Chapter Three:

"Mind if we join you?" I continued as if no one had spoken, and Draco wasn't giving me a hard disapproving look. My date was beautiful, brunette, and totally boring. I had been planning a hasty escape when I caught sight of a white blonde halo that absolutely screamed "Malfoy".

Draco Malfoy having dinner at the Manticore was nothing new. But Draco Malfoy having dinner with a redhead who'd never wanted anything to do with him that didn't involve cursing his bollocks off was something else entirely. Especially considering that Ginevra Weasley probably hadn't invited Draco Malfoy to the Manticore. It wasn't exactly the type of place the girl frequented.

That begged the question, why the hell had Draco invited her here? I didn't know the answer and finding out would be lots more fun than thinking of a way to tell Arianne (or was her name Tania?) that while the sight of her was quite delicious, I had no intention of listening to her talk for more time than was necessary to bed her. I knew through personal experience that most women didn't appreciate such sentiments.

I dragged my date through the restaurant, skirting tables, and not bothering when a waiter moved to intercept us. I casually tossed him a glace as we passed, and he halted mid-stride, painful indecision on his plain features. My date was boring a questioning look right throw the middle of my shoulders, and I calmly ignored it, much to her haughty disbelief. I would have laughed inwardly at her if I hadn't been concentrating on the unnatural couple in front of me.

I motioned to a waiter sharply, and was promptly seated at an adjoining table, much to Draco's discomfort, which I was sure only I noticed. He was doing his best to pretend I wasn't there. My date wasn't having any of that though; the money grubbing harpy.

"Are you the Draco Malfoy?" she asked tactlessly, and I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. Ginevra, for her part had no such qualms, and I was duly impressed. My date shot her a politely disinterested look, effectively brushing her off, which I could plainly see was not alright with the redhead. Not alright at all. Draco never had a chance to formulate a response.

"It's a rather uncommon name, and the Malfoy's only had one heir. It's very clear that finishing school's don't certify intelligence at graduation, and that their ability to transfer tact to the student body, while obviously very satisfactory, isn't the least bit helpful for the more desperate cases." My respect for the only female Weasley was growing by increasing amounts the more she talked.

Jasmine obviously didn't agree (I do believe it was Jasmine, my mistake). She sniffed delicately, in her best approximation of shocked disbelief, something I knew was not the case, and moved on to introduce herself without any help from me.

"Francoise Nacelle, and very please to meet you." She directed at Draco, with her best smile flashing across perfect white teeth. She turned slowly to Ginny, giving her a victorious smirk. I forgot her name again a few seconds later.

"And you are?" she asked in a tone of voice that left no question that she'd taken Ginny's comments as an act of war. I wondered vaguely where exactly that left me, before I decided it left me most probably better off. They were both Draco's problem now. Pity that, the red head looked like fun.

"This is my date, Ginevra Weasley. We were just discussion business ventures." Draco was smooth, tactful and disrespectful all in one, and I admired the ability. Ginny seemed surprised, though she hid it better than I might have imagined. Gina didn't seem to notice her minute discomfort. Of course she was also a lot less tactful than Draco was.

"Discussing Business, were you? I can't imagine what Ms. Weasley has an aptitude for business that could impress one such as yourself, Draco." The small signs of Draco's discomfort were downright funny, if nigh imperceptible. His eyes narrowed a fraction, and his fist clenched his napkin rather harder than was necessary. Ginevra and I shared a look.

"Quite honestly, I was delighted to find that Ginevra works for the Ministry in an accounting capacity for Special Trades. I was in the midst of trying to entice her to working for me in a similar capacity. She's quite talented, and has already made some suggestions that sound downright ingenious." Draco was doing his best to smooth the conversation, and I felt sorry for the poor sod. It didn't work.

"Well, I'm sure I meant no disrespect," Françoise sniffed, and Ginevra smiled winsomely. It was a very pretty (If rather devious) smile.

"Harpies never do." She murmured just loudly enough. Draco cleared his throat anxiously as he made to stand.

"It was lovely to have met you. I am dearly sorry that we have to call this dinner short." Draco's tone was indeterminate, and his feelings were masked, but I could tell two things. One, he disapproved wholeheartedly with everything my French companion had said, and two, he wished I'd die a painful preferably very public death. The bastard probably wanted pictures so he could relish the moment.

"Check Please?" Ginevra called, and we were left to watch as they exited the restaurant, Ginevra's arm in his. I almost laughed aloud.

"So, desert?" I turned to my date almost smirking. She growled at me, cursing me in rapid-fire French, and I did my best not to laugh in her face.

"I guess not." I murmured, grin spreading as I beckoned to a waiter so we could pay our tab. She stormed out, without a backward glance, and I headed for the door whistling jauntily to myself.

My date was nowhere to be found, and a simple point me spell told me everything I needed to know about Ginevra Weasley's flat. The sight of Draco Malfoy standing awkwardly on her door step was just too much to pass up.

.:|:.

Ginny was standing in the door of her apartment building, staring awkwardly up into Draco's face when I peaked around the corner. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but reading lips would suffice.

"I'm very sorry about dinner. Had I known that Blaise would intrude I wouldn't have taken you there." Draco was apologizing for more than likely the third time since they'd left. Ginny was smiling oddly at him. That boded very well for my blonde haired friend.

"It's not so bad as you might think, Ma-Draco. I enjoyed it very much." She paused and I could see Draco had stopped breathing as he awaited her next words.

"Were you serious about offering me a job?" She asked quietly. I could see the muscles in his shoulders tense slightly.

"If I were, would you consider it?" I closed my eyes, silently hoping that this wouldn't blow up in his face.

"I suppose that depends on what the offer included. I'm not… The Ministry job is different than I thought it would be. Maybe it's time for a change." She murmured half to herself. I could see she was deep in thought, and Draco was about to get singed in some way.

"Would you care to think about it, and set up a meeting with me once you know what your terms are?" I openly winced, smacking my head as he backed off instead of pressing his advantage.

"I'll do just that. Goodnight, Draco." She murmured as the door clicked shut. I could see him sag slightly as he turned away, and I watched as he walked toward my corner, searching for a safe apparation point. His face frosted over when he saw me leaning nonchalantly against a lamppost.

"What the devil is your problem, and why the bloody hell are you following me?!"