Merlin Help Me!

Chapter

The Plotting Thickens...

Ginny's POV

In the days that followed, I admit a part of me was trying to find ways to include Draco in Beth's life. As hurt and angry as I was at, and with, him, I still saw a man who just wanted to get to know his child.

I wanted to wait until Narcissa returned to talk to her about her spending time with Draco and Beth. I also wanted to talk with her about her son making the right choices for gifts that were acceptable for Beth. I didn't want a two year old with a pony!

On the Wednesday after Draco had met her, Narcissa came over for a visit. I found I really like the woman. Beth sat in her high chair enjoying some crackers and cheese as Narcissa and I had tea. "Did you enjoy you weekend getaway?" I asked.

A small smile teased her face. "It was very lovely,"she replied.

"That's good. Does Lucius do that type of thing often?" I questioned.

She lifted her cup and took a sip. "It's been a long time, but there was the war, and Lucius' time away. He used to take me away regularly."

I smiled at her. "Narcissa, I wanted to talk to you about a couple of things."

She got a worried look on her face. "Ginny, I assure you Lucius would never do anything to harm Beth."

I now smiled at her. "That's not it at all. I know one day Lucius will meet her. I wanted to ask a favor of you; Draco wants to spend time with Beth, and I was hoping that you would be willing to be there with them until she gets used to him."

She looked over at Beth and smiled. "I am touched that you would ask, Ginny, but Beth is just getting used to me. It's one thing when you're here, or even me alone, but add a new person and she might not be ready for that yet. Why, is Draco giving you a hard time?"

"No, not really. Well, maybe a bit. Harry and Draco never got along. He is..."

"Draco never learned to share," she admitted.

"He is trying!" I defended Draco to his own mother. "Really trying. I think he's mad that Harry has been there for the things he has missed."

She surprised me with what she said next. "Then maybe he should have been a man and made sure that things were right with you when he ended things with you."

"I agree." I paused, "And maybe you're right about Beth."

"Just give her a bit more time," Narcissa suggested

"I will. The other thing is Harry and I don't want Beth to get spoiled. I mean, a small gift once in a while is fine, but at this point we don't want her getting things that most other children don't get, like a pony."

"You're worried Lucius or Draco might go overboard?" She then laughed hard. "I will lay down the law to them."

"Thank you very much. I was worried you might take offence," I admitted.

On Friday morning, there was an Owl from Draco:

Ginny,

Tomorrow will have been a week since I saw Beth.

I know you have a life, but I was hoping to see her.

I know I have to be around her for her to get used to

seeing me, so I had an idea; maybe I could join you

and her when you do your errands?

Please let me know when I can see her and you.

Draco

Draco's POV

I was willing to do anything to be with Ginny and Beth. I was relieved when Mother mentioned Ginny's request about Mother being the one there until Beth got comfortable with me. I care greatly for my mother, but it wold have been hard to show Ginny that I am a good father if she's not around. Mother's reason to Ginny was perfect.

Until either Beth was used to me or until Ginny once again looked forward to spending time with me, I would have to do whatever Ginny was doing.

After sending my Owl off, I knew I once again had to wait for her reply. I was disappointed that

the weekend was going to pass without me seeing them. I thought maybe making some plans for myself would help pass the time. As much as I would have liked to have had a shag, I couldn't risk Ginny finding out about it.

I knew she had to see me as a father, a great father, yet she also should have no more reasons to question my feelings for her. A meaningless shag would make her wonder. Even with the odds of her finding out being extremely low, there was no way I would risk it.

So if I wanted to pass some time, I figured my mates were the best option.

"Hi Blaise!" I placed a Floo call.

"Hey Draco. How are you?" He seemed surprised to hear from me.

"Not bad," I admitted. "I finally got to see Beth"

He smiled at me. "She's a pretty cute kid."

"Yes she is. Look," I cut to the chase, " I was wondering; did you want to get together this weekend? We could race brooms."

"Sorry Draco, I can't. I'm taking Luna away and we leave in an hour," he replied.

"Oh sure, it's always more fun shagging somewhere other than at home!" I grinned.

"No, it's not like that," he snapped, looking annoyed with me. "She works a lot and needs a break. Why don't you call Nott?"

"Already did. He's making a trip out of the country again." Nott was going to be out of the country visiting his father, who had fled as the final battle was coming to an end.

"Right. Sorry mate."

"Oh, don't worry about me. I'll figure something to do." I closed the connection and wandered back to my desk, only to hear a pop of the Floo. I turned back around to see Ginny's pretty face in my fire.

"Draco, are you there?" she asked.

I returned to the fireplace. "Yes, Ginny." I didn't expect to hear from her so fast. It worried me.

She smiled. "I got your Owl. I didn't want you to think I was avoiding you."

"Thank you." I returned her warm smile.

"I know what you said in the Owl, but Draco, I'm sure you wouldn't want to join Beth and myself in my errands tomorrow."

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"Why?" Her eyebrows rose, "Because we have to go into Muggle London."

"Ginny, I would be willing to go to Muggle London." I couldn't believe what I just said!

She froze for a second. "You? In Muggle shops? Right..." She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Yes, me in Muggle shops."

"Do you even have Muggle clothing?" she questioned. She already knew I did from last week.

"Slacks and a button down shirt are pretty simple," I replied.

"Fine, I guess, but you won't enjoy yourself," she warned.

"It's not about my pleasure, it's all about Beth."

"Alright, meet me-"

"-at your place tomorrow, around ten? By the way, what errands do you have in Muggle London?"

"I have to get an outfit for a Muggle funeral that we are attending on Monday," she explained.

"A Muggle funeral? Why are you going to one?" I asked.

"Harry's uncle Vernon died of a heart attack this week. Harry wants to attend," she explained to me.

"Oh. Who is watching Beth, then?" I asked.

She smiles at me. "My parents."

"Kay, well I will see you two tomorrow at ten. Lunch is my treat."

"Draco, you, Harry, and I need to sit down. We need to talk about what we're going to say when people start asking questions."

I knew she was right. As much as I hated to admit it, I wished that by the time people realized something was up, Ginny and Beth would be mine and with me. "I guess with the death of his uncle, now is not the best time?"

"Harry wasn't close to his uncle. If he's home when we are finished, maybe we could talk then. But Draco, for Beth's sake, you and he CAN'T fight or argue," she stressed.

I would do this for Beth and Ginny. I had to be a better man than Potter! It was the best way to get Ginny back. If that meant going shopping in Muggle London, I would. If it meant not fighting with Potter, I would find a way! I don't have a choice in the matter. I have to have my daughter, and her perfect mother!

I always had a thing for Ginny, even before I was willing to admit it to myself. Now I wanted her as my wife. I wanted it so bad I could taste it! I knew nothing else would give me greater pleasure than coming home to her and Beth. I knew how much I wanted to wake up in the morning with her lying next to me in bed. I wanted to know I could fight with her and afterwards we would still be together!

A/N Two things, One I know updates on all of my stories have been so in coming, so I want to focus my attention on finishing one story at a time. Please go to my profile page and vote in the poll for what two stories you most want to see finished.

Second thing, I opened a twitter account to update you on whats happening, new story ideas, ETA on new chapters stuff like that follow me eveilwoman