Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but I own the plot.

A/N: Sorry about the slightly delayed update. Finals. In which I am accused of cheating! I think I won't make it to Harvard…=(

Anyway, you aren't here for my complaints.

Thanks to all the corrections (esp. in French)! I guess I got a little vain like Colette and yeah…oops! (I had just posted a revised version of chap 2) And thank yous to all the reviews! (Thank You Section bottom as usual.) I never expected so many!

About the Weasleys' reactions: I'm hoping that as the plot develops I'll dig out a reason for its OOC-ness (most likely the reason will be OOC). For now, I hope you will put up with it. Terribly sorry.

Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention, Colette Atort-her last name means to make a mistake or something. So in French, the sentence is Colette a tort, which means Colette made a mistake…I think. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Bride of a Dragon

By: Katrina

Conversation

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

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

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

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

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

"Do you have an appointment?" he asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~

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

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

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

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

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

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

"C'est impossible!" shouted Colette. "Draco, tell her that she is wrong."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Molly lingered hesitantly. "I'm scared," she said. "He seems so mad and mean."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"And I'm supposedly going to be a good father," said Draco dryly.

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

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

"You," replied Ginny simply.

Draco frowned at her. "Me?" he said. "What? Why?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~*~

"A bet?" Draco looked perplexed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"And if I do fall in love with you?"

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

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

"We'll see, won't we?" said Ginny. "Molly, we're going!"

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

"Goodbye, Virginia. Goodbye, Molly," said Draco.

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

A/N: Do you think the reaction seems realistic? Personally I wasn't satisfied. Drop your opinions in the reviews and if you have suggestions to revise it, tell me! But before you flame, remember I seriously tried! ^^ Hope it lives at least someway up to your expectations. *tries to smile but got hit by tomatoes*

Horrible French trans.

C'est impossible-this is impossible

Tais-toi-shut up

Correct me if I'm wrong. Blame my French teacher. I just thought that Colette would speak French in a rage, as it's her native tongue.

~Katrina

Immense thanks to:

blazenfury-thanks for reviewing and putting it in your Fav. Stories! I'll keep on writing so it'll be down before OotP comes out. Missy-yup, Draco and Ginny are like Romeo and Juliet, except they are going to live happily ever after! I hope you found this chapter interesting too, and hope my D/G interaction satisfy you. =) miss-talkative-thanks! I'll promise to write every chance I get! Yeuua Summoner-*blushes* thanks! I'm glad you think it's interesting. KRINGLE-oh yes, Draco better marry Ginny, but don't worry, Ginny will make sure of that. Many thanks for your compliments. Rebuky-sorry bout the cliffie! It just came. It seems like BOD is just forcing me to have cliffies. I'll try not to have any anymore. Let's hope I can keep it! =P nicole-I'm sorry! *gets down on knees* I'm updating as fast as I can, and I promise there won't be that many cliffies. SeZzA-*evil grin* Draco's fiancée is no match for Ginny,  but I'm not sure what I'll do about it yet. Jenn-yes, I'm updating as soon as I can! Thanks very much! Dannie7-*hides* Oops! Ahhh…everyone's mad that I left off at a cliffie…I seriously didn't mean to…don't be hurt! =) When I have more time after my finals, I'll read the stories under your penname. Mint-Oops! Horrible French, I know, even after three years-blame my French teacher! Thanks for the corrections. I'll correct them as soon as I can. Mm…the Weasleys' reactions…I guess I'm not very good at that. I kind of revised it (it still sucks) and I'll try to get them in and maybe characterize them better, or (see my A/N) I'll dig out a reason as the plot develops. Tara-thanks! I am hoping to update very frequently while my Muse is still alive and kicking. Yup. Crystal-well, now you know, but that isn't all. Arafel-hope you'll continue liking it! Thank you for reviewing. Turquoisetears-actually, I didn't mean to, but now it doesn't seem like such a bad idea. Both of them are quite haughty…=) Sydney Lynne-sorry about the grammar mistakes. English isn't my first language and when I'm rushing these mistakes happen. Thank you loads for your offer, but I am a very paranoid and would feel embarrassed to take up other people's times like that; but still, I'll remember your offer once my psychiatrist (a.k.a. me) talk some sense into me. Hope you like Draco's reaction. Dathrian Princess-thanks for the review. Lady Godiva-yeah, I guess Ginny's kinda bitchy, but you know, after how her family treated her…and she was pretty drunk. I love both Ginny and Draco, but just remember-people do crazy things in a passionate rage! Oh sheesh I sound cheesy. Sin-I know my French is horrible, and thanks for the corrections. Thanks for reviewing! OpalKoboi-I'll bash Colette even more if you'd like! =) I was just afraid that reviewers would sympathize with her…o_O and just shun poor Ginny aside. Thank you for reviewing! Reven Eid-Thanks for the review. I'm not sure what you meant by "it", but I assume you mean the showdown between Gin and Draco? Yup, in that case, yes, as you could see. =) solemnpessimist-Colette is rather vain, because, I mean no offense of course, from the way my French teacher acts, I just couldn't help modeling his fiancée after her. Lol. Thank you for reviewing and complimenting! goldenstar555-thanks! I'll post more soon, and I hope the chapters will get better. Chap 2 was a bit under standard, however, because I guess I got a little lightheaded after all the reviews. Riverchic1998-sorry about the cliffie. But look on the positive side: I update faster after every cliffie. jane-valar-thanks! I think another fanfic influenced me to let Draco own a bank, but I'm not sure which. And that means I get a free ticket to bash Colette, right? *grins* Voice-unusual? You flatter me!  I'm not sure about the length of the story thought, but yes, it will most likely go over ten chapters. Colette is evil! I give you free rein to beat her all you want! frananddragon-oh thanks! Yup, I know my French sucks. Shows what procrastination from studying can do to you. Oops! You're so nice to point out that my details are okay. =) Hope this chapter is better. Sayo-mm…thanks! Draco is a comedy figure in the second chappie. =P Sangel-yup, go Ginny! =) txt.eva-oh, thanks about the compliment! I think chapter three came out pretty fast. *hopeful smile* Actually, I didn't mean to write a cliffie, but it just came… Jeeka-hope you'll continue liking it! YvettE-you don't need to beg! With every review I get I become happier and feel more obligated to update sooner. Jocelyn Padoga-Ooh, thanks for your wonderful support! Glad you like the suspense. =) Kat-I updated. Thanks for reviewing. NiMiBabe-aww…thanks. I did have some mistakes, but glad you enjoyed it all the same. =) Anh D-ao-as you can see, he's okay with Molly, and he will be fine with Gin. Melzie-thanks! I had finals, but I still try to update every week. (not this time because I had a block, unfortunately) Darco'sGirl-yeah! You think it's interesting! That motivates me so much! I love comments like these…gee, I sound so vain of myself. *shamed* Anyway, hope this chapter is okay. Louisa Potter-oh, thank you so much! =) nicole-thanks very much! Mmm…you'll sort of find out what our Draco would do in the next chappie. Suggestions to spice things up are welcome! Ditzy Spacecadets-hmm…hope I'll make it to excellent soon! ;) Shyla-thanks! I usually feel sorry for these characters too, but hey, there's got to be a bad guy somewhere! =) Mistress del Mare-thanks for understanding about my delayed updates! I try to get my chapters at least to everyone's expectations as much as I can before I post. Rivenloe-hehe…glad you're on my side! Eternal Queen-gee thanks. I hope you're satisfied with Draco's reaction to Molly being his daughter. (no name)-you're right that I have a horrible portrayal of the Weasley family's reaction. I think I'm going to incorporate a reason for that.

I know I missed someone. Please, if you reviewed and your name isn't here…tell me and then murder me! I'm sorry but FFN is a bit low-keyed these days. *Glares at the administrator*