Chapter Thirty Six

Lavender

Ginny braced her hands on the table and looked over the dress decisions. There was Hermione's and Katie's. Since Fred had left they had picked out a light blue floor length dress with short sleeved peasant top for Collette. They had also decided on a layered light pink spaghetti strapp dress for Kristian.

They were about to tackle Luna's outfit when Ginny's Mum entered, covered in flour and carrying the phone. "Ginny, this is for you."

Ginny nodded and took the phone. "Thanks Mum. Why don't you let the girls try your newest concotion?"

As the girls filed out and were joined by the boys (Don't you know how easily food works as an incentive?) Ginny lifted the phone to her ear. "Hello?"

"Well, well, well. Not too busy playing bride to talk to your friends?"

Ginny winced as she recognized the voice. "Lavender, darling. What are you talking about?"

"Ginny Weasley! I thought we were friends?"

"What do you mean?"

"How could you not tell me you were engaged to Draco Malfoy?"

Opps.

"And after all I did for you!" She could almost hear the blonde's false crying that she used to get her way.

"Lavender, dear..."

"You could have told me! Don't you want the world to rejoice in your open declaration of love?"

"Of Course I do! It's just-"

"But no! I had to hear it from your brother!"

Ginny froze. He didn't... Oh that rat. "Which brother?" SHe asked, though she was pretty sure she knew.

"It was one of the twins. I can't tell them apart. He said he was Fred." Lavender sniffled.

Figures, Ginny thought. Something was bothering her though. "Lav, are you... Crying?"

"No!" She protested.

Ginny waited for a moment. "Lav, what's wrong? I know you wouldn't get upset enough to really cry over something as minial as not being invited. Come on. Spill."

The other girl sighed. "It's just, well... Ben and I broke up this morning."

Ginny racked her brains. Ben Wood, Lav's latest boy toy. Nice looking but Ginny had once seen him slip from the polite demeanor into a very ugly person. Ginny could imagine that person coming out for a moment or two during the break up. Ginny listened to Lav crying. Maybe more than a few.

"Lav, he didn't... hit you did he?"

"No!" Once again Lavender protested a bit too loudly and a bit too quickly. Ginny closed her eyes and didn't notice Draco standing in the door way.

"Look. Let's get together, tomorrow. We'll have lunch. It'll be a nice break for both of us."

"Ok." Lav sniffled.

Ginny hung up and opened her eyes. She noticed Draco.

"Did he hit her?" He asked quietly.

"I think so."

"Fucker." Draco punched the wall. "I never liked the look of him."

"Me neither."

"Why didn't you warn her?"

"Do you think she'd've listened? She had to make the decision herself."

"You can lead a horse to water..."

"But you can't make it drink." Ginny finished. "Why didn't you?"

Draco grinned sadly. "Ginny, love, I'm a Malfoy. All through school I was black listed as a future Death Eater. By all rights I shouldn't have cared."

Ginny threw her arms around his neck. "Maybe you're losing it."

Draco looked afronted. "I'm perfectly sane."

"You're marrying me."

"And sound. Did I mention that?"

Giny grinned. "If you break into a show tune..."

Draco returned the grin. "I'm in love with a girl named Gin. My reasons must be clear, when she shows you all how strong she is, you'll stand right up and cheer."

Ginny pulled him laughingly into a kiss before he could start the chorus.

Draco let her go and sent her down the hall for cookies and cake. He waited til she disappeared around a corner before dialing a number.

"Hello, Colin."

(A/N: Julie is gonna kill me for this. Next chapter we follow Fred on his date. Aren't you happy? I brought Draco back! I'm pleased with this chapter. And what is with me and these morbid twists? I've put like three in this week. And... I WATCHED LOST LAST NIGHT! I love it! I was utterly confused because I missed half of season two, but I don't care! yeah (insert spoiler here) And (insert another spoiler here)

To ...- glad you liked!

To EmoEmu- (laughes) will do!

Collette's Dress- http // www . deviantart . com / deviation / 30771101 /

Kristian's Dress- http // www . deviantart . com / deviation / 30771217 /