There is a poor use of Spanish in this chapter. I do not speak the language and I want to apologize in advance if I butcher anyone's native tongue. All translations are via google.

Chapter 37

"The Second Tuesday"

Four Years Later

August 2006

Ministry of Magic

Office of Magical Games and Sports

"These confederation blokes are getting on my last nerve; they can contest our win all they want! We've got a team of lawyers and if they want a fight they're going to get one! She was on the broom!" Wilford fussed through the corridors of the Department of Games and sports.

"They are making the case that Weasley wasn't on her own broom when she caught the snitch," Dean said as he followed Wilford.

"That's ridiculous!" Wilford exclaimed

"We're on top of it," Samuel from the legal department said, "There is no rule that says you have to be on your own broom."

"I want this squashed as soon as possible. This is a great victory for our nation two world cups in a row. I want the press focused on that. Also what's this I hear about Ginevra Weasley taking the season off? I thought her leg injury wasn't that serious."

Both Wilford and Samuel looked at Dean. Just because he is close to her they expected him to have the answer.

He shrugged, "honestly you'd have to ask her, I'm not entirely sure myself." He knew exactly why she was out and promised not to tell, it wasn't his business to tell anyway.

Wilford sighed, "Fix it all, I want a strong season opener," he disappeared into his office.

(***)

Ginny sat alone in the beige room. She sat on the couch in the homey space that seemed more like someone's living room rather than an office. She played anxiously with her bracelet as she waited.

"Hi Ginny, sorry to keep you waiting," a woman entered the room. "This was one of those days where things began fifteen minutes late and the whole day just went." She went over to her desk and dropped some files. She then went and sat in the arm chair nearest Ginny. "So how are you? We haven't seen each other in over a month."

"I'm good. July and the beginning of August were hectic but great."

"Yeah you're a world cup champion."

Ginny sighed, "Maybe."

"What does that mean?"

"Well Ecuador is contesting the win. Legal for both countries are going back and forth."

Earlier this month

August 2006

Sangay National Park, Ecuador

425th Quidditch World Cup

It was freezing; it was winter in Ecuador there were flurries falling at the top of Sangay. The frosted volcano peak was the location of the world cup.

It was a crazy night. The Welsh National Team became the World Cup Champions! The place was a mixture of boos and cheers because they beat their host country of Ecuador. It was a close match; they only won by 150 points.

Ginny was spectacular, in her usual very stylized way. She put on an impressive display to try to get the snitch which ended in her broom snapping in mid air and a repeat performance of her plummeting to the ground. But it all worked out, her teammate Felix Glover caught her by her coat collar before she ever made it anywhere near the ground. She hoisted herself onto Felix's broom, the snitch zipped pass again and she caught it.

"Ah," Ginny let out a screech of pain. Her death defying moment on her broom didn't end perfectly; there was a chunk of wood in her leg. As the team hoisted her and Felix up on their shoulders the wood was pushed further in. The large silver cup was passed up to Felix and he tried to hand it over to Ginny, "you keep it!" She didn't know if she would able to, she was concerned about what was happening with her leg and when they were going to put her down.

(***)

"I'm not a big Quidditch person but the day after there was a wonderful photo of you catching the snitch on the cover of the Daily Prophet. It looked like you clearly caught it."

"I did, they're making a fuss over the fact I wasn't on my own broom."

"You're handling this quite well," she said writing something in her notebook.

Ginny nodded, "on the inside I'm screaming but on the outside, I suppose I am holding it together. I'm quite proud of myself."

"You should be you have moved on from hysterics. You should be proud of yourself about the world cup as well."

"Well Garret, my lawyer, is on top of it and so is the Ministry's legal team as well as the league's… I can't believe it. It's the monumental opportunity in Quidditch. You may or may not get chosen. I've been selected twice and I suppose second time was the charm… but it's a big mess."

"Politics aside this is a truly wonderful achievement," she smiled.

"I'm considering taking the season off. I think it will help me keep this from going to my head among other things. I really want to stay grounded. I was so anxious to talk to you," she began to nervously play with her bracelet again.

"Why?"

"Sometimes I just feel I need guidance."

"You can guide yourself. You just have to trust yourself not to lose sight of reality," she watched her playing with her bracelet.

Ginny nodded, "well then I suppose I just don't trust myself."

"You need to trust yourself."

"I get lost in what I want. I've never had much but when something I wanted came true... it was full steam ahead. I have my blinders on and I am kind of like, get with it or get out of the way with everyone and everything."

"It's not bad to be focused and ambitious. In fact it's quite a good thing it shows that you have passion and determination."

Ginny sighed, "Well my concern for my passion left someone pretty important out of my decision making process…"

"You haven't told your boyfriend you're pregnant yet."

Back at the 425th Quidditch World Cup

Ginny finally found the answer as to when her team was going to put her down.

In the changing room after a round hip, hip, hooray, she was finally lowered from the shoulders of her teammates. She smiled awkwardly as she slipped out of the chaos and left the changing rooms. The hall was full of personnel in frenzy. She looked around and spotted who she was looking for.

"You were that excited that showering and changing didn't seem like a good idea," Palmer said to Ginny when she came up to him.

"I would be, second UK victory," laughed Seamus.

She leaned against Palmer like she needed support, "what's wrong with you?"

"I may need to go to the hospital, I have a bit of broom in my leg," she moved her winter playing coat out of the way to show Palmer. There was a sizable piece of wood sticking out of her leg and blood dripping down. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fell into him.

"Oh my god," Seamus exclaimed.

Palmer wrapped one arm around her back and the other under her legs and picked her up.

"MOVE" Seamus shouted at the people crowding the hall, "out of the way!" He cleared the way so they could get outside to apparate.

The Magical Hospital Ecuador

"Well Señorita Weasley you lost a lot of blood but everything is going to be just fine," the healer told Ginny whose right pant leg had been cut off up to her very high thigh. Her leg was bandaged and elevated. "This is extremely lucky considering you're five weeks pregnant. This is a very delicate stage of pregnancy. A few inches over and it could have hit a major artery. I don't know what you thought you were doing 140 meters up in the air on a broom playing Quidditch. It's how do you say… estúpido"

"You're pregnant?"

"Yes she is, you're going to be a Papa," the healer smiled at Palmer.

"I'm not the father." "He's not the father." Ginny and Palmer stated at the same time.

"Can you give us a few minutes alone please," she said to the healer.

"How long have you known about this? Does your boyfriend know?"

"I'm known for a couple of weeks, I didn't have the flu." A couple weeks ago Ginny came down with what she thought was a nasty strain of the flu, her body ached, sore throat, coughing, sneezing and to top it off she was nauseated and vomiting. Of course she went to the healer. She was getting ready to leave for the world cup; nothing was going to keep her from playing. And pepper up potion wasn't doing it. They did some blood work for good measure and found that she was pregnant.

"You mean like two weeks before you played in this world cup? Was that really a good idea?"

The door to the room opened, "In the hospital again!" Dean charged in. "Is everything ok?"

"She's pregnant," said Palmer.

"Yes I know," answered Dean.

"Does her boyfriend know?"

"Nope, she was concerned about how he would take her playing Quidditch."

"He'd have every right to be concerned. It's a brutal game and now she's bandaged."

"Are you two done," Ginny said looking from Palmer to Dean.

"I can't believe you're with child."

"Well I am. You heard the healer, everything's fine. My usual physician said it was okay since I already play," she shrugged. "He may have then gone on to say he didn't recommend it just in case I got hit by a bludger, another person, fell from my broom…"

"Got a large chuck of broom wedged in your leg and lost a lot of blood," Palmer finished.

"So perhaps it wasn't the best idea but I wanted a world cup and you know what I got one!" She hoisted her fist in the air triumphantly.

"You sure did," grinned Palmer, "I am so proud of you!"

Dean sighed, "I might as well tell you now."

"Tell me what," Ginny didn't like how worried Dean looked.

"They're contesting the win, specifically your catch of the snitch." Dean was worried about telling Ginny, she was a hot head and most likely would explode but mostly he was pissed. After he was done making sure Ginny was alright he was going to have to get into work mode. Wilford is not happy.

"Excuse me," he just had to be joking.

"This is some kind of supreme joke right," chuckled Palmer. "She clearly caught the snitch."

"Yes she did, they are making the case that it shouldn't count because you weren't on your own broom," he explained.

A few years ago if Ginny had received this news she would have blown a gasket. Complete with swearing, alcohol, and finishing up by curling into a ball. She wasn't going to act that way now, she matured but she was going to voice her frustration, "This is completely absurd. Palmer get in contact with Garrett at once. Where did Seamus disappear to?"

"I saw him in the hall; I told him what was happening he said he was going to start damage control. Mostly I think he didn't want to be here when I told you," said Dean. "Although I will admit you are taking this a lot better than I thought."

"Yeah, yeah, get me out of this thing," Ginny said reaching up to unhook her leg.

"You haven't been released yet," Dean said stopping her.

"I'm fine, I have stuff to do. Palmer also see about moving up our portkey, I want to get out of here tonight."

"I'll take care of all of that if Dean is willing to stay here with you," Palmer didn't want to leave her; she may try to sneak away before getting the all clear.

"I will guard Ginny."

"Great, I'll get your lawyer on the floo, find Seamus, get our stuff, and move up the portkey. See you in a bit," he left them alone.

Ginny leaned back into her pillows, this was just awful.

"Don't worry Gin it's going to be fine. The league has got the legal team on it."

"I know," she really hoped she didn't just get this far to end up with nothing.

"I'm also really glad that you and the baby are alright."

She sighed, "me too."

"Another World Cup, another visit to the hospital, I suppose this is going to be our tradition."

"Adding to my war wounds," Ginny said sullenly.

"This isn't funny Gin."

"I wasn't trying to be, yes I know that I shouldn't have been on the pitch but I wanted this. Do you realize how uncommon it is for a team to make it to the finals of a world cup two tournaments in a row? I worked my ass off for this and nothing was going to stand in my way. This is going to be the last time I ever get to just think about myself, it was nice to go out with a bang… or so I thought because apparently I may not have won."

"It's good that you're staying calm."

"No need to get worked up and make myself sick."

"That's true because I haven't mentioned the shit you're going to be in for violating you contract."

"I haven't violated my contract."

"You're pregnant; I know that you're not stupid enough to play this season. Which means you'll be out after a world cup win which is in violation of your contract."

Ginny rolled her eyes, "oh that. I'll worry about that later." She wasn't sure if she would even be out the whole season besides, "Who knows if I'm even a world cup champion?"

"If it counts for anything I know that you are. Plus I'm going to an uncle which is awesome!"

Both Ginny and Dean laughed, "It hasn't really hit me yet that I'm going to be a mother, although there is something kind of wonderful about the idea that my child got to win a world cup with me."

Dean smiled, "so what happens now?

"Well I'm probably going to throw up a lot and become extremely irritable and in eight months baby," she shrugged.

"You're already always irritable."

She hit him on the arm, "I am not!"

"No you're right you're just mean," they laughed as he stepped out of her reach before she could hit him again.

"Muy bien, Señorita Weasley, eres libre de irte," the nurse came in and took Ginny's leg out of the apparatus.

As Dean helped her out of the bed, the door burst open again. "Great, you've been released we can get out of here tonight but we have twenty minutes to get to the portkey," Palmer handed Ginny the pants he brought her to change into.

"Is everything sorted," she asked as she pulled her pants on over her cut ones.

"Garrett is expecting me as soon as we land, Seamus, Herman, and all of our stuff are on the way to the portkey."

"Cool… Dean we'll see you back in London."

(***)

"Not yet, he's out of town on business and I figured I'd tell him when he gets back. This is the kind of news you deliver in person."

"It most definitely is."

"I'm nervous, I'm scared to give birth but I'm also scared that I won't be able to instill the right values in my child…"

"I think that you will you sought help when you were feeling overwhelmed and troubled. You are taking responsibility for yourself. We've been working together for a few years now and I see a tremendous change in you." Vivian Vogel psychiatric healer told Ginny as they sat in her office for her usual bi-monthly appointment.

It all started about three weeks after she beat up Draco, on Christmas Eve. She showed up in the office unannounced, they were closed just finishing up some paper work before the holidays. But Ginny persisted…

"Yes I realize I don't have an appointment. I was just hoping that the healer could fit me in."

"If you need immediate assistance you should go to the hospital," the secretary said.

"I am in a psychiatric healer's office how am I just supposed to go the hospital?"

"We really need to work on our health care system," She mused aloud.

"I agree with you but right now I am not up for discussions on problems with our society."

She lucked out because the healer had stepped out for a coffee run and agreed to give Ginny a quick consultation.

Ginny's Apartment

Holyhead Island, Wales

Ginny entered her apartment; she placed her handbag and the post on top of a stack of boxes near the door. Her one bedroom apartment was quaint; it was the perfect size for her and Herman. However the living room was currently full of boxes. She was moving back to London, she and her boyfriend were taking the big step and moving in together. Herman came wandering in from the back of the apartment and walked right to her, his tail wagging happily.

"Hi love," she petted him. "Why weren't you waiting for me at the door as usual?"

"Gin I'm here!"

"That's way" her beau had returned and he was off somewhere in the apartment.

"Hi," he came into the living room.

"Hey," she kissed him. "What are you doing here?"

"We got finished a bit early and I wanted to see you. I completely forgot you had your healer's appointment. I've only been here for about ten minutes."

"I'm happy to see you," she kissed him again before she let go of him.

"I'm happy to see you too. I was also happy to see you got so much packing done."

She chuckled, "you act as if I'm completely hopeless. I know we're on a schedule." She had to be out of the apartment by September 1.

"Well sometimes you're last minute and sometimes you're very organized."

"I have to be organized all the time now, since I am no longer Palmer's one and only," she sighed. Palmer had branched out and started his own small independent management firm. He had people working under him and was shaping the careers of a bunch of up and comers. He always handled her career personally and Ginny was proud of him but she missed the days when it was just him and her.

"That's not an excuse. Has he ever managed your personal life?"

"Nope, what do you want to do for dinner," Ginny asked heading over to the kitchen, which was part of the living room.

"I don't know I'm kind of tired."

"I'll throw something together," she said looking through the cupboards. "How was your trip?"

"Stressful," he sighed. "While you do that, I am going to go take a quick shower."

"Ok"

While he went to shower, Ginny began to pull together a quick dinner. She decided on pasta and after she put the water on she went to her room to change. She was just going to throw on something simple, she felt like looking good. How were you supposed to tell the man you've been seeing that you've accidentally got pregnant? In a nice outfit and romantically over candle light, right?

She slipped into a black strapless dress, and whirled her wand to give a slight curl to her long pixie. Then she went back to the kitchen to finish dinner. As she cooked, Herman was dancing around hoping that she would drop some food down. He was so big he could reach it himself when he stood on his hind legs. Some days he would get really bold and do just that.

"So is that world cup nonsense sorted," her boyfriend entered the kitchen buttoning his shirt. "Herman get down," he told the dog as he got up on his hind legs to get to the pan on the stove. "Wow," he noticed the table; Ginny had set the table with candle light. "Gin you really went all out."

"Not really," he was going to be singing a different tune when he saw the spaghetti and salad.

"It's nice and you look nice," he kissed her on the neck. "So we'll need wine, white or red?"

"Red," she put the food on the table.

When they were both seated, she took a deep breath. "So…"

"They didn't sort out the world cup win." He assumed because she seemed nervous

"Oh, um they're still working on it. But the odds are in my favor, Garrett gives me daily updates."

"Honestly, there is no rule that you have to be on your own broom when you catch the snitch," he poured them each a glass of wine. "I am so sorry I missed it."

"Me too," she didn't want to talk about Quidditch right now there was a more pressing matter. "So I have some news."

"Good news I hope."

She smiled, "yes it's very good, surprising but good… you see the thing is I'm pregnant." He didn't say anything; he put down his fork and just stared at her. She had no idea what he was thinking. "I told you it was happy news."

"Yes it is… it's just um. I never pictured myself as a father. I would make a terrible father."

She sighed, "I wasn't expecting this either."

"I know. I suppose this happened at a good time with us getting ready to move in together," he picked up his glass of wine.

Or perhaps it wasn't the best time. This reaction wasn't unexpected but at least he didn't get up and run away. Ginny picked up her own wine glass and took a large gulp.

"Should you be drinking that," he asked.

"I won't tell Wilford if you won't"

"I mean because you're pregnant."

"Oh, the healer said a glass of red wine every once in awhile is ok. Seeing as I drink once in a blue moon, I think I'm alright," she put her glass down and concentrated on dinner. They ate quietly for awhile.

Something occurred to him, "did you know you were pregnant when you left for the world cup?"

"Yes, I had just found out."

"So it wasn't the flu."

"No"

He put down his fork again, "so you were pregnant when you fell from your broom?"

"Yes"

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"I was thinking you were going to make a fuss so best not to tell you."

He looked at her as if she lost her mind, "so you're carrying my child and you didn't think it right to discuss doing something potentially dangerous with me?"

"Draco," she eyed him, "you should know by now you don't get to decide what I do and don't do."

"I understand that but I thought you were smart enough to know being with child you shouldn't be pulling death defying stunts."

"My healer said it was fine. I know how you can overreact so I didn't mention it. I am an athlete and I can keep being one while I'm pregnant. So you know I have been at practice every day since I have returned home. I haven't completely decided what to do yet."

"Sit the season out," Draco said as if it was obvious.

"I told management of the situation and I've been thinking about it. Perhaps I'll just play the first half but then people will question my absence and pregnancy will be a pretty good guess and I don't want everyone in our business," she was basically musing aloud not really paying attention to Draco. "But if I do just take the season off I feel like there could be the potential for a more believable reason."

"Ginny," Draco said calmly, "I don't think you should play this season. There is just too much that can go wrong."

Ginny knew he was right but she didn't like the idea of him making this decision for her. She also knew she hadn't wrapped her head around the fact that it wasn't just her decision to make. It's Draco's child too and she'd have to consider what was good for their child.

"Ok"

"Really, ok" he couldn't believe he won that easily, there had to be a catch.

"Yes, I won't argue or protest. I will tell Darren first thing that I am out for the entire season."

"How far along are you?"

"About seven weeks"

"So by the time you have the child, you'll have plenty of time to bond and heal before training camp," pointed out Draco.

"That's true"

They ate some more in silence, Draco put down his fork again and stood up quickly, "if you'll excuse me." He rushed to the bathroom.

Two Weeks Later

Tuesday

Ginny sighed, "I finally told Draco about the pregnancy."

"Good, how did he take the news?"

"He threw up"

Healer Vogel chuckled, "really?"

"Yup, not instantly, I suppose the idea of him being a parent had to soak in a little."

"It's natural to be nervous."

"This is not a good sign, he may just split."

"I think it's a bit too soon to jump to that conclusion."

"I'd rather know now before I move in with him. Palmer took it better than him when the healer told him. I expected him to be more upset because I've put a detour in my career plans."

"Excuse me, the healer," Vogel wanted clarification.

"Well I may have gotten injured during the world cup and went to the hospital but everything is fine. The healer was telling me how stupid I was for playing since I'm pregnant and Palmer was standing there."

"I believe I too told you not to play," she looked at Ginny sternly.

"I know but it was the world cup," she smiled innocently. "Everything worked out."

She sighed, "Anyway, other than the vomiting has he given you any indication that he is going to leave?"

"No but up until recently I wasn't pregnant."

"Ginny you have to understand men and having children. They like the idea and the making but they never want to know about the biological parts. You give birth and before the week is out they'll be asking why you're still fat and when you'll sleep with them. When I had my daughter my husband would not hold her for the first year of her life, he was afraid he would break her," she said exasperated. "Men can be odd. But they usually surprise you and despite their imperfections care endlessly for their families. My daughter is now 35 and she and her father are extremely close. So again I will say it is too soon for you to be concerned with him leaving."

"I suppose but I'd rather just know now… he asked me to sit out this season and I agreed. There is no more mulling, I am out."

"That is the responsible decision"

Ginny nodded she knew it was but she loved her job. "I am officially resting my injured leg and fulfilling all my charitable obligations." She sighed and looked at her hands.

Healer Vogel felt like she was missing something. Ginny seemed to be holding something back, a pathetic man wasn't really a reason to go through all this.

"I'm going to be a terrible mother," Ginny spoke still looking at her hands.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because I'm selfish," she stopped playing with her hands and rested her elbow on the arm rest and looked at the healer.

"We keep coming back to this and Ginny you have done tremendous work in this area. You honored Draco's request to sit out the season."

"After I didn't bother to tell him I was pregnant so I wouldn't have to consider his opinion."

"We all have slips."

"True but we all don't have the kind of relationship that Draco and I have. It was truly self serving. When Draco and I reconciled, I felt as if I didn't have the right to be with him, not after what I did to him…"

Four Years Ago

Christmas

Ginny was at her temporary home celebrating Christmas alone. Yesterday she dropped the gifts for her family at her parents' home, she told them she was spending the holidays with Draco. She failed to mention their recent divorce.

She made dinner for herself and Herman and they were curled up in her bed getting ready to watch "A Christmas Story", they had been advertising it all month. This was her favorite thing about staying among the muggles she got to watch television. She was going to have to purchase one for her new home. She rented an apartment on Holyhead Island among the muggles, she was moving in on January 1. Her one bedroom was going to have to have a television in it.

Herman hopped off the bed and left the room. Ginny heard him bark and didn't think anything of it; a few moments later there was a knock on the door. Ginny climbed out of bed and went down the hall. Herman was standing there wagging his tail, she looked through the peep hole and there stood Draco.

Ginny sighed and opened the door, "what are you doing here?"

"Happy Christmas to you too"

"I'm sorry, Happy Christmas. What are you doing here?"

"I received a very interesting owl today. Apparently we're still married." Draco pushed passed her into the apartment. "It was really quite curious."

"Draco," Ginny sighed, "we're not."

"My lawyer seems to be under a different impression."

"I just turned your divorce papers in yesterday; I've just been tied up with getting ready to get back on the pitch. But we are legally divorced," She explained she felt really bad; he had come here probably hoping for better news.

"I was in St Bart's the letter was post marked two days ago," he ran his hands through his hair, he was frustrated.

Christmas with his parents was actually going okay, but that was mainly because they were vacationing with Perry's family. But his mind has been elsewhere lately and that was on their divorce. He hasn't told anyone, he didn't want to give his parents the satisfaction. All day this has been bothering him and finally this afternoon he couldn't take it anymore, then he received an owl from his lawyer. He thought it was a sign, so he came back to London. Perry was going to kill him for leaving him alone with their parents but he met a girl on the beach and forgot Draco even existed.

"I'm so sorry," she said sincerely.

"Its fine," it really wasn't but he was going to pretend it was. "Why aren't you at your parents?"

"Ugh, I don't have the stomach to deal with them right now."

"What did they do?"

"Nothing, Harry did something. After he imposed on us at home, he ran to my parents and told them you were beating me up."

Draco snorted, "He got that a bit backwards."

"Anyway, my father didn't believe him but my mother was not so easily convinced. I just didn't want to put up with it. Besides Herman and I are having a really lovely Christmas."

"I bet you are." He knelt down where Herman had been dancing around his legs, "are you having a good Christmas boy," he licked Draco and his tail was wagging double time, Herman clearly missed him. Draco kissed him on top of the head and stood up. "I miss him."

"If you want we can work out a visitation schedule."

"That would be nice," Draco said scratching behind Herman's ear. "You're still wearing your wedding band."

Ginny nervously touched her ring, "yes, I haven't broken the news to anyone just yet. You're still wearing yours."

"I too haven't told anyone either. When do you think you're publicly going to break the news?"

Ginny hadn't really thought about it, she just wanted to divorce and move on with her Quidditch career she hadn't even considered what a divorce announcement would do or when was an appropriate time to announce such a thing. She married Draco for gain but she left him out of concern. "Honestly, I haven't thought about it."

"Well if you're willing could you wait until after new years? I've been invited to this charity masquerade thing and if would be nice if we could pull off one last ruse."

"How appropriate"

"Well it's a high society thing a lot of French aristocrats and government officials it's a good…"

"Place for you the up and coming lawyer to schmooze," she finished knowingly.

"Exactly and it would just be smoother with you on my arm."

Ginny thought about it, she already broke his heart, beat him, and disappointed him when he arrived here thinking there was a tiny shred of hope. Would it really be so bad to make one last appearance with him?

New Year's Eve

Ginny stood in front of the mirror examining her freckled face, her wet hair wrapped in a towel. Draco was in the shower in the corner and it was just weird to be with him like this. They hadn't spent any significant time together since the World Cup. Now they were in Marseilles at Sophie and Yves' beautiful home getting ready for a charity New Year's event that Sophie was hosting.

She began her makeup routine; she had gotten better at this. She was never really awful at applying makeup but now she could boost a few skills. She wasn't going all out because she was going to be wearing a mask.

She removed the towel from her wet hair and looked around for her wand so she could dry it. Draco's was resting on the vanity near the sink so she took it and pointed it at her head and heat began to blow on her hair.

"I think my wand likes you," Draco said getting out of the shower as he wrapped a towel around himself. He grabbed another towel and began drying his hair as he left the bathroom.

Ginny smiled to herself, he was right. The wand didn't seem resistant at all. When she was done drying her hair, she sectioned her hair into four parts. She put large curls in each section and pinned them up and went to get dressed.

In the closet she stepped into a nude gown. The form fitting boned bodice has a sheer organza overlay, the bottom a full skirt of layered sheer and semi sheer organza with embroidered and beaded flowers. She reached behind herself to zip it up…

"I got it," Draco came up behind her and took hold of the zipper.

Ginny looked at her refection in the full length mirror as Draco stood behind her, "I miss you."

Draco looked up and stared at her. "This is news… you were so adamant about leaving me. We've signed papers and I've got scars."

"I know and I know that I have absolutely no right to miss you. But I do. The real reason it took me a long time to turn in the divorce papers was because I was mulling things over…"

"What was there to mull over?"

"The fact that I kind of don't want to live without you around"

"What makes you think I'm not satisfied with the divorce?"

"It's actually occurred to me that you might just want to keep things the way they are. Especially now that we've spent some time a part. Perhaps gained some perspective … There is absolutely no excuse for what I did to you. No matter how many fights or insults we have traded since we first met absolutely nothing you have done to me personally warrants my treatment of you. I am so sorry." Ginny said sincerely.

"This is something to consider. What happened that you even had to mull?"

"A number of things, but the two major things were Percy and Vivian."

"Who's Vivian?"

"My psychiatric healer, she's really been helping me with a number of things including you. But Percy pointed out something to me, he knows about us and the charade. I didn't tell him, he just knew and he seems to be under the impression that my relationship with you is full hesitation because I know what being with you means. He was right and yet again I have acted selfishly, faux or not I should have been fully committed to us."

Draco turned away from the mirror. He had taken some time to think about them. At first he was just upset she didn't want to be with him but after their divorce being finalized and Christmas, he was thinking more rationally. He loves her pure and simple but they couldn't build a relationship on what ifs and lies. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out, "I think we were right to divorce."

Ginny was completely surprised to hear this. The idea of him being enamored with her went out the window.

"I suppose this wasn't the best time to bring this up."

"No it's fine, I invited you here and I did it to not have to answer any questions. On my end Gunter knows because I told him when I realized I liked you. He said it wouldn't work and I didn't want to prove him right. He later told Sophie who called me an idiot and I had already proven her right."

"And now"

"They know there is trouble in paradise." He turned back to her, "They think we're working through it."

"We should finish getting ready and appearing as if we're working through it." Ginny began to unpin her curls.

"If I hadn't come up with this ridiculous idea I would have never really met you and I wouldn't have fallen… and you wouldn't be hurt by the spurning of your family and friends… You and I have to learn to work in reality." Draco watched her take down her hair.

"I know I've just sprung this on you and you can tell me to go to hell and take your time but are you willing to live in reality with me?"

"Well there will definitely have to be some new rules… this open relationship for example would be over. I feel like we should try to be in a relationship. No more ridiculous publicity stunts, I think we should just try to be us."

She nodded, "that sounds reasonable."

"Also your hair"

"Yeah it's growing out," she ran her fingers through her curls. It was hanging a bit past her shoulders now. Hair maintenance hadn't really been on her mind since her World Cup accident. "I've been meaning to get it cut although some people seem relieved it's growing."

"Actually I like it short, it's grown up Ginny. It's sexy"

She blushed, "sexy huh?"

"What can I say; I like a feisty red head with a bob."

"Me too, I was also thinking of going shorter, like a pixie or something." She kept fingering combing so her curls would turn into soft waves.

"Well as you know I love you."

"I am aware."

"And you've consider my answer could be yes or no?"

"I considered both possible outcomes."

"Good… Weasel want to go steady?"

Ginny laughed, "That's so sweet. Yes I would… but as much as I want this to be real and us to try and move forward there is a lie I think we should keep intact, at least publicly and to our families which is that we're still married."

"Yes of course I completely agree, no matter what I would never want to make Lucius that happy."

(***)

"But he willingly took you back," said Healer Vogel. "He was open to having you in his life."

"Yes but it wasn't easy… it was awkward. It was like we were back at square one as strangers."

"Well you told me that your relationship began as a plot for each of you to have certain successes. And when he took you back it was on the pretense that you two were going to be a real couple. That was new for you."

"Yeah… Draco and I never talk about the future. We don't make plans or anything. For some reason I've been nervous to even bring it up."

"Has Draco ever tried to bring it up?"

"No he hasn't. He just seems cool to keep things status quo."

"Why?"

"I think we are both a bit insecure since our relationship didn't have the best beginning so who knows what will happen."

"Draco has made it clear that he loves you."

"Yes he has. I don't know what I would do if anything were to ever happen to him. He's… wonderful," she chuckled.

"That's not hard to believe. He's been faithful, consistent, and encouraging. People look for that in a partner."

"It's now that I'm concerned about our lack of planning because we have a child on the way. We are going to have to have some serious conversations. Granted I'm only a couple months pregnant but nine months really isn't that long."

"That's all true. So why have you and the wonderful Draco not made any plans?"

Ginny looked directly at her healer, "is this one of those times where you know the answer but you want me to tell you the answer myself?"

Healer Vogel smiled slightly, "this journey is for your learning not mine. How will you ever learn if you don't calculate the answer?"

Ginny sighed; she had a pretty good idea what the answer was. "I think Draco doesn't bring up the future because he's unsure of my feelings. I've never told him I love him."

"Do you love him?"

"The Second Tuesday"