Chapter 2

That day in August was the last time she saw Draco in London. Michael said his brother had moved to Scotland to attend college, and rarely appeared to be with his family.

Michael wasted no time in winning Ginny over. Without his brother there, she fel for the childish smile and constant good humor. 7 years passed barely unnoticed and they decided it was time to take the next step. They had finished their studies, both had steady jobs, why not?

This was the reason that led Ginny to her hometown after living in York for such a long time, working as a schoolteacher - to prepare the big day with her family.

"Sorry this dinner was so sudden, I know you'd prefer to rest" Michael's voice pulled her away from her thoughts.

Ginny looked at the reflection of the mirror. He had his head down while trying to button his shirt sleeves. Bitting his tongue making an expression of effort as if the task was almost impossible to achieve.

They were staying at his parent's. The bed was covered with dresses that completely covered the embroidered quilt, a table was full of makeup and facial products, the open suitcase on the floor, and Ginny, red hair stuck at the top of her head and no makeup, was front of the mirror with two dresses in hand.

"It's okay," she said, tilting her head to the right and narrowing her brown eyes, undecided. "You know that I would change colored pencils for pearls any day of the week"

"And I also know it's weird to sleep in separate bedrooms, but my parents insisted" Michael walked towards her, smiling, and kissed the place between her neck and shoulder. "Wear the pink one"

"Black it is" she said, smiling and throwing the pink piece of fabric on the bed."It doesn't matter to me, and if your parents feel better if we sleep in separate rooms ..."

"But it's stupid," he complained, sitting on the bed, "We live together. We're about to get married. We've been together for so many years. It makes no sense "

"They are old school" Ginny turned to him, "And we are under their roof, so I think we should respect their wishes. Right?"

"Right," Michael muttered, holding her by the waist "But it's so unfair!"

"I know," she laughed and kissed the top of his head, "Now you should go help your parents while I get dressed"

"Okay," Michael stood up and left the room closing the door carefully.

The reason Ginny had to wear a nice dress and high heels instead of a cute pajamas and warm socks were her parents. They insisted that they should throw an engagement party, as tradition dictates. Getting engaged without a party was bad luck. All of her six brothers had made engagement parties and wedding galas, but at least Fred and George had decided to marry on the same day, so Ginny didn't had to go through two whole days full of Weasley's asking her about her engagement.

She puto n her black lace dress and her black stripped Jimmy Choo's. After applying mascara, she let down her curly hair and left the room, turning out the light behind her.

As she descended the stairs, she asked herself how her life had brought her here. How everything had changed in so little time, and would change so much more in the near future. She didn't knew if she was ready for it. She knew she was a girl to marry but to marry now?

The environment around her changed so much since that afternoon of August. The hotel had been increased when Michael's parents bought the building next door and opened another 60 rooms, and took the opportunity to remodel the old one. The only part that remained the same was her beloved Reception Hall.

But Michael's parents had turned the ground floor of their new building into a bigger room, but decided to keep the old one to serve the meals. Her party would be at the new one. And Ginny, guessing many hours of forced smiles and small talk, decided to give herself a moment of quiet and walked towards the old Reception Hall.

She opened the door with a slight squeak of the hinges in need of oil. She expected to find the hall empty but saw a figure next to the paned Windows that turned to see her when the door openned.

"Sorry, I thought it was empty," she said, flustered.

"It's okay. You may come in anyway"

She saw the almost white hair glowing with the moonlight and the bright gray eyes that looked like water in a crystal glass. Dressed up, a little more full-bodied, with a glass of whiskey in hand. Draco seemed to be just like wine, he aged well.

"Draco, hi" greeted Ginny, smiling and approaching him, the light hitting her skin, making it more pale and pearly than it was.

"Hi .. Ginny, Michael's friend. Am I right?" He gave her a half smile.

"Now it's fiancée" she corrected.

"I told you you'd be his new girlfriend. I just thought you wouldn't be the last one" Draco looked away and drank from his cup.

"Back then I couldn't guess," she said, and it sounded strangely simmilar to an excuse. Why would she have the need to justify this? She hardly knew him. He had nothing to do with her life.

"Good point," He smiled and walked away from the window. "You should go. The prince must be waiting for you, he won't be happy if he finds you with the old evil sorcerer"

"I can take care of myself" said Ginny, turning and heading towards the door.

"You're more beautiful now than seven years ago" she heard Draco's voice say, and it felt like that day again.

"Thank you" she replied, stopping at the door and looking over her shoulder, "You're not too bad either"

Ginny walked to the location of the party, her hands shaking. She tried to control herself the whole time she was near him, trying not to look like the same 17 year-old girl, nervous and embarrassed.

Entering the new Hall, a whole crowd pf redheaded people stood around her, her mother, brothers, nephews, all wanting to hug her and talk to her at once. When she got rid of them, she took Michael's side and felt a tingling in her back, like someone watching was watching her. She looked back.

It was a pair of clear gray eyes.