The first Thanksgiving feast in the U.S. was held in 1621 when the Pilgrims celebrated their harvest. However, the Americans did not invent Thanksgiving. English navigator Martin Frobisher held a celebration of thanks in 1578 in what is now Newfoundland as he had survived the long journey over the seas.

Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Canadian Thanksgiving facts and trivia

Merlin, Help Me!

Chapter 10

Poor Little Rich Boy

DPOV

Spending the day with Ginny and Beth was the best and worst day of my life! It was the best because I got to be with my two favorite ladies. Ginny was more beautiful than I remembered, and her hips had a slightly rounder shape to them now, taking her from looking like a schoolgirl to looking like a woman. And the way she was with Beth blew my mind away! She knew exactly what our daughter wanted and needed. When we were together, I wasn't looking for the mother of my children, but clearly Ginny was an amazing mother. Thinking back on it, she always had those mothering skills; she is nurturing, she's far too bossy, and she can get that look that let's you know you did wrong without a single word spoken.

Then there's Beth; she was perfect! She had perfect strawberry blond hair, not that carrot orange color that the Weasley males seemed to have. It wasn't as bright as Ginny's, either. She was adorable and she ate with her fingers, pulling the sandwich Ginny gave her apart and only eating the parts she liked! Why bother with what she didn't care for? Smart girl!

But, the day was the worst because Beth wanted nothing to do with me! She distrusted me! It was as if she knew what I did to Ginny. It truly hurt me when she pulled away from me. I am her father, I would never hurt her. What if she never took a liking to me? What if she thinks Potter is a better father than me? And what if she loves him more than me?

What if they both did? No, I will never accept that! I will win my daughter and her mother from Potter!

I had asked Ginny about seeing Beth the very next day, but she explained it was her father's birthday. I started to wonder how many of her brothers had married, because between the brothers, wives, and their children, there could be a birthday every week!

Well, not being able to see Ginny and Beth gave me the chance to work on being with them. I headed out to a florist and picked a simple bouquet. I wanted to send fire and ice roses, but I knew I had to take things slowly, not wanting to spook Ginny. I took the time to write the card myself:

Ginny,

Thank you for allowing me the chance to meet

Beth. She is an amazing child! I want you to

know I realize you have a life of your own,

but I want every chance I can get with Beth.

Please let me know anytime you and she are

free. I will drop whatever I'm doing to spend

time with her.

Draco

On Sunday evening, once Mother and Father arrived home, Father asked me into his study. I remember when I was a child I was fearful of being in this room. I always felt I was in trouble when I was called into his office. Now I understand this is where Father feels his points are best understood. Everything that truly matters in his mind is discussed here. Father no longer sits behind his desk as he did when I was a boy. There are a couple of wing chairs by the fireplace.

I carefully move Mother's crocheting to take my seat. Mother loves the craft and has done it as long as I can remember. All the beds in the Manor do have expensive linens on them, but at the foot of each bed is a perfectly colour-coordinated handmade blanket of Mother's. Her current project is a soft blue one with little pink flowers on it. I'm guessing it's for Beth.

"How did things go with the girl?" Father asked, not wasting any time.

"It went all right, I guess," I reply.

"All right, you guess?" he questioned, looking annoyed.

"Well Father, as much as you would have liked to return to two extra witches here, it's going to take time."

Father nodded. "Elizabeth...what's she like?"

I smiled as the picture of my perfect princess popped into my head. "She's smart, and beautiful."

"As she should be! If memory serves, once her mother got past that awkward teenager stage, she was very attractive." He paused, "Ginevra is a very powerful witch as well."

"Yes, she is," I can only agree. She and I have duelled a few times over the years.

"Did she say anything about her marriage?" Lucius asked with great interest.

"She's not in love with him," I stated. I was more sure of it than ever.

"You're sure of this?"

"Ginny would have sworn it up and down if she was. Especially when I pointed out she never said it."

"So what will it take with her?"

"Lots. She is loyal, very loyal." I paused, "Father, why did you give her the diary?"

He looked down into his own lap. After a long time, he replied, "She was Arthur Weasley's youngest child and only daughter. I had some idea of what could happen to her and I knew it would destroy him most."

I could see Father felt bad. "You and he share a granddaughter now."

Father nodded and took a sip of his drink. "At least I know how the man thinks." he whispered. "We do have one thing in common; our families are what matter most to us."

I had to ask, I had to know. Father has hated the Weasleys for so long. "And now you share a member, so what does it mean to you?"

His brow rose slowly. "Officially one member, but really three. We must make peace, or at lease be civil."

Again, I had to know his mind set. "But they are blood traitors."

"To whom? Really Draco, their family stuck together, as did the Malfoys."

"Meaning?" I didn't think Father would ever change his mind this much.

"Meaning they may not believe in keeping the blood line pure, but they do believe that you don't turn your back on family because family is all that truly matters." He paused, "The term blood traitors is wrong; they are not pure blood supremacists. Do I want my family blood polluted? No, and I never will. But we are dying out, so if some of Arthur Weasley's sons marry girls who aren't pure, who cares as long as some of them do?"

My father can amaze me at times. Today, as well as being amazed, I was proud of him. He has come a long way. No, he hasn't changed his beliefs; the very beliefs he raised me with. He has, in fact, changed the way he looks at things, like blood purity being second to family. That being said, I do know I would still be disowned if I wanted to marry a Mudblood! I am, after all, his only child.

The next morning, an owl arrived with a heavy package for me. On top of the package was a note:

Draco,

Enclosed you will find an album of photos of Beth,

as I promised.

Ginny

I quickly tore open the brown paper wrapping. I found a black, leather bound album with silver embossed lettering saying 'Elizabeth Rose.' As I slowly opened it, I noticed my hand was shaking. The first page was not of my daughter, but of a mad and very pregnant looking Ginny. 'Taken before leaving for the midwives' was written under the picture.

I turned the page to see Ginny again; looking sweaty, her hair looked wet, and it was pulled back in a ponytail. There was a bundle of blankets on her chest, and as the picture moved I realized a blood- covered Beth was in those blankets! I could feel the tears sting my eyes as I looked at the picture, but I also realized Potter took the picture. And that he got to be there for the birth of my daughter, my first child! I carefully turned the page, expecting to see a picture of the happy little family.

Instead, it was a picture of Beth alone with all the baby details written underneath the photo. As I looked through the book, everything was there; everything I missed. But at the same time, there wasn't a single photo with Potter in it. Ginny clearly took great care to not include photos of Harry Potter! Why? Because she knew it would upset me. I knew then that Ginny did, and does, still love me.

I would win. I just have to get her to end her marriage and then we can be a family. In truth, I knew this would be the hard part. Ginny spent a long time caring about Potter, and her family always viewed him as one of their own. Ginny isn't going to be willing to hurt him.

I found myself growing mad; not only at Potter, but at Father too! This was his fault as well. If he had waited even one more week, then I wouldn't have missed all of this. Ginny would have told me and I would have been there for her and Beth. I wondered how scared she was. As I wondered, I remembered how she looked as I broke up with her. I now knew, more than anything, it was fear on her face as well as hurt.

"Draco, what's that?" Father asked as he sat down at the head of the table.

I stared flipping back over the pages. "It's Beth." My voice cracked.

Father rose an eyebrow.

"It's Beth's baby photos. Ginny said she would owl me them. I didn't expect them so quickly."

Father eyed the book from his seat with great interest.

I was an arse and waited for him to ask. After a minute or so, he finally spoke, "I have yet to see a picture of Elizabeth."

I looked at him for a moment, but still waited.

Finally he asked. "Might I see what my first granddaughter looks like?"

I then handed him the book and watched my father closer than I ever have. I realized I was more anxious than ever for his approval. Father spoke not a word, but carefully studied each picture. His face gave nothing away! Finally, he closed the book and handed it back to me. "Draco, she is perfect."

Ginny's POV

Draco sent flowers as a thank you. That was very nice of him. As for him seeing Beth, I am hoping the next time he does maybe Narcissa could be there for Beth. As much as Draco hurt me, a part of me believed he didn't want to, and that there was a reason he was doing it. Now I know I was right. I wonder; if I had fought with him, could it have been different?

Maybe we could have been a family.

But I married Harry. He is my best friend, he loves Beth so much, and she loves him. I made a promise to Harry and I am not going to break that, no matter what! Harry and I have a good life together. We share something no one gets; Tom was inside both of us. It will link us forever. I have heard people say that I must be threatened by the closeness Ron and Hermione have with my husband.

Nope, I don't. Not for a second. Yes, they are close, but Tom and being connected to him, to have someone understand that, and to have them truly get the fear it causes, is amazing. I love Harry and could never imagine life without him near.