Oh dear, I know I said I would post in a couple of days, but to be honest I completely forgot I had begun posting it to begin with! I'm really sorry. Now that I've figured out that I had in fact put the fic up on the site, I will actually update it. I think I have the first 6 chapters written so it should be on a somewhat regular basis, although reviews will definetly help it along. (Wink wink nudge nudge)
"So I hear you went on a little shopping trip this morning. It must have been nice being able to afford clothes that haven't been worn by other people." Pansy smiled and helped herself to a scone.
Ginny smiled wider than before. "Bellatrix is very generous."
"Yes she is. It was very generous of her to take you in after your little change of heart. Merlin knows no one else was willing." She sipped her tea. "Oh don't feel bad, no one knew if you could be trusted or not. But Bellatrix opened her door and her wallet to you and, well, here we are." Pansy smirked. Ginny smiled wider. If she kept it up any longer she thought her face was gonna crack.
"Yes, here we are."
Pansy smiled again towards Ginny then turned her attention back to her cronies. "So Astoria, I heard Draco…" And with that she tuned them out. It's only been ten minutes and she already wanted away from this place. Ginny glanced around the room, most of the women were chatting happily with their friends. She was the only one who just didn't seem to fit.
Well except for the lone girl who was sitting alone staring out one of the large windows. Ginny frowned at the back of her head; it looked very familiar. She just couldn't place- "No!" She whispered and almost dropped her teacup. It couldn't be, could it?
"Pardon me Ginny?" Daphne looked at her expectantly.
"Oh, nothing, it's nothing. Look, I'll catch up with you girls later, I uh, I'll see you later." She stood quickly from her seat and accidentally bumped the table, almost spilling everyone's tea. "Oh uh, sorry." Ginny mumbled and walked over to the empty table save one. She sat down in one of the chairs considerably more elegant then she had a few seconds before. "Luna?"
Luna Lovegood slowly shifted her gaze from outside over to where Ginny was sitting. She smiled genuinely. "Ginny, it's good to see you again."
She gaped at her friend. "What are you doing here?"
Luna looked surprised that Ginny didn't know. "Didn't Narcissa tell you? My mother used to be very close to Lucius. Their fathers were brothers but they grew up almost as siblings. After Dad was arrested for an article he printed Lucius insisted I live here."
"And you agreed?"
"Of course. They took my dad's house, Gin. I have no money, no home, all my friends were either in jail or in hiding." Luna frowned and just seemed to just realize who she was talking to. "You didn't seem to have trouble doing the same thing. Don't you judge." Ginny desperately wanted to protest, then explain.
"I didn't know you were a Malfoy." She quietly changed the subject.
"Is it something you would have shared with anyone two years ago?" Ginny laughed softly.
"I guess not." She replied. "So what's it like living at the Malfoy Manor?"
Luna shrugged. "I'd assume very similar to living at the Lestrange Manor."
"Dull and mind numbingly boring?" She giggled, something she hadn't done in a long time. The two women spent the rest of the afternoon talking, laughing and catching up. "I'm so glad you're here." Ginny said when the conversation sunk into a comfortable lull.
Suddenly a third chair was filled at their table. Ginny pursed her lips at the occupant. "Malfoy." She greeted coolly.
He nodded to each of them. "Luna. Weasel."
"Original." She rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't expect you to be at a tea party with the 'ladies', Malfoy."
Draco glowered. "I wasn't supposed to be. I had made plans this afternoon but I'd gotten the times mixed up."
"Narcissa hopes to lure one of the eligible young girls into her web of grandchildren, an elegant wedding and decorating the suite upstairs." Luna explained.
"Has she been trying to auction you off as well?" She laughed.
"Naturally. You'd better watch yourself Ginny, or before you know it Bellatrix will have picked out a nice, Death Eater husband for you." Luna warned and Ginny's eyes widened.
"She would, wouldn't she!" Ginny groaned. "Don't you smirk at me." She glared at Draco who moments before observed them with an amused smirk adorning his face. "You're in the same boat as us."
"Don't remind me." He mumbled before checking over his shoulder and pulling a flask from his black jacket. Draco slipped a little into his teacup and quickly hid it again. "Mother doesn't approve of my drinking while the sun's still up, but it's the only way to survive these things." He explained.
Ginny frowned at him before nudging her own cup to him. "Well?"
"Draco darling, escort Ginny to the door will you?" Narcissa ordered as she supervised the house elves cleaning up. Ginny had stayed longer than expected and none of her tables occupants had even noticed the other guests leaving. She was the last one.
"Of course." Draco smiled at his mother and held out his arm for Ginny to take. She hesitated but allowed herself to be led out of the sunroom. As soon as they were clear of Narcissa he dropped her arm.
"I guess I'll see you later then." Ginny began to continue down the hallway.
"Oh no you don't. You'll get lost and I don't need you wandering my house for days on end and a hundred years from now the house elves finding your bones." He walked beside her. "I don't understand you Weasel. One minute you're all fine and dandy, the next you're-"
"Don't say it." She interjected fiercely.
"- angry, and now you're perfectly civilized. You are a very puzzling individual." Draco finished.
"Do you have a point, Malfoy? Or do you just like to hear yourself speak?" Ginny asked bitterly.
"All I'm saying is that I don't understand. Most women would kill to be taken home by me. I'm pretty sure a few have. And most of the women I take home are happy to be taken home by me. That was the first time someone's cried before I've broken up with them." He risked a glance at the redhead. She was positively fuming.
"If you haven't noticed by now Malfoy, I'm not like most women." Ginny growled.
"Believe me, I know." She glared at him.
"Stuff it."
"Your vocabulary astounds me." The sarcasm dripping from his words as they reached the front door. Draco bowed slightly. "Until later Ms. Weasel." He smirked when she slammed the door on her way out.
Considering I totally forgot I wrote this fic, I will have to go back and re read it! Anyhoo, enjoy this chapter. I'll try to have the next one up by the weekend.
Review if you'd like!
Emily
