Chapter 36

"That Weasley Nose"

Ginny entered her apartment and turned on the light. It was a quaint elegant place that came fully furnished for short term rentals. It was overpriced, had housekeeping and concierge serve. Ginny had been calling it home for a little over a month. She took off her coat and sat on the couch. She tossed her divorce papers on the coffee table and stared at them. What had she done?

She just took part in her first ever spat of domestic violence and she was quite alright to never take part again. She just couldn't believe what she did to Draco. It just seemed so far from who she was.

There was a knock on her window and she turned around. Percy waved at her from out on the balcony. She got up and went over to let him in. "You know you could have used the door."

"Yeah but muggles have such a process, an intercom, and getting buzzed it," he answered dismissively. "It was just easier to pop over to the balcony."

"I gave you my forwarding address for emergencies."

"I know and I haven't told anyone where you are."

"Well what brings you by at this hour?"

"I was at Mum and Dad's, they're running a marathon of that detective show Dad likes on the wireless and he invited me over to listen. We were into our tenth hour when Inspector Shaughnessy was in the middle of questioning a group of Gobilns who run a high stakes gambling ring, when a certain scrawny spectacle clad auror came by to spread tales of domestic violence," Percy looked her up and down. "I thought he had lost his mind but given the state of you…"

Ginny rolled her eyes and went over to resume her seat on the couch, "Harry spreading tall tales again."

"What happened to you," he asked sitting down next to her.

"Draco and I got into it," Percy looked surprised with a hint of growing fury, "don't get upset I was the one who started and inflicted it."

"Well that I believe… so the tale wasn't so tall."

"Perhaps not tall but a tale, Harry saw nothing but some smudged makeup and a messy haired Draco and jumped to conclusions."

"Correct conclusions"

"Not really, I'm sure he assumed it was Draco but it was me."

"Of course it was, you're feisty," he shrugged, "you've always had to fight for your spot… although I can't imagine what on earth Draco Malfoy has done to incur your wrath."

"Really because most people would think there were multiple things Malfoy would do to deserve such punishment."

"True but not to you, the guy is completely in love with you," Percy said as if it were obvious.

"Draco and I are getting divorced."

"That's… wow, I'm sorry."

"Those are our divorce papers there on the table," she pointed to the packet. "I turn those in and we are done."

"Are you alright?" He asked sincerely

"Of course, this was silly to begin with."

Percy nodded, "yet you just expended so much energy executing your wrath."

"We've been going through the divorce process for three months and he was avoiding signing the papers so I may have used force."

"And he forced back?"

"No of course not"

"Then why is your dress tattered?"

"Oh well, he did send a few minor spells and blocks but mostly he ripped it during amorous activities."

"Um… Gin," Percy raised an eyebrow, "if you two are splitting up, why were you sleeping together?"

"It was a mistake."

"Uh huh… is he ok?"

"He's walking. I did beat him up pretty badly but not bad enough that…" She put her head in her hands. "God I can't believe I did this."

"Gin it's done now, there is no reason to beat yourself up," Percy tried to sound comforting.

She sat up straight, "there are a lot of reasons to beat myself up. But right now I need to know if our parents are going to come looking for me. How are they taking the tales of Potter?"

"Well Dad doesn't believe it and Mum thought she was too trusting and should have known."

"As perusal Dad pulls through with the sanity."

"Not to worry I think Dad will convince mum to come round. It's not as if any of our brothers would believe it except for probably Ron who has absolutely no sense."

"He's a prat but he's not that bad."

Percy snorted, "You haven't been around much. George is having a time of it at the store. Apparently Ron is bumbling and inept."

Ginny chuckled, "He just hasn't found his stride yet."

"Look at you taking the mature road."

"Yeah that's me ms mature," she said sarcastically.

"If I'm allowed to ask, how's Draco doing with all this," inquired Percy?

"Not good"

"I have to tell you Gin I am very surprised with all this. I thought you liked him."

"I do but this isn't right. Even if we had an agreement the man is in love with me. I love him, I care about him but not in the way he needs. It would be wrong for me to keep him from finding someone one who will love him selflessly and without reservation."

"You don't think that will be you?"

"No I don't and I can't stay just for what could possibly be."

"How do you feel about him?"

"Some days I feel lucky, others I feel like I want to strangle him, and some days I stop and ask myself why did I get wrapped up in this mess… Let's be clear, Draco has never done anything to me in the time we have been together. He's been a jerk but he's more often been a gentlemen. He makes me more confident, if it wasn't for him I would have never thought to demand things in my career and actually shape it the way I want. He's incredibly smart and so curious about so many different things; I have never been so immersed in culture in my life. He makes me think deeper about the world and that in turn makes me a better person… that was until tonight," she stood up and began to pace.

"Ginny…"

"I just can't," she cut off Percy.

"Yeah but you love him."

"Loving and being in love are two different things"

"I am aware but you have been through so much with him more than just to fill the requirements of a deal."

"I can't"

Percy sighed, "I'm going to give you my opinion, I know you don't like when your family sticks their noses in but I am going to do it anyway. I don't think it's that you can't, I think it's you won't. I see your smiles and moments where you seem quite happy with your life but I would be a fool to not notice your hesitations. Some people would just call you busy and that you've become a star too big for your small town family. But the way I see it, you pick and choose what to subject us to, you consider the way your oldest friends would react, and it's not because you've been brainwashed it's because you know what being with Draco Malfoy means. He himself has not carried out anything of detriment but his unsavory associations have been heartbreaking for us, for you. So I think you won't because what does that say about you to admit that you have the capacity to fall in love with a guy like Draco Malfoy."

"That Weasley Nose"