A/N: Wow, I'm overwhelmed by the love my reviewers are giving me. Thank you all so much. This is another short one, but more will be on its way soon.

She saw his lips moving but his familiar silver eyes held her immobile. She simply stared into their stormy abyss as though she had been struck dumb. Irrationally she feared that if she broke the connection Draco would disappear. As long as she had waited for this reunion, she would not jeopardize it on something as trivial as being rational.

"Miss," Draco started again, "are you alright now?"

Miss? Since when did he call her Miss? Ginny, sure. Weaslette, from time to time. Maybe even Ginevra if she was being especially irritating. But never Miss. He was her Dragon, not some house elf. Why wouldn't he call her by name? What was he playing at?

She realized belatedly that he was expecting a response of some kind. Slowly she nodded her head, being careful not to lose eye contact.

"Good. Enjoy the rest of your evening." With a polite bow he turned on his heel and began walking away.

Enjoy the rest of her evening? Where was he going? Was this some kind of joke?

She lifted her arm to stop him and suddenly she remembered. Her arm still hung in the air, its pristine alabaster skin glowing back at her. Not a single freckle marred its hateful beauty. How could she have let herself forget, even for a moment? The hair falling softly down her back was not the color of a blazing sunset; it was jet black. The violet eyes that followed Draco's retreating form did not belong to Ginny Weasley. They belonged to Erin McIntyre.

Draco didn't know her. The girl he loved was not sitting at this table in a hotel bar. She was dead.

The revelation tore through her like a knife. With every step he took away from her, her heart ripped a little more. What kind of cruel bitch was Fate to play these sick games with her? It wasn't bad enough that she had to watch him walk away once? Now she had to do it again?

Every eye was on Draco as the Dark Lord murdered his lover. He watched impassively as the girl's body hit the floor with a muffled thump.

"I trust you will be more careful the next time you desire a whore," Voldemort said coldly.

Draco was the very picture of contrition. "Yes, My Lord. Forgive me."

"You would not be alive if I had not forgiven you, young Malfoy. Now, this," he kicked the lifeless form at his feet, "should be returned to the Weasleys. We wouldn't want them to worry needlessly. I shall entrust that task to you, Draco."

Ginny struggled to remain composed as Draco thanked the Dark Lord for his mercy. Picking up the body, he left to deliver Mrs. Weasley's worst fear right to her doorstep. Ginny watched him go, not knowing when or even if she would see him again.

She could not watch him leave again.

"Wait!"

Erin rushed after him, grabbing his arm. He looked down at her, his expression questioning.

Frantically she tried to think of something to say to him, some way to make him stay with her.

"Yes?" he asked as he subtly pulled his arm from her grasp.

"I just…"

Just what, she wondered. I just wanted to tell you that I'm your dead girlfriend? That wouldn't work. I just couldn't bear to see you turn away from me because I love you? That was guaranteed to send him running.

"I just wanted to thank you for coming to my rescue. It was very kind of you to help me out." Oh God, how lame was that, Erin thought.

He smiled. Oh, how she'd missed that smile! "It was nothing. I just thought you might need someone to persuade him to take no for an answer."

She gestured towards her table. "Would you join me? I ought to at least buy you a drink after all you've done."

Shaking his head, Draco looked down at the floor. "I'm afraid I wouldn't be very good company tonight and I couldn't ask a lady pay for my drink."

"Alright, no drink buying," Erin cajoled, placing her hand on his forearm, "but please join me. It would save me from being propositioned all night. We don't have to talk; I would just appreciate your company."

Draco looked distractedly around the bar, obviously trying to think of some way to get out of this. Apparently finding none, he nodded in agreement and guided her back to her table. After she was seated, he signaled the waitress and ordered a fresh cocktail for Erin and a martini for himself.

"Thank you for joining me. I'm Erin McIntyre." She said, offering her hand. As she knew he would, Draco took it and pressed it softly to his lips. This was one of her favorite hallmarks of his high society upbringing. She forced her breathing to remain steady as her pulse quickened under his touch.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Erin. My name is Draco Malfoy." He released her hand and took a sip of the drink that had just arrived.

Erin smiled, "I'm glad to know you, Draco."

They sat in awkward silence for a few minutes. Erin noticed when he finished his martini and worried that he might decide it was time to leave. She breathed a sigh of relief when he ordered another. She was in no hurry to finish her own drink. Her original plan to get rip-roaring drunk had been discarded. She didn't want anything to cloud her thoughts. Being this close to Draco after so long was intoxicating enough.

Now that she was with him though, she had no idea what to do. Should she reveal herself to him? The urge to tell him the truth about what had happened was incredibly strong. Logically she knew she shouldn't, it was safer for him to remain in the dark, but who could be logical in this situation?

"That's a beautiful dress. Green and silver were my school colors."

Draco's voice jolted her from her thoughts.

"Thanks," she replied, "They were my boyfriend's favorite colors."

"He prefers other colors now?"

Erin laughed, "No, I'm sure he still likes green and silver. I meant that we're not…"

"I know what you meant. I was joking. Is that why you're here tonight? Mourning the end of your relationship?" Draco spoke softly, a sad sort of smile playing on his mouth.

"I guess you could say that. I still hope we'll find our way back to one another someday." This was dangerous territory; Erin decided to change the direction of the conversation. What about you? You don't sound like a local, what brings you to Washington?"

"I'm here on a shopping excursion."

"Shopping?" Erin raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Draco left the fight against Voldemort to go shopping?

"My organization needed some items that are difficult to come by in Britain."

"I see. So you're not just here for the collectible shot glasses?"

Draco became very serious, "Oh no. The shot glasses are a bonus."