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 Ten

The Weasleys had never been privy to the finer things in life. It was not until Ginny had married a Zabini that she had been able to experience true wealth. Clearly, however, money was not everything.

Ginny had only been to Alfredo's once. It was a year ago. Their first anniversary. The thought made her blanch. Ginny shook it away and strolled in, looking for the tell-tale sign of Draco Malfoy's head: shining platinum blonde. She used to think it was unnatural to have hair that color. It looked glorious on Narcissa, of course. But on Draco, it looked all wrong. At least she used to think so, the first time she saw him at Hogwarts. But now, it sort of suited him. It matched his sharp features to perfection, his pale skin, and piercing gray eyes.

It was no wonder that he was so popular with the female populate.

Finally, she found him near the back of the restaurant looking quite pathetic by himself. Ginny noticed that more than a few pairs of eyes followed her as she made her way towards him. She ignored them and seated herself daintily in front of Draco. He looked up at her with a mixture of relief and astonishment.

"You came." Draco said, almost with incredulity.

"You thought I wouldn't?" Ginny asked, cocking an eyebrow. Well that was news. Okay, so maybe not news. If she were in his shoes, she'd probably be doubting herself as well. After all, she hadn't really been kind during the "incident". Rejection was a sharp knife. It was bound to hurt like hell.

"There was a possibility that you wouldn't."

"Well I'm here now."

There was a moment of unbearably awkward silence. The kind that Ginny hated the most. Draco cleared his throat. "Shall we order first?"

Ginny nodded mutely. He beckoned for the waiter to attend to them. They selected from the menu. Once they were done, the waiter disappeared behind the kitchen doors.

"I owe you an explanation." Draco said frankly. Ginny remained silent. His eyes were locked on hers. They were unfathomable and seemed to be full of secrets. She wondered what they were. She wondered if she was going to learn about them in a while. "Do you recall what I said to you during the Winter Ball?"

"About marriage?"

"Yes."

"Of course. One does not forget that sort of thing. And both of us know that night had been an unforgettable one." Indeed it had been. Every scene had been etched into her mind. If only she could obliterate them all.

"Then you must know how I feel about you."

Ginny swore her heart stopped the very second those words fell from his lips. It was a question she had never found an answer to. How could she when they had barely spoken a word to each other?

Then there was the fact that the kiss happened a mere three weeks after she had left Blaise. And they had not seen each other during those three weeks. How on earth could Draco fall in love with her? It just did not seem possible.

"Perhaps you have confused infatuation with love." She said softly.

"Trust me Ginny, there is a very big difference between the two." Draco said in utter seriousness. Suddenly, she felt very, very scared.

"I have been in love with you for a very long time." Draco said quietly.

"Fo – for how long?" She croaked. Her fingers were trembling, she realized. She clasped them in her hands and hid them underneath the table.

"Since my 21st birthday."

Ginny felt dizzy. That was almost three years ago. She had been married to Blaise for more than two years. Draco was there during the entire time. He had watched them say their vows to one another, display affection for each other, kiss and embrace…

Draco was unwavering in his gaze. "Oh yes, seeing you with Blaise was painful." He said flatly, reading her mind. "But 'Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife'." Draco laughed bitterly. "You used to ask me all the time why I hadn't married. The answer is simple enough. It was because the woman I loved had already been taken by another man, who was none other than my best friend."

Ginny felt her mouth open and close. But no sound came out.

"When you left him, you could not even imagine how I felt." Draco continued. "I knew I had my chance. And I took it. Apparently, however, my actions were undesired."

"I – I hadn't been ready yet." She stammered.

"I understand that. And I apologize for being too forward with you that morning." Draco said earnestly. "To be truthful, that kiss had not been my intention. I fully intended to explain everything to you before I made a move. I knew you would not be ready yet. But sad to say, I lost control." Draco smiled crookedly. "It is so difficult to be in control when you are around the woman you love."

This was too much information. Ginny was not sure how to handle it. More so, she did not know how she felt about it. Her emotions were going on overload. Draco was in love with her. A part of her was ecstatic. That kiss had been a dangerous thrill. She would be lying if she said she had not enjoyed it. And her friendship with Draco had been special. They cared for each other, that much was true.

But there was another part of her that was downright frightened. Draco and Blaise were too much alike. They were practically cut from the same cloth.

Who was to say that Draco could remain faithful to her? Blaise had vowed that he would be. But then look what happened. Ginny could not bear to have her heart broken a second time around. She was not certain that she could survive a second time.

"Blaise had shattered my trust." Ginny said almost inaudibly. "You must understand that this will be difficult for me. You must prove to me that you can be faithful."

There was a spark of anger in his gray eyes. His mouth settled into a firm line. "There is no comparison between me and Blaise." His tone was accentuated with a sharp fury. Ginny realized she might have insulted him. But she was speaking from the heart.

"And I swear to you Ginny, that I will."

…

Every Sunday, the Weasleys (the ones who were not busy) would gather at the Burrow for lunch. Today, happened to be a Sunday and Molly had been kind enough (more like, eager enough) to invite Ginny's suitor over. (and no, it was not Harry, it was not Richard, nor was it James). That suitor happened to be Draco Malfoy. And the rest of the family did not yet know about this save for the two original Weasley women.

Molly bustled in the kitchen cooking lunch. Already, the delicious smell of baked potatoes and roast beef wafted in the air. Ginny prepared the table. No one had arrived yet, except for her father who was currently resting in their bedroom. "Mum! Who's coming again?"

"Just Ron, Hermione, and the twins!" Molly called out from the kitchen. "Their wives won't be present though."

Counting themselves and Draco, that would be a total of eight people. Ginny set the plates and silverware in order.

The door flew open and the twins entered. "We're home!" They sang in unison.

"Do give your mother a hand in here!" Molly hollered.

"We've barely arrived and she's already asking us to do chores!" Fred said in a loud whisper.

"I heard that!" Molly shouted.

"Coming mother!" George said, flashing a grin at Ginny. "Good to see you, Gin."

"You too." Ginny said smiling. She missed the ruckus they used to cause every single day during their days at the Burrow. She always had the most fun when she was around the twins. They were unbeatable when it came to insanity and laughter.

Ron and Hermione arrived next.

Ginny began to grow apprehensive. No one, except her parents and herself knew about Draco Malfoy's beginning courtship with her. She had no idea how the rest of her family will react when they found out. They were aware that she was being wooed by a few men, but so far, none had actually been invited to the Burrow. None, except Draco Malfoy. Who was soon to arrive in a few –

A polite knock sounded on the front door.

Ginny made a move to answer it, but Ron beat her to the door. "I'll get it." He said, pulling the door open. Ron blinked owlishly. "Malfoy? What are you doing here?"

Draco smirked at him. "Your mother invited me to lunch."

"Really?" Ron asked in disbelief. "All right then. Come on in." But his eyes watched Draco suspiciously.

Ginny swallowed as he approached her. Admittedly, he looked quite relaxed in a white button-down shirt and light brown slacks. Rarely did she seem in any other color besides black. Yes, she decided, white suited him well.

Draco took her hand and kissed the top of it. "Thank you for having me."

Ron, who had gone to retrieve some of the food had not witnessed the greeting. But Hermione did. "Goodness Draco! Don't tell me that Ginny is the woman you are planning to court?" Her tone was one of utter incredulity, but her brown eyes shone with obvious curiosity.

In an instant, all three of the Weasley boys burst out of kitchen.

And all hell broke loose.

…

A/N: Reviews are very much appreciated.