"Draco Malfoy!" screeches Ron as he towers over his younger sister who is currently sobbing away on his couch.
Hermione glares at him. "Ron, you said you would be sensitive." She warns
"That was before I found out that her secret boyfriend all these months was Draco bloody Malfoy!" He spins to his sister again. "What did you expect!? He's a Malfoy, of course he would do something like this!"
"I know." Ginny says quietly as she wipes some tears away with her hands. "You're right."
Ron's anger washes away as he takes in her depressed demeanor. He takes a seat beside her and puts his arms around her shoulders. "He's not worth it, Gin. No guy should have you crying in our living room for three weeks straight. You deserve so much better then this."
"I know, but it still hurts." She says as she relaxes into his embrace.
Hermione sits on her other side. "It will get better." She says with a sad smile. "You need to start moving again. Are you going to go back to work tomorrow?"
Ginny nods her head as an affirmative. "I don't want to get fired."
"Well, that's a start in the right direction." She says while patting her leg.
An owl swoops onto the window ledge and impatiently taps on the glass with its sharp beak. They all turn their heads and Ginny groans, sitting further back into the cushions. Hermione gets up and opens the window dodging the owl as it nips at her fingers. The dark bird flies in the room pompously and lands in front of Ginny, extending the leg that holds a letter. She unties it reluctantly and runs her fingers along the Malfoy crest that seals it and the elegant handwriting that's addressed to her on the front.
"Do you want me to tell him to stop writing you." Growls Ron, with a fierce gleam in his eyes.
She hands the letter to Hermione. "No, just burn it. Like all the others."
"Maybe you should read it?" suggests Hermione as she stands up. "Don't you want to know what he has to say?"
"He's still getting married next month." Snaps Ginny. "So no, I don't want to see what he has to say."
Hermione nods her head and throws the envelope into the fire. Ginny watches as the paper burns and the fire cracks. Since she first read the paper three weeks ago she has been in a depressed slump and constantly feels like she's underwater, drowning. The papers report everyday on Draco's engagement, it's going to be the wedding of the year and everyone who's anyone will be invited.
An idea comes to her mind and she gets up to find her bag that she packed for herself when she started staying here. She ruffles through it and takes out the beautiful diamond necklace that Draco had given her the day before the article came out. When she was really depressed she would take it out and clutch it in her shaky fingers but she doesn't want anymore reminders. She ties it to the leg of the annoying owl and sends it back to its owner.
Why didn't he tell me! She screams in her mind again. That's the one thought that goes over and over again in her head, making her doubt her importance in his life. Even if there was a good explanation for why he's marrying someone else, which she's sure there isn't, then he should have at least warned her. It was embarrassing to find out about it through Hermione. The pictures they post in the paper always show him laughing and holding hands with his soon to be wife. When Ginny's sees those she wishes she were dead.
Astoria Greengrass was in her grade at school and is so utterly and annoyingly perfect in everyway that it makes Ginny sick. She has long dark hair that is uncommonly shiny, perfect bone structure in her face, a slim beautiful body, and a dazzling smile full of bright white perfect teeth. Not to mention she's filthy rich as well, a perfect equal to Draco's shallow and spoiled personality. I never had a chance she thinks to herself and seriously contemplates leaving the country.
X
"Ginny, there's a customer by the desk." Says Ian, her boss. "Could you take care of him for me?"
She nods her head and puts down the stack of books that she was replacing on the shelf. She walks around a few customers as she makes her way to the front of the store but stops dead when she sees who's standing there.
Draco is casually leaning against the wood as he eyes the interior of the store with a bored look on his face. Panicked, Ginny doesn't move. She can't move. He notices her and starts walking swiftly in her direction. I have to be strong she says to herself
"What do you want?" she says meanly when he stands in front of her.
"You haven't responded to any of my letters." He states flatly as he puts his hands in his pockets.
"I didn't read any of your letters." She says and starts to walk away.
He grabs her arm but she refuses to face him. "We need to talk." He states.
"Are you still going to marry that Greengrass girl?" she questions while stubbornly staring at the wall. Not really wanting to know the answer.
"Yes." He says in a voice barely above a whisper.
Anger and humiliation boils up through her and she tears herself away from him. "Then we have nothing to talk about." She snaps as she storms away from him again. He grips her shoulder and spins her around to face him. "Let go of me!" she screams, making the people in the store stop what they're doing and stare at her.
She glares at them and then runs away. When she reaches the storage room in the back she quickly enters and slams the door shut, taking deep breaths and trying not to cry. The door opens and few seconds later and Draco enters.
"Leave me alone." She hisses at him.
"No." he says flatly. "I said we need to talk."
She puts her hands on her hips and narrows her eyes. "Talk then. I don't have much time."
He takes something out of his pocket and tries to hand it to her. She sees it's the necklace and refuses to take it. "I want you to have this." He tells her. "It was a gift."
She takes it and throws in on the ground.
He runs his hands through his hair and looks at his shoes. "I was never supposed to get involved with you." He says finally looking at her. "You know, it was only supposed to be a one time thing."
Her eyes widen in disbelief. "You are not making anything better." She says.
"I know, I know but I'm trying to tell you the truth." he says. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I couldn't stop thinking about you; I still can't no matter how hard I try." He walks up to her and puts his hands on her face. "Do you understand? I like being with you… it hurts me when I'm not around you. Every time I'm with Astoria I find myself wishing she was you." He runs his fingers along her jaw. "When I touch her I have to pretend she's you. I couldn't bring myself to tell you about her because I didn't want to hurt you."
She smacks his hands away. "Then why are you marrying her?"
"Do you think I could actually marry someone like you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" she snaps hurt and irritation clear in her voice.
He steps away from her. "Look, you and I come from different worlds. My family is one of the richest in England and your family… well it's not." He says. "You wouldn't fit in."
He starts pacing back and forth. "People have high expectations of me and the woman I marry. You have no money and everything you own is second hand. You never dress well, you don't know proper etiquette, you're a terrible dancer, you have the worst taste in food and art, and your laugh is much too loud. You chew on your bottom lip when you're nervous, which is an annoying habit."
He's so involved in his own rant that he doesn't notice her slump against the wall. Tears silently fall down her face as he continues to list off every one of her faults.
"You're family is atrocious and an embarrassment to the wizarding world. You insist on always wearing your hair up in that undignified manner. You don't know the first thing about high society… You just wouldn't fit in." he says more to himself, like he's trying to convince himself of his own words.
"I must be quite the embarrassment for you." She says bitterly, cutting off his hateful speech.
He finally turns to her and his eyes soften when he sees her tear stained cheeks. He walks over to her and wipes some tears away with his thumbs. "Don't cry." He says. "This isn't how I wanted this to go." He says under his breath.
"I have to go back to work." She says trying to walk away from him. "Thanks for putting things in perspective."
"Fuck," he says to himself as he tries to pin her to wall. "Just listen alright. We can still be together. Many men I know see woman outside of their marriage." She glares at him and if looks could kill he probably would be dead but he continues talking anyway. "You could move into a wing in my Manor. My Father kept his mistresses in the house, and I could do that for you." He says like it's the most normal thing in the world.
SMACK
He reels away from her with a shocked expression as he brings his hand up to his reddened cheek. "I'm not a whore." She says in a deadly whisper. "and I never want to see you again."
She pushes him violently and walks to the door. "Wait," he calls but she doesn't stop. "You said you would love me no matter what. Don't you remember that?" he calls after her desperately.
She opens the door and looks over her shoulder. "You can just add that to the list of things you can't stand about me because you have obviously been keeping tract."
She slams the door shut and he curses loudly kicking a box on the floor.
X
"I'm going on my lunch break." She calls to her boss as she leaves the store.
She needs to get as far away from Draco Malfoy as she possibly can. He's such a hurtful, selfish, spoiled brat! What a coward! She growls as she enters a small restaurant across the street. The worst part of the whole thing was that a part of her wanted to accept him, live life as his mistress just so she could be close to him. She battled those thoughts down right away. She deserved better then that even if she was poor, as he constantly felt the need to remind her.
She orders her food and takes a seat at one of the small tables in the very back of the room, just in case Draco happens to walk by. She starts going over the conversation she just had with him in her head, scowling at the table, when she feels a presence by her side.
"Do you mind if I join you?" asks a deep manly voice.
Ginny raises her eyes and takes in the tall, brown haired man in front of her. He looks familiar. "I don't think I'll be very good company today." She tells him honestly.
He gives her a handsome smile and takes a seat opposite her. "That's a chance I'm willing to take. You're Ginny Weasley, aren't you?" he asks as he looks at her with light blue eyes.
"Yeah, I'm sorry but do I know you?"
He laughs lightly. "I don't think we actually ever met. We both went to Hogwarts together." He holds out his hand to her and she shakes it. "I'm Theodore Nott."
She smiles at him. She remembers him now. He was a Slytherin a year a head of her but he never hung out with the vicious snakes that tormented the rest of school. He wasn't like Draco.
"So, tell me." He says as the waitress brings him a glass of water. "What's got a pretty girl like you looking so sad?"
She snorts into her drink. "A bad breakup I guess."
"I've had a couple of those." He says, his eyes twinkling. "I know this may sound a little sudden but would you like to go out with me sometime?" he asks. She looks at him suspiciously. "It's just that I've seen you around here before and I could never bring myself to talk to you… so now that I have the courage I guess I'll throw my intentions out right away." He says with a nervous smile.
"Oh, I just got out of a relationship." She says sadly. "I don't want to use you as a rebound."
He smiles wide again and she notices how handsome he is. "I'm ok with that. Sometimes the best things can come out of a rebound relationship." He says with a wink. "I have to get back to work but do you mind if I owl you sometime?"
She bites her lower lip but stops when she remembers Draco's words. "No, I wouldn't mind at all." She says quietly.
"Great." He says and stands up. "I guess I'll see you later then." She nods at him. "Goodbye Ginny."
"Goodbye Theodore."
"Call me Theo." He says with a warm smile and leaves the restaurant.
X
She almost floats into her apartment, humming to herself with her high heals in her hands. This was her fourth date with Theodore Nott and it had been amazing. He's not anything like she expected. He's sweet and considerate with a clever mind and good sense of humor. Sometimes she can even forget about Draco when he's around.
She told him about what happened with Draco, not mentioning his name of course, and he's been perfectly understanding. He doesn't pressure her and promised to take the relationship slow. He takes her out to the most amazing places and listens intently when she talks about her life. She almost forgot how fun it was to go on real dates. She hasn't talked to Draco since the day at the bookstore and she's glad about it. She might break down if she sees him again, she still loves him… even though she shouldn't.
An owl taps at her window bringing her away from her thoughts. She walks over and lets in the poor bird that's carrying a large package. She relieves it of its burden and gives it an owl treat before it flies away.
She eyes the large white box curiously before she sits down and opens it. She gasps when she sees what's inside. A beautiful silk, emerald dress runs through her fingers as she picks it up and looks at it in awe. A note falls from its folds as she holds the dress up to her body, it will fit perfectly. She bends down and picks it up.
I've been invited to a party and I need a date. Are you in?
-Theo
P.S. I saw this dress and knew it would look amazing on you… I hope you'll wear it for me.
She smiles like a school girl and giddily reply's with a yes back, sending her own owl out after him. With a loud content sigh she falls back onto her bed. Even though Draco broke her heart Theo is slowly piecing it back together.
Tonight she was constantly blushing as he told her about how beautiful he always thought she was when they were in school but he was too shy to talk to her. Even though he works through his fathers company he respects her for trying to make her own way and values her intelligence. He's perfect she thinks to herself. If only Draco could be that way.
X
"Wow." He says as he steps into her flat. "I knew that dress would look good but I never thought it would look that good." He says approvingly as his eyes travel her body.
She smiles at him. "So where is this party we're going to?" she asks as she straps on the matching shoes.
He watches her intently as her body moves around, getting things together. "It's at Daphne Greengrass'." He answers.
She freezes. "What?"
"You know Daphne don't you?"
"Yes, I do…" she says slowly. "I don't think I should go." She says with a shaky voice.
He walks up to her. "What are you talking about? Of course you should. We're all out of school now, I promise they won't bite." He says as he wraps his arms around her pulling her to his chest.
"Is Draco Malfoy going to be there?"
"Probably." He says offhandedly but lets a small smile come to his face when he notices how scared she looks. He hooks a finger under her chin making her look at him. "Don't worry about him. I'll protect you." He kisses her softly.
"I don't think this is a good idea." She says as she steps out of his embrace.
"Come on Ginny." he says with big blues eyes. "You can't leave me hanging. If you feel uncomfortable we'll leave, ok?"
She places her hand in his reluctantly and he apparats them away. There's a small voice in the back of her mind that keeps on screaming at her that this is a terrible idea, but she ignores it.
X
Draco takes a large gulp of the Champaign that's in his hands as he eyes the other guests at the party. Daphne Greengrass puts these annoying parties together once a month. The sons and daughters of the richest and most influential wizards and witches in England always attend and have a hell of a time getting drunk and enjoying themselves without the constant supervision of parents or the media constantly taking pictures of them.
He's standing against the wall of the giant ball room with his fiancée dutifully by his side. She's tapping her foot impatiently against the marble floor and he avoids her eyes.
"Do you want to go mingle?" she asks irritated at his wallflower behavior.
"No." he tells her and takes another gulp finishing his glass.
"Why not? You've been nothing but nasty this past month." She says with a huff as she crosses her arms.
He places his empty glass on a floating tray and picks up another. He can't tell her the truth. He can't tell her he's been nasty because he fucked up and hurt the only person who's ever loved him without needing a reason to. So he says "I don't want to."
She rolls her eyes at him but tries to start another conversation again. "I heard Theo is actually going to show up tonight." She tells him.
"Why do I care what Nott does?" he snaps.
She shrugs her shoulders. "He just usually never wants to come to these things." she starts looking at her manicured fingers. "Daphne says he's brining the most random date."
"I don't care."
"Of course you don't." she snaps earning a glare from him and she backs down under his intense gaze. "I wonder how he hooked up with Ginny Weasley." She says to herself as she looks out over the dance floor.
Draco's eyes blaze. "What did you just say?" he says.
"Ginny Weasley is his date. I was wondering how he managed to hook up with her."
"Theodore Nott is dating Ginny Weasley?" he pushes himself off the wall and stands over her menacingly.
"That's what Daphne said." She eyes him and holds a hint of fear at his changed attitude. "I guess he really likes her. He's been taking her out to the best places all around London." Draco's jaw starts to twitch and he clenches his fists. "I hope you don't cause a scene Draco. I know you're family hates the Weasley's and all that rot but we're all adults now."
He's about to say something when the doors open and Theo and Ginny walk into the room. She looks amazing and he has to close his mouth because it had fallen open at the sight of her. She's wearing this dark green, sleeveless dress that compliments her body wonderfully and falls to her knees. Her wavy red hair is done up in an elegant twist with loose curls falling around to frame her face. Draco's chest clenches as she gives Theodore a nervous smile.
"She cleans up well." Says Astoria from his side. "I think I'll go say hi to them."
She goes to walk away but Draco grabs her. "You will not talk to her." he says. He doesn't know if he's doing it to save Ginny from more pain or himself.
"Don't be a snob now." She says as she brushes his hand away. "Besides she was always nice to me in school."
She begins walking away but Draco grabs her again, this time more painfully. "I said no."
She glares at him. "Don't be a jerk." She says as she tears herself away from him and makes her way to the new couple.
Draco stomps behind her and watches as Ginny smiles and laughs as she talks to the people around her. She covers her mouth to stifle her laughter and a pang of guilt goes through because he knows she's doing that because of what he said. When their eyes meet her face instantly falls and she grabs Theodore's hand. Draco's eyes narrow at this as jealousy and anger burn through him.
"Ginny Weasley, I am surprised to see you here." Says Astoria as she stops and extends her hand.
Ginny takes it with a shaky hand while flicking her eyes nervously to Draco who is currently staring daggers right into her. "I'm surprised too." She says quietly.
Theo notices Draco's hostile glare and puts his arm around Ginny's waist pulling her closer to his body. That doesn't help. "I didn't take you for the type to go slumming, Nott." Says Draco with his eyes still pined on the redhead whose face instantly turns red.
"Grow up Malfoy." Says Theo. "If you knew anything you would know that Ginny's quite the catch." He looks down at her with a warm smile and she smiles back at him.
Another angry bout of jealousy rips through him. He laughs maliciously. "If a blood traitor slut is a catch to you, then I think you've got your priorities messed up." He's angry at her for making him feel so terrible so he's trying to make her feel it as well. It's not as rewarding as he thought it would be to see the hurt look on her face.
She turns up to Theo. "I told you this was a bad idea, we should go." He's not looking at her this time though. He has his narrowed eyes trained on the other blond Slytherin.
"Watch your tongue, Malfoy." He says calmly with a warning tone.
"What are you going to do about it?" replies Draco snidely.
Theo lets go of Ginny and pulls out his wand. Draco pulls his out as well. The men stand silently glaring at one another.
Ginny puts her arm on Theo's. "Come on. Lets go." She turns to Draco. "He's not worth it."
For once Draco has nothing to say. He watches with a heavy heart as Theo puts his wand away and takes her hand, walking out of the ball room.
"You're such a prick." Fumes Astoria by his side. She turns on her heals and storms away from him.
"You have no idea." He says after her.