You Can't Hurry Love

(Don't forget the A/N at the bottom!)

Chapter 3

((-))

Ginny tossed her pen down on her desk. "Colin, will you get your bleeding head out of the bloody fireplace?!"

Colin's chair rolled back just enough so that he could turn his head in her direction. "Just because you're not getting ass doesn't mean you should berate those of us that do."

With a scream Ginny leapt from her chair and shoved Colin and his rolling chair through the green flames and across it into Blaise's office. As the flames disappeared she cast the appropriate spell to seal off the fireplace. With a huff she plopped back down in her own chair and drug her hands through her hair.

It wasn't that she wasn't happy for Colin; on the contrary she was ecstatic that things between him and Blaise were going so well. And despite what Colin thought it wasn't about the sex. Okay, well, not completely about the sex. Of course having to cast continuous silencing charms on Colin's bedroom because of all the noise could have something to do with that as well. Knowing that Colin was getting laid, and not just once but many times a night, while she was lying in bed all by her lonesome was infuriating. But, it wasn't about the sex.

No, it was a mix between their sickeningly sweet lovey dovey-ness and the fact that they had three weddings in three weeks and that she hadn't had a good day off in almost a month! She hadn't been sleeping well; rather she'd been staying at the office until all hours of the night. Meals had become a luxury of time. On top of that there was the no sex thing, and the fact that she was pinning for a relationship. Hermione had just found out she was pregnant again, causing jealousy to rear its green ugly head, and she had seven more consultation appointments set up.

Before she'd realized it, she was crying. More like sobbing hysterically into her folded arms.

((-))

Colin was furious by the time he'd flooed to the law office next door. Ginny had bloody well shut off the floo! He stomped up the steps to their office and flung open the door ready to scream and yell and hiss until he saw her.

His heart broke and his fury melted away at the sight. The strong, imposing, impossible Ginny Weasley was curled up in her chair, knees hugged to her chest while she sobbed into her arms. He finally realized just how much life had taken its toll on her.

Despite her everyday showers her hair was limp and lifeless, her skin dull and lacking its normal glow. And she looked thinner than normal. Not anorexic simply for the reason that her build wouldn't allow it, but her beautiful curves weren't as curvy. It was apparent that in the past month of their hectic lives she had taken no time what-so-ever for herself. He'd seen Blaise almost every day since their first date. And, he would admit, he'd only been thinking of himself. Ginny had encouraged him to go out and have fun. He should have realized that she had stayed behind at the office to take care of things. He should have noticed when he'd gotten home that her purse hadn't been on the side table. He should have realized how selfish he'd been.

But he hadn't.

And Ginny had suffered for his foolishness.

She had stopped crying while he'd stood there thinking and was sitting silently in her chair. On second look, though, she wasn't sitting, she was sleeping. And if Colin had anything to say about it she would stay that way, for at least the weekend. The only thing on her schedule, despite what she'd tell you, was the consultation with Blaise's cousin. Everything else could be put on hold until Monday.

He went over to her and listened for a moment. Her breathing was so slow and steady he knew she was in what they called the "Pass out Sleep". That sleep so deep that no matter what you just wouldn't wake up until your body was damn well ready to. After removing the charm from the fireplace he grabbed Ginny's purse and slung it over his shoulder before grabbing his own bag. Finally he managed to get Ginny into his arms and managed to floo them to their apartment.

After managing to tuck Ginny away into bed he went to the fireplace and flooed Blaise.

"Why hello there, lover," came the silky smooth voice he'd come to love so well. Unfortunately Colin couldn't relish in it like he normally did.

"Sorry, love, but I can't make it over tonight." Colin explained, although looking at the man sitting in the chair he wondered again why he was doing this.

Blaise raised an elegant eyebrow and coyly leaned towards the fireplace in his office. "Oh, and why ever not?" He liked it when Colin played taunting games with him. They made the love play later all the more exciting.

Colin sighed as he gazed longingly at Blaise. His boy was wearing his favorite suit and it managed to accentuate every elegant line on Blaise's body. No, this wasn't about his libido; this was about his best friend, the woman who had introduced him to the greatest thing in his life.

"Look, Blaise, when I came back to the office I found Ginny sobbing in her chair." He let the statement set in.

Blaise looked at Colin, all playfulness forgotten. "Is she alright?" Ginny was after all one of his best friends and the woman who had given him the greatest gift ever.

"That's just it. She's not alright, Blaise, we've been so blind. I've been so blind, and oh gods, so selfish!" Despite trying to hold it in a few tears managed to fall. He was beginning to feel really horrible about this whole thing. "She's passed out in bed because she's been working herself ragged! I never thought…Oh, Blaise she's been staying at the office until the wee hours of the morning. I've noticed she hasn't been eating as much, she looks just plain horrid! And it's all my fault!"

Blaise got up from his chair and paced back to his desk. "Colin, I want you to sit tight. I'm taking the rest of the day off, but I've got some arrangements to make." He began shuffling his papers and putting them in his briefcase. "If she does happen to wake up before I get there make sure she stays put." He looked up, "I'll be there soon, love, and we'll get our girl well taken care of."

Colin smiled sadly at him before taking his head out of the fireplace. He leaned against the couch and ran his hands through his hair, wondering if he'd ever truly be able to make this up to Ginny.

((-))

The first thing Ginny realized upon waking was that she wasn't in her bedroom. In fact, judging by the heated blanket wrapped around her and the fact that the walls were painted a soothing green she would have to say that she wasn't even in her own apartment. Which begged the question, "Where the hell am I?"

"You're awake?"

A voice she recognized. "Colin?" She tried to sit up, but found that the blanket was wrapped much too tightly around her for that to happen.

"I wouldn't try to move if I were you. The attendants around here are very particular about the way their clientele are behaving." Blaise's face popped into view, "Especially when said clientele are under as much stress as you are."

Ginny sighed realizing that her face felt stiff. "Would either of you mind telling me just where the bloody blazes I am? And a very good explanation as to why my face feels like there's a pound of mud on it would be nice too."

With a flick of Blaise's wand the table she was lying on tilted so that she was in a sitting position staring at her two best friends. She could tell Colin had been crying if the puffy, red eyes were anything to go by. Concern flickered through her mind, followed by a little tinge of guilt, coming to a close with just the tiniest hint of satisfaction. Although the satisfaction was short lived, very short lived.

Colin flung himself at Ginny hugging her tightly wrapped body against him. "I'm so very sorry! I've been such a prat to you and," he started crying again, "you have every right to hate me! Oh gods, Gin, how can you ever forgive me!?"

That very short lived bit of satisfaction vanished in an instant. Tears stung her eyes and she closed them trying to keep the vile little beings away. "Oh Colin, there's nothing to forgive. All I want is for you to be happy." The stupid tears were bound and determined to get out. She sighed, her breath hitching as she did so.

Colin pulled away and gently wiped away the tears, careful of the gooey mask the attendants had painted on her face. "You should have said something you dolt." He sighed, "And I should have paid more attention. All I was thinking about was getting laid and here you were working for both of us because of it."

"Just getting laid?" Blaise asked casually arching an eyebrow.

"Of course I wasn't thinking just about getting laid you moron." Colin rolled his eyes and Ginny tried not to laugh. Colin's expression softened and he smiled at his best friend. "In case I forgot to say it, thank you." He didn't have to say for what, she already knew.

Ginny looked from Colin to Blaise and smiled, finally able to relax like she should have done in the beginning. Her two best friends, in love, and apparently very happy; nothing was better than that. She smiled at them both, "Now, would you mind telling me just where I am?"

Blaise laughed and smoothed her hair back. "You, my love, are at Elysium Spa Resort." He took great satisfaction in the fact that her eyes grew as big as saucers.

"Elysium Spa Resort, are you kidding me?! This place has a year long waiting list!" Ginny all but shrieked her comment.

Blaise laughed. "Yes, my love, I do realize this. However, my company holds a great amount of stock here and when I requested an immediate full course spa treatment for my best friend and owner of Empire Events they gladly accommodated my request."

Ginny was taken aback and slightly overwhelmed by this new knowledge. She didn't realize just how much weight Blaise held in places like this, nor how much her own business status held. Apparently it was enough for something like this.

"Well, thank you both for taking care of me," she sighed and settled more comfortably in her blanket. "Now, I suggest you both go tell those attendants to bring two extra tables in here. I'm not too fond of getting treated like royalty by myself."

((-))

"Blaise, I'm not going to this damned consultation! It's not even my wedding!"

"You're going whether you like it or not, Draco. The wedding party is attending and that's it!" Blaise straightened his tie, looking into the mirror. His best friend paced back and forth behind him in Blaise's office.

Draco stopped and shoved his hands through his hair. "Why? What's the point of having the entire wedding party there?"

"It's not the entire wedding party. Look Draco, it is a pre-requisite that the maid of honor and the best man be in attendance for the consultation. The Empire Empress doesn't do half-assed wedding parties." Blaise used Ginny's slang title that circulated among the elite. Of course he didn't want Draco to know that the Empire Empress was none other than Ginevra Weasley. That was a surprise he was saving for the restaurant. He spun around to face his irate friend. "If you don't want to go then you're going to be the one telling Henry that you're no longer going to be his best man."

"Oh hells and damnation Blaise, that's hitting below the belt!" Draco picked an invisible piece of lint off of his suit. He had a previous engagement to attend to and had unfortunately forgotten about tonight's consultation. But when he'd stopped by Blaise's office to invite his friend he had been forcefully reminded of the evening's activities. He'd accepted his fate, but it didn't mean he had to like it. And he'd be damned if he was going to just sit by and take it without a fight. And not to mention the fact that he was supposed to be meeting the very beautiful, very stupid daughter of one of his clients at said party. Maybe there was some way he could skip out early.

Blaise carefully judged Draco's calculating face. Despite was his best friend thought; it was quite easy to tell that Draco was planning on finding away to leave early. That was not going to be happening. Blaise had a debt to repay, though she didn't realize it yet. He'd been planning this out almost since the night Ginny had sent him on a blind date with the man he was undeniably in love with. Neither Ginevra nor Draco realized just how perfect they were for each other, and Blaise was determined to be the one to get them to realize it. This meant that by no means would Draco be skipping out on the consultation. And it definitely meant he would not be going to that party to flirt with that horrible Rebecca Martin. Just the name made him cringe.

"So, are you quite through with your little temper tantrum?" Blaise commented as he made his way over to his desk.

Draco decided not to dignify that comment with a response.

((-))

Draco had no idea Blaise was dating Colin Creevy. And the sight had come as a complete shock. Add to that the fact that they were acting like a lovesick couple and Draco had the shock of his lifetime all in a matter of five minutes.

Blaise leaned close to Colin to whisper, "Where is she?" He checked his watch, "She was supposed to be here ten minutes ago."

Colin kissed his cheek, "Don't worry, she had to run by the office to grab the photo samples I left. She'll be here any minute. Now, how about you not telling me that Draco Malfoy was the best man? Hello, my name is civil war waiting to happen! You know as well as I do that he and Ginny didn't get along back in school."

"If you'll remember correctly Ginny and I supposedly didn't get along in school either." Blaise ran a finger down Colin's cheek. "I know them both very well and I intend to repay the debt I owe Ginny. And that debt includes making sure she's as happy as she's made me."

Colin sighed and rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright, just please don't let your feelings be hurt when things backfire horribly."

"If things backfire horribly, darling, if not when." Blaise corrected him. "Ah, there's our girl," he added with a final peck to Colin's cheek.

Draco was beyond bored and ready for this stupid consultation to be over and done with. He was about ready to walk away when a goddess walked through the door.

The only word that came to mind was stunning. The thought that came on the heels of that was- that's the littlest Weasley.

She was absolutely nothing like he remembered. This bombshell couldn't be a Weasley. Tall, curvy, drop dead gorgeous, there was no way. Bronze, orange curls cascaded around an hourglass figure accentuated by the tight fitting black dress she wore. She'd lined her eyes with charcoal eyeliner that brought out the gold flecks in the mocha brown color. Full lips tilted at the corners in a self-satisfied little smile. She held herself regally on a classic swan's neck, her shoulders squared back and head held high. When she spotted their table her smile intensified and she sauntered up to their table.

He knew the look on his face must have been priceless because she met his gaze and lifted a perfectly waxed eyebrow.

"I'll have a bottle of your finest red wine," He muttered and made to pass the wine list to her.

As if mocking him the other eyebrow lifted and the look she gave him was positively scathing. However, instead of taking the wine list she pushed aside his hand and pulled out the chair next to Blaise.

"Really, Malfoy? What about an appetizer? The lobster bisque is really quite fabulous." From the corner of her eye she can see Blaise turning a strange shade of red. And Colin was trying to shrink back into the chair he was sitting in. Did he honestly think she was a waitress? Honestly, she was a Weasley, but surely her name had been circulated amongst the upper crust enough that he would realize who she was.

Staring at her strangely he said, "Yes, that sounds nice. I'll take that as well."

Ginny could only scoff at him, her smile widening as well as her temper. "Absolutely, Mr. Malfoy, I'm sure the waitress will be here in a moment. You should probably relay your order to her." In a complete dismissal she turned to the beautiful woman sitting across from her and stuck out her hand. "I am beyond pleased to be planning your wedding Miss Zabini. Blaise has told me so much about you…"

WHAT?! Draco's thoughts couldn't come together fast enough. The Weasley was the Empire Empress?!

Blaise couldn't help it any more, and lost complete control of his laughter. He was glad there was a silencing charm on their table; however it didn't stop all the other heads at the table from turning his way. Zaria was glaring from him to Draco while in the middle of that shooting apologetic glances at Ginny. And poor Henry was looking ready to murder Draco. He felt unbelievably sorry for his soon to be cousin-in-law, but the look on Draco's face was priceless.

"Miss Weasley, please forgive my cousin and his friend. I assure you they won't be acting like this during the time before the wedding." Zaria glared hard at Draco, "And I most definitely assure you they won't be acting like this come the wedding."

Ginny smiled, "Oh, please don't apologize. Blaise is a very good friend and I'd do practically anything for him, I think I can manage to handle a couple of rough and rowdy boys." She winked and Zaria seemed to relax. "Now, how about we take a look at some of the samples I brought…"

Draco glared at Ginevra through his wineglass, twirling said object between his thumb and fingers. How in the hell had she managed it? She'd gone from the little country bumpkin she was in school to the Empire Empress. She was now the one that any high class function went to. From private business dinners to wedding extravaganzas Empire Events was the way to go. His mother had even thought about having them do a dinner party for her monthly Matron's meeting. If his mother was even considering it, then she had to have it on good authority that she would not be disappointed. Even so, he was still having trouble wrapping his mind around the fact that the scrawny little twit he'd known had turned into this buxom bombshell sitting across from him.

And she seemed to know what she was talking about. The samples she produced were professional and beautiful, artfully arranged in a leather portfolio. The portfolio had even been magically enhanced so that full scale visions could be activated and appraised for the clientele. Everything seemed to be exactly what people would want. Right now she was going over flowers and the visions created by the spells were enchanting. Each done in whimsical fashion arranged with ribbons and in some cases even real life garden pixies. Each one she showed them was beautiful and exquisite at least until the next one popped up.

"That is rubbish!" Draco blurted out, disgusted. The arrangement of Babies Breath and Dandelions was horrific and he honestly couldn't believe this abomination had even been allowed in the so called professional's repertoire. "You might as well have those horrible atrocities the Muggles use, carnations I think is what they're called."

Ginny set her wineglass down, giving Malfoy an ice laden glare. "Forgive me, Mister Malfoy, but I wasn't aware anyone asked for your expert opinion," she snapped.

Draco leaned forward, "Oh, forgive me, I am most abjectly sorry," he scoffed, jutting his chin out like a stubborn child. "I was under the impression you had to have taste to be a wedding planner."

Ginny narrowed her gaze and set her mouth in a harsh line, "You might like to tell that to Gwen Jones!"

Draco smirked, "Honestly, did you even see the groom? Gwen Jones obviously doesn't have taste either if she hired you to plan that monstrosity of a wedding to that dolt of a man, David Vaught. Of all the idiots at the ministry…"

"If the rumors are true, Jones did far better with David Vaught than you!" Ginny exclaimed. She knew she was letting her temper get the best of her, but damn it she just couldn't help it. Malfoy was being a first class grade A ass hole. She shot a scathing look at Blaise. This fiasco was all his fault since he had failed to mention the fact that Draco Malfoy was none other than the Best Man. Had she known this before hand she would have rescinded the rule that the Best Man and Maid of Honor be in attendance!

As Malfoy sat there smirking at her she forced herself to take a deep breath and fought the urge to wring his pretty neck.

Draco leaned back in his chair, his smirk becoming a permanent fixture on his face, and quite please with himself said, "Heard of that did you? One of the best nights of my life." He sighed nostalgically.

Ginny fought not to gag, but plunged on. "Oh, best nights of your life? Then you're obviously sorely lacking in the sex department." She had to mentally zip her mouth shut. If she wasn't careful she was going to get into an all out screaming match with the pig-headed moron! It occurred to her that Malfoy was still the same arrogant fuck she had known all those years ago, despite the fact that he'd grown up physically.

It was too bad that he'd finally grown out of his waifish figure, actually filling out to be broad shouldered, and slim hipped. It was also too bad that he had let his hair grow out in a careless sexy shag, softening the hard angles of his face. It was really, really too bad that the silver of his hair accentuated the stark slate grey of his eyes. When she thought about it, if he had been any other man, she would have found him attractive. But this was Draco Malfoy, and that thought was simply not possible.

"Draco that's enough," Henry ground out angrily.

Draco's head shot towards one of his best friends. The look on Henry's face said all it needed to. Guilt immediately took a knife to his gut and his smirk faded from sight. He looked at Zaria and that knife plunged further into his gut to sink into his spleen. There were actually tears in her eyes as she glared angrily at him. He knew without a doubt he would be groveling for weeks for this little escapade.

Ginny took a steadying breath. There was no way she would lose this client. She owed it to Blaise to do this. Reaching across the table she took Zaria's hand. "Zaria, I'm honored that you want me to do your wedding, and I'm so dreadfully sorry about my little outburst. Let me assure you something of this magnitude will not happen again. Now, I say we let this dinner stand where it is. How about you floo the office on Tuesday and we'll set up a private consultation date, just us?" At Zaria's relieved look Ginny knew she'd sunk the quaffle. Thank the Gods she wasn't going to lose this client.

"Thank you so much Miss Weasley, please, let me assure you I'll try to keep Mr. Malfoy away from our wedding plans," Zaria shot an angry glare at Draco before standing.

Ginny followed suit and shook both Zaria and Henry's hands wishing them a good evening. As she packed up her portfolio she saw Blaise give Colin a kiss and whisper something in his ear before turning to leave with the wedding party.

"Well, that went well," Colin commented as they made their way home.

Ginny leaned her head on his shoulder. "If we can just keep Malfoy away from me, it will all be okay," she answered. Although, she had the sinking feeling that that just wasn't going to happen.

((-))

Okay. I'm not going to offer condolences on this chapter taking so long. Nor am I going to grovel and beg for your forgiveness for not having updated "I Am" in oh, almost a year. I'm hating myself enough for that as it is.

All I have to say is that when you work sixty hour work weeks you have time for little else other than eating and sleeping and working. Add on top of that the fact that I've had to have two surgeries in the past five months and you get a very stressed out, doped up, and tired ME. I finally got a writing bug and this story is what I happened upon first.

I'm working on hashing out the next chapter for "I Am" but I've hit a road block and sometimes the four-wheel drive just doesn't want to work. If you write you know how difficult it is to get over a hump in your writing. And yes, that is what has happened with "I Am". So, while I am working on fixing my little problem it is taking me a while to do it. However I'm hoping to have it up and running again here soon. But please don't quote me on that.

Anyways, I hope that EVERYONE has enjoyed this chapter and that it's not too horrible.

Also before I forget…THANK YOU SO, SO, SO, SO, SO VERY MUCH TO LUCKYLUCKYLUCKY FOR HER INPUT ON THIS CHAPTER. YOU MAY THANK HER FOR ALL THE SNARKY BANTER THAT TOOK PLACE DURING THE DINNER SCENE!!!!! My dear, you did a fantastic job and going back and re-reading it was just the spur that I needed to get my ball rolling!!! YOU ROCK!

So, remember to thank her, and leave me some lovely reviews. I really need the pick-me-up right now. Work stress is bad stress….

Arigato

Ja'ne- Ami