Summary: Draco Malfoy is London's most irresistible bachelor. And the time has come for him to marry. There is only one problem: he's in love with his best friend's wife.

A/U.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: To the reviewers, thank you.

In Flagrante Delicto

Chapter Nine

Draco had come across several types of women in the world. There were those that were easily persuaded: a charming grin and intelligent word was all it took to win them over. Then there were those who required a little more work: a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, a short love letter. And lastly, there were those who played a little too hard to get. Or perhaps they just simply refused the suitor's presence.

Draco was pleased that he never had to deal with the latter.

Until now, of course.

He barely got any sleep the night before. Hermione's words echoed endlessly in his head. Draco knew he needed to come up with a game plan. Because there was not a chance in hell that he was going to lose to Harry Potter again.

Draco decided that the first step to getting in her good graces was to apologize. He toyed with the idea of sending her a letter (he found that he could express himself better through words) but realized that she might take offense that he would not just talk to her in person. But then again, she might not want to see him in person. What if she shut the door in his face?

Difficult. Very difficult. He thought, pacing the floor of his study. It was the morning after Harry's welcome-back party. He had barely gotten any work done, so caught up in his thoughts.

There was a knock.

"Come in!" He hollered.

Kettle, their house-elf timidly opened the door.

"Yes?"

"Your mother wishes to see you in the foyer."

He nodded and followed her out. Narcissa was waiting for him. She was busily arranging a group of daffodils on a clear-cut vase. "I shall be gone this evening. I'm attending Teresa Nott's birthday party."

"Alright."

"She invited you too."

"I'm quite -- "

"— busy." She finished for him, rolling her eyes. "Someday you are going to run out of excuses Draco. And you will have to marry."

"Nonsense, mother. I would never make up any excuses!" Draco exclaimed, laying a hand on his chest in mock horror.

"Hurry along now with your business." Narcissa waved him off with her hands, releasing her grip on the daffodils.

Draco remembered something. He hurried off to his study without a backward glance.

There was a loud pecking noise.

Ginny groaned. What time was it? Surely it wasn't time to get up. She pulled her blanket up to her chin.

The pecking noise intensified.

"Go away," She complained, covering her face with a pillow.

This time, the pecking noise was joined by a soft knock.

"I'm asleep!" She yelled, her voice coming out muffled from underneath the pillow. Apparently, she wasn't heard because her bedroom door creaked open. Ginny did not surface from her covers.

"Ginny, sweetie?" Her mother's voice crooned questioningly. "Are you awake?"

"Does it look like I'm awake?" She mumbled crossly.

The pecking noise continued. What in the world…?

"Heavens! Is that Hedwig?" Molly exclaimed. Ginny shot up from her bed. Indeed, the fluffy white owl was fluttering outside her window. There was a letter tied to her leg. Her mother allowed her in and released her from her burden. The owl blinked at her and left.

"It's from Harry, dear."

"Obviously." Ginny rolled her eyes and grabbed the letter from her.

"Well go on. Read it."

Ginny fixed her with a glacial stare. "What on earth are you doing here in my bedroom at this ungodly hour?"

"Oh! There are some flowers for you in the living room."

"Really?"

"Yes. Not to worry, I haven't taken the liberty of reading their cards. I'll leave you to that." Molly shuffled off.

Ginny pried open the envelope and pulled out the letter that contained Harry's scraggly handwriting.

Ginny,

Might I interest you to dinner?

Harry

Ginny blinked. Was Harry asking her out? On a date? She did not know what to make of that. Seeing him last night had been nice. But she could see him as nothing more than a friend, now. They had been kids. It had been such a long time ago. She wasn't sure if they could still rekindle their relationship. Things had changed. Ginny had changed. She was a woman now.

She shrugged on her bathrobe and padded downstairs. Ginny immediately recognized Richard's trademark orchids and James' signature tulips. Both contained invitations to lunch. She also recognized the red roses sitting atop the coffee table.

Her heart began to flutter as she approached them. Ecuadorian roses were so difficult to find these days. And they were simply enchanting. The last time she had received them, there had been no note. Now, however, there was one.

Ginny reached for the plain white card and plucked it off the bouquet. Excitement welled up in her. Who could it be? Her eyes went round as they caught sight of the familiar elegant cursive. Sharp, masculine penmanship.

Ginny,

I think the time has come for us to talk. I despise being on such horrid terms with you. Perhaps over lunch? My mother strongly recommends Alfredo's. They serve the best Italian cuisine.

Sincerely,

Draco

P.S. Yes, it was I who had sent the roses the other day. I had recalled that they were your favorite. I do hope you enjoyed them.

Ginny dropped the card.

It had been him all along. Not once had she thought of Draco Malfoy when she had been thinking of the potential secret admirers. But now, it just made sense. He had been her husband, ahem, ex-husband's best friend, closest confidant and hers as well. Surely, her favorite flowers must have come up once or twice. She was, however, surprised, that he still remembered.

Ginny was flattered that he did. And quite touched too.

Nevertheless, the "incident" still flashed in her mind. And it converted her into a bundle of nerves in an instant. It was not that he had forced himself on her. No, not that all. In fact, if she could recall properly, she had participated willingly in the act. It was simply due to the fact that she was not ready. She had barely gotten over Blaise, then. But now…

Now. She was a free woman. Looking for a husband.

Could Draco Malfoy possibly be it?

Ginny snorted. That was highly doubtful. Forget the fact that he made her heart leap and her toes quiver when he had kissed her. Forget the fact that he had said that he would never marry for convenience but instead marry for love. He was a rake. And rarely do you come across any reformed rakes. Blaise Zabini had been the perfect example.

As she debated on whether or not she was to accept Draco's offer for lunch, Molly waltzed into the living room.

"Those are the loveliest roses I have ever seen." Her mother said with a sigh. "Might I ask whom they are from?"

Trust her mother to ask.

"Draco Malfoy."

"Wh-what? Oh dear. Really? Let me see that." Molly tried to snatch the card from her grasp, but Ginny crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the fireplace.

"It is none of your business, mother dear." Ginny said with a sweet smile. No one had known of the incident that occurred between Ginny and Draco. No one had even noticed that they were not on good terms. And Ginny, surely, did not want her mother to be the first to know.

"Well, he sent you flowers. Evidently, he is interested." Molly was smiling. "Narcissa will be so pleased! She and I have gotten to be good friends, did you know that? And Draco is such a gentleman. So undeniably dashing!"

Ginny resisted the urge to grab the Spellotape sitting on the bookshelf and tape her mother's mouth shut.

"Did he ask you out?"

Ginny nodded slowly.

"You must accept."

Ginny just stared at her.

"Ginny, you must. This is Draco Malfoy! The most wanted bachelor in the entire wizarding community. Do you know how many women would kill to be in your shoes?"

Ginny shook her head. She had no idea, no.

Molly grew exasperated. Ginny rolled her eyes. "Alright. Alright!"

Molly beamed and threw her arms around her daughter. "Oh, the two of you would make such a splendid couple!"

Of course they would. At least to Molly's eyes. Draco Malfoy was after all, handsome, charming, and rich. Not too different from one Blaise Zabini.

A leopard never changes his spots. Ginny reminded herself as she went off to get ready.

Draco had made reservations at Alfredo's for a table near the back. His request was immediately done as his mother and himself were frequent customers of the Italian restaurant. Draco glanced at his watch. He had been sitting here for fifteen minutes. Already, some of the customers were glancing at him in curiosity. It was quite obvious that he was waiting for someone. The Draco Malfoy, waiting for someone. And what if he had been stood up? That would be the gossip of the season.

Draco had not received a response from his letter. So it might have been idiotic for him to come out here by himself with no assurance that his invitation was actually accepted. But Ginny was one of his closest friends (that is, before the incident took place) and might probably want to put the past behind her ("might" being a key word) and start fresh. In addition, there was also the fact that he had sent her flowers. Twice. Those flowers were enough to voice out his interests in courting her.

Draco then realized that he was nervous.

The door opened. He looked up expectantly. His face fell when he saw an old lady with glittering diamonds in her ears enter and seat herself at the far corner.

Draco sighed. Maybe he had been excepting too much. Maybe Hermione had been wrong. Everyone deserved a second chance. Clearly, he was not included in that group of fortunate people.

A/N: Reviews are very much appreciated. They encourage me to write and update. :) Truly.