoned rooms until that reached a heavily warded vault. Once the wards have been removed, the door swung open to reveal mountains of priceless Malfoy heirlooms.

Upon seeing her shocked expression, Draco had shrugged nonchalantly. "Malfoys don’t place a lot of trust in other people. All our gold is in Gringotts, but we keep our valuables here."

"Oh, yes," Ginny had responded sarcastically, "all that useless gold. Who cares if it gets stolen. It’s only money, after all."

Draco had chuckled and muttered "ever a Weasley" under his breath as he led her to a large display case filled with jewelry. He told her that every ring a Malfoy woman had ever worn was in this case and she could have her choice.

Now, Ginny moved her hand so that the ring caught the late afternoon sunlight. It was simple, yet elegant and had belonged to Draco’s grandmother. It was perfect.

Knock. Knock.

Ginny got up from the couch and opened the door to find a sleeping Annabelle in Steve’s arms.

"Hey," she said quietly. "Come in."

"Thanks," he whispered in response. Ginny led the way to Annabelle’s room and quickly dressed Annabelle in her pajamas. Steve leaned down to kiss Annabelle on the forehead. Ginny paused as a similar scene replayed itself in her head, and she smiled slightly.

"Thanks for letting me take Annabelle today," Steve said once they were back in the living room and Annabelle’s door was safely closed. "You have no idea how much I miss her."

Ginny smiled. "She misses you too, Steve." Pause. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

Steve shook his head. "No, thanks. I should probably be getting back to my hotel."

"I insist," Ginny said firmly, taking his arm and guiding him into the kitchen. When they were each seated at the table, a mug of steaming tea clasped firmly in their hands, Ginny decided that it was now or never.

"I have something I need to tell you," she said, forcing her voice to remain even.

"I thought you might. Alright, let’s hear it," Steve said with a small smile.

"I wanted to tell you before you hear it from anyone else," Ginny began nervously.

"You’re engaged to Draco Malfoy," Steve interrupted, taking a sip of tea.

Ginny stared at him in shock. "How the bloody hell did you know?"

"You’re acting more bizarrely than usual," Steve said, beginning to tick the reasons off on his fingers. "You want to tell me something before I hear from anyone else - probably Annabelle - because you’re afraid it might hurt me. Annabelle had quite a bit to say about her Mummy’s male friend that’s always taking you two out to dinner. Oh, and you’re wearing an engagement ring."

Ginny blushed furiously. "Steve-"

"I know you’re not trying to hurt me, Ginny," Steve interrupted. "It does hurt a little, but I know that he makes you happy and that he’ll take care of you and Annabelle. If you were ever going to remarry, I suppose Malfoy is the best choice. I know you don’t need it, but you have my blessing," Steve concluded, giving her hand a tight squeeze.

"Now, I really do have to be getting back to my hotel. Early flight tomorrow," he said, standing up and walking to the door.

Ginny stood up and followed him to the door. "I’ll see you next month for Annabelle’s birthday?" she asked as she held the door open for him.

"I wouldn’t miss it for the world."

Ginny smiled and closed the door behind him. She stood staring at it for a few seconds before wrenching it open and dashing down the hall after Steve. He was already inside the elevator when she caught up with him.

"You were wrong before, Steve," she said slightly breathlessly. "I’ve always loved you."

He smiled. "I know."

***

"Do I have to do this?" Draco whined in Ginny’s ear. Draco was attending his first ever Weasley Clan Gathering and, so far, Ginny’s brothers were treating Draco with respect, with the proper encouragement from Harry. At least, they weren’t treating him with open hostility.

"Yes," Ginny hissed back. "It’s tradition!"

Draco sighed and stood up. Immediately the eyes of the entire Weasley Clan were fixed on Draco. He cleared his throat and glanced down at Ginny who smiled encouragingly. "They can’t hurt me if I’m holding Annabelle," he muttered so that only Ginny could hear him and scooped Annabelle up into his arms. Ginny stifled a giggle.

"I have an announcement to make," Draco said loudly. "Ginny-"

"Mummy and Draco are getting married!" Annabelle squealed, unable to keep this exciting news to herself any longer. "And I get to wear a pretty dreth!"

Ginny and Draco took one look at each other before bursting out into laughter.

***

Ginny smoothed the imaginary wrinkles from her dress as she stared at herself in the mirror. So what if she had already been married once? She was still nervous. Well, maybe excited was more accurate. After all, she had no doubts about marrying Draco. He was exactly what she wanted in life and, finally, she was going to get it.

"You look beautiful, darling," Mr. Weasley said quietly as he stepped into the room. "They’re ready for you."

Ginny turned around and smiled at him. "I know you’ve already given me away once," she said quietly, "but I’ll always be your little girl."

Mr. Weasley smiled and kissed her forehead. "Of course you will be. Now, we don’t want to keep Draco waiting."

No, I’ve already kept him waiting long enough, Ginny said to herself as she took her father’s arm and let him lead her from the room.

***

"Draco," Ginny said loudly, poking him in the side. "Are you asleep?"

"Not anymore," he groaned as he rolled over and stared up at her groggily. "Gin, it’s three o’clock in the morning and I have an early meeting tomorrow."

"Never mind, you can go back to sleep," Ginny said and lay down on her side with her back to her husband. She smirked as she heard Draco sigh and mumble something about insane witches before sitting up against the headboard.

"I’m awake now," he said tiredly. "What did you want to talk about?"

Ginny rolled over and smiled up at him. "Are you planning on naming your heir something outrageously pretentious and Malfoy-esque? Because that really doesn’t work for me."

"I don’t know," Draco snapped irritably. "We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Is that why you woke me up?"

Ginny smiled secretively. "We’re there," she said quietly.

"Where?" Draco asked confusedly.

"The bridge," Ginny said, her smiling growing.

"What bri…" Draco trailed off as realization dawned on him. "You’re pregnant!" Draco whispered in disbelief.

Ginny nodded happily. "And we’re not naming him Octavius," she added firmly.

"I don’t know," Draco mused. "Octavius Malfoy does have a certain ring to it."

***

"How’s Mum?" Annabelle asked as she accepted the steaming cup of tea from Draco.

"She’s doing fine. It’ll be another couple of hours before the baby’s born if you want to take a nap."

Annabelle shook her head. "I’m alright," she said quietly.

"Are you?" Draco asked, taking the seat next to her. "Because you haven’t seemed alright lately."

"I’m fine," Annabelle snapped. "Sorry, Da," she said after a short pause.

"Why don’t you just tell me what’s on your mind?"

"It’s stupid," Annabelle mumbled and took a large gulp of tea.

"Malfoys are never stupid."

"I’m not a Malfoy," Annabelle responded despondently.

"Just because we don’t share the same genes doesn’t mean you aren’t my daughter," Draco responded firmly. "And that makes you a Malfoy."

Annabelle sighed. "I’m starting Hogwarts in a month and you and Mum are going to have the new baby and you’re going to forget about me," she said quickly, the Weasley blush staining her cheeks.

"Your Mum could never forget about you," Draco began but Annabelle cut him off before he could finish.

"Of course Mum won’t forget about me," Annabelle responded as if that was the most absurd idea in the world.

"Ah," Draco said as realization dawned and he leaned back in his chair.

"Did I ever tell you about my father?" Draco asked after a few moment’s of silence. Annabelle shook her head. "He was incredibly busy as I was growing up so I didn’t spend a lot of time with him. The only thing he taught me was that being a Malfoy meant that we didn’t bow down to anyone.

"During my first year at Hogwarts, your Uncle Harry made the Gryffindor Quidditch team and your Aunt Hermione was the top of our year. My father was so angry that I hadn’t made the Slytherin team and that a Muggleborn witch had beat me in every exam. I distinctly remember the look in his eyes that blatantly said that I had disgraced him. So, I worked harder to prove myself worthy of bearing the Malfoy surname and while I rarely received praise, I didn’t get reprimanded quite as often.

"After the Dark Lord returned at the end of my fourth year, my father didn’t even have time to reprimand me any more. He was absorbed in doing the Dark Lord’s bidding. I was no longer important in his life. At the end of my fifth year, he was convicted of being a Death Eater and sent to Azkaban. That was when I vowed that I would never be like my father. I didn’t want to be like the man that vowed his life to a creature not fit to walk this earth. And I certainly didn’t want to be like the man who didn’t know the first thing about being a father, the man who ignored his son."

"Just because I’m about to have another child, doesn’t mean I’ll forget about you." Draco stood up and stretched. "I’m going to see how your Mum is doing. Take a nap, we’ll probably be here for a while yet."

"Hey, Da," Annabelle called after him as he reached the door to the waiting. "I love you."

Draco smiled. "I love you too, Squirt."

***

"Annabelle," Ginny said quietly, "I want you to meet your baby brother."

"He’s adorable," Annabelle responded excitedly. Draco and Ginny beamed. "Can I hold him?"

"Of course," Ginny said before showing her the proper way to hold a baby.

"What’re you going to name him?" Annabelle asked quietly, unable to tear her eyes away from her little brother.

"Tristan Harry Malfoy."

"Harry?" Annabelle repeated, choking back a laugh and looking up at Draco. "After Uncle Harry?" Draco’s jaw tightened and he nodded.

"If it weren’t for Harry, we never would have gotten together," Ginny reminded him.

"Which time?" Annabelle asked with a laugh that earned a chuckle from Draco.

"He may have helped a bit," he conceded, "but I still don’t like the smarmy git."

"Draco!" Ginny exclaimed, slapping his arm. "That’s my best friend you’re talking about."

Draco shrugged casually, but there was a twinkle in his eye.

And they lived happily ever after. Sometimes, it really was that simple.