Hello All! First off, my Fantastic Beta, Alinora, is up to her eyebrows in a work situation. She has this chapter, but no time to Beta. For the first time that I can recall, I am going to post un-Beta'd material…mainly because after all these wonderful reviews, I would feel guilty otherwise. Once I get the changes from my Beta, I will re-upload the chapter. Until then, enjoy the chapter…mistakes and all! LOL!
Also with the overwhelming response to the return of Draco and Ginny in the Merlin series, I'd like to take a moment to say my thanks to a few people:
kneh13: My first reviewer on this story! Thank you! I hope you continue to think that it is interesting. I have lots of surprises in store for you!
hallee87: I am so thrilled you like it. Thank you! Here's the second chapter…I hope you like this even more! LOL!
piper-h-99: I will! I promise! See, here's a new chapter already! LOL! Thanks for taking the time to write a review!
Blackbow: I try to update as soon as I can! I promise! So…here's another chapter! Thanks!
MerlinHalliwell: Your review made me so happy! To know that someone enjoys my stories so much and is looking forward to the continuation…makes my day! Thank you!
TrulyLovly: *blushes* Thank you for such kind words and sentiments. It is people like you that I write for. Thank YOU!
red ruby slippers: I'm so glad that you like it already. This story will be a little different from the rest…so I hope you continue to like it! Thanks so much!
Ferretlover: Thanks! I know it was short, but it was the best place to end it; so I did. I try to keep my chapters around 1500 words and this was just slightly short…I'll try harder just for you!
Stella7: Warmer, huh? Soon, but not too soon. They have a lot of ground to make up. Thanks for the review! It made my day!
GinnyDracoFan: Thanks so much for the kind sentiments. They were so nice of you to say. I love the fact that you like my stories! I hope I continue to make stories that you enjoy! Thank you so much for the review!
pixydust3: Yes, FINALLY! I was missing it myself, truth be told! I hope you enjoy this final installment of the trilogy! I look forward to your reviews…so continue to let me know what you think, okay.
Yummersracin: Thanks you so much! I rather like the beginning of this story myself. It has a lot of potential! And I love writing it!
Gjess86: WOW! You read the other two in a go? WOW! This third story, I think, will be just as exciting. And, I believe, you have touched on something very important…what will the child of Ginny and Draco be like? HMMMM… Thanks so much for your review and kind words!
legally-blonde1: Your review made me smile! The thought that people are that excited to read my work…is just absolutely flattering! Thank you so much!
Lisa: Hi Lisa! I was wondering where you were…As always, your reviews make me feel so happy! You are so kind! I am absolutely thrilled that you like the story so far. You touched on my favorite part of chapter 1…the emotions are there, just hidden. So Draco couldn't help but react when she almost fell. Glad you caught that! Hugs!
AmericanGirl1114: This update is just for you and your wonderful review, which made me grin like the Cheshire Cat! Thank you so much! Please continue to let me know what you think!
Chapter 2: Merlin ReturnsGinny, at first, had been dumbfounded by the ostentatious decorations in Malfoy Manor; however, after spending hours with the House Elves- that half mile rule being firmly enforced- she had learned that Narcissa Malfoy had nothing better to do with her time than decorate, redecorate and then start all over again. To be honest, it was amazing that the house still flowed well in it's décor. That was why Ginny was currently sitting in the second floor library reading all she could about Medi-wizardry. She refused to become a prisoner in this marriage. She might be married to the git, but she would have a life of her on.
She had also contacted Madame Pomfrey about her ideas, but was assured that nothing could be done until she had the baby. She was also warned that she may not want to study Medi-wizardry after the birth of her child. She might want to stay with the child. That, apparently, happened to a lot of witches trying to become Medi-witches that had families. Ginny had thanked her for her time, but suspected that Dumbledore had a hand in the negative vibes she had received from Pomfrey.
It had now been three weeks since that fateful day where she awoke married to Draco "Bloody" Malfoy. Dumbledore and her parents were as good as their word; they had visited every few days to make sure the tenants were still alive.
Draco, for the most part, had been ignoring her. And that was fine with her. They saw each other, on a good day, only for meals, as the House Elves insisted on all meals being served only once and in the dining room. Ginny was positive that Dumbledore had some hand in this too. This was solidified when, after an unnaturally short visit from Dumbledore, Dobby was revealed gaily waving at them from the lessening green flames in the hearth from Dumbledore's departure.
Dobby made sure to stick around during the meals encouraging conversation between the two.
"Dobby is so glad to see Miss Weasley-Malfoy in her pretty red dress. Don't you agree, Master Malfoy?"
"Master Malfoy, Dobby likes Miss Weasley-Malfoy's hair, don't you?"
"Miss Weasley-Malfoy, Dobby likes Master Malfoy's grey robe. It matches his eyes, don't you agree?"
"Master Malfoy, you look so handsome in the sunset, the pink hues catching on your silver hair. Quite fetching don't you agree, Miss Weasley-Malfoy?"
That particular one had caught both Draco and Ginny's funny bone. Ginny had caught Draco's eye, and they both had stifled snorts behind their hands. It had also led to the first civil words exchanged between the two since arriving at the manor, Ginny remembered somewhat fondly.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Don't I look handsome with pink hues catching in my silver hair?" Draco deadpanned with a semi-serious glint to his eyes.
Ginny's sarcastic retort dissolved into giggles at his expression; Draco had guffawed. They finished their dessert in silence, but a pleasant silence. As she left the table that night, Draco had wished her a 'Good Evening.'
Ginny's train of thought was probably coming from that fact that once again they found themselves sitting at another meal, today's delight, the ever present, but still wonderful, fish and chips. That was until she smelled them. Something about the smell of grease from the fish and chips completely turned her stomach…completely.
She hastily pushed back from the table and ran for the closest lavatory. Unfortunately the best she could do was the ceramic umbrella holder in the foyer. Ginny rabidly threw the umbrellas out of the container and onto the pristine marble floor. She had barely turned back before she lost the contents of her stomach into the ceramic pot. She dry heaved a few times and then felt fairly fine. As she straightened up, she noticed that Draco was standing not five feet away. For some reason, probably because she had just ruined the ceramic umbrella pot and thrown up in front of Draco, she found herself on the defensive.
"What?" she hoarsely barked out. Her tone was unfriendly; her stance was out right defensive and ready to attack.
Draco shrugged as if he was completely apathetic and said, "Nothing, just making sure you weren't dying. Dumbledore, your parents and Snape would beat me to a bloody pulp if you died on my watch."
The snort that erupted from Ginny's mouth was not only rude, but very un-lady like. And, of course, Molly Weasley had heard it all.
"Honestly, Ginny, no wonder he thinks all Weasley's are poor, rude mouthed hooligans. You lot never show him anything but those traits. Draco, dear, how are you doing?"
To Ginny's complete shock, Draco walked over, shook Molly's hand, and said, "Fine. I'll leave you to deal with Ginny, shall I? She seems to be suffering from Morning Sickness despite the time of day."
As he walked off, Ginny couldn't help stare in shock. Where in the hell had that person come from? Because it sure wasn't Draco Malfoy.
"Yes, that is Draco Malfoy!" her mother said.
This startled Ginny even more; apparently, her mother was now a bloody mind reader.
"Not a mind reader either, just a good Mother that knows how to read her children. Ginny, can I ask you a question?"
Still reeling from the past few minutes, Ginny simply nodded her agreement.
"Why do you think I am so nice to Draco?"
Ginny honestly hadn't thought about it, so she said as such. She had been more focused on her day to day with Draco…mostly trying to ignore him, half-mile rule and all.
"Do you think I pity him?"
Ginny pondered for a moment, and said, "Yes, I think in some ways you do pity him. Where is this going?"
"Stick with me here, Ginny, for just a few more minutes, all right? Do you think I am nice to him because I pity him?"
"It would stand to reason, if you pity him."
"Logical, but missing a lot of information to make a more educated hypothesis."
"So, I am wrong," Ginny asked.
"Not wrong, just under informed. You see, Ginny, you will learn soon that there are some things that can never be changed, especially about being a Mother. If Draco Malfoy had EVER treated you disrespectfully while he has been your husband, ever, as a Mother I would not and could not be nice to him. Civil, yes, nice, no. What does that tell you about him?"
'That he has you fooled." Ginny quickly retorted.
"Was I really that easy to fool when you were little?" Molly asked; her mouth tilted in a small humored smile.
"Umm-no," Ginny responded. Memories of her getting caught doing Fred and George's requests, and Molly punishing all three flooding her mind.
"Then why would you think he was fooling me? Because he is a Malfoy? That is downright prejudiced…something that I would have thought you would have lost a feeling for a long time ago being a poor Weasley and all."
Ginny looked at her mother in shock. Sometimes the truth, stated bluntly, still caught you off guard, and Ginny had certainly been caught off guard. Molly, watching all the emotions flitting across her daughter's face, took that instant to make her point, "Draco Malfoy is a good man. He is the father of your child. Isn't it time you stopped being judgmental and get to know him…really know him?"
With that said, Molly Weasley left her daughter to her musings and flooed back to the Burrow.
It took Ginny until morning to work out her thoughts on the conversation with her mother. When she went to breakfast that morning, Draco Malfoy was greeted by a different woman.