Chapter Three

Draco Malfoy was looking at jewelry when the sexy red head and her psychotic brother came into the store. Usually he wouldn't be caught dead looking at things like rings and necklaces but his mother's birthday was approaching and she liked pretty things. She was also pissed at him over the whole war thing.

So he was looking for something shiny to distract her. It worked when he accidentally played Quidditch in the manor's great hall with his friends so no reason it wouldn't work for the rest.

He saw the redhead come into the store, using the mirror against the back wall to study her as she entered. He knew her, of course. Ginny Weasley. Somehow she'd gotten sexy. When did that happen? he wondered.

She met his eyes in the mirror and smirked at him.

Damn. That was sexy too.

He watched her move towards the necklaces and scowled. She was headed for the rubies. She'd never be able to afford them, of course but it was the principle of the matter. He'd been picking out jewels for his mother since he was five and if there was one thing he knew, it was how to pair a woman with a stone.

"No," he said, coming over to her.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her eyes merry.

"Rubies are not your stone. Especially not this shade."

"Then what do you suggest?"

He gestured for the clerk who unlocked the case. "Sapphires. Or those amethysts. Those dark ones. But my personal favorite..."

The clerk handed him the piece in question. It was an emerald, the size of his thumbnail and oval shaped, wrapped in thin, square silver wire that had been twisted and caught the light beautifully.

"It's gorgeous but a bit out of my price range."

"PIty," he said but clasped it around her neck anyway.

"Malfoy, stop touching my sister."

Draco turned from the crimson haired goddess to her irritating brother. "Sup, Weasley?"

"I'm here to...apulugieze."

"What was that?"

"I'm...sorry."

Draco had to bite his lip really hard to avoid a grin. Then he remembered his current predicament.

"Forget it, Weasley," he snapped.

"I'm apologizing here!"

"I know. Accepted. Now let's get back to our lives. I'll go back to being an asshole and you go back to being a self-righteous prick."

"I'd watch what you say to my brother," the scarlet princess said softly.

He looked at her. Her brown eyes were flecked with gold and now the gold seemed to have taken over, making them bright and hard. She was serious and he wondered how far he could push her.

What a great idea, he thought. Start a war with Pretty Weasley and the whole school would think him an asshole.

Then again, Macho Weasley and the rest of the Crimson gang would probably destroy him. Besides, she was hot and the idea of getting in her pants, of being the one to go where Saint Potter hadn't, was definitely not without appeal.

"My apologies," he said. "Weasley, I accept your apology and I will do everything in my power to avoid killing you when we go back to school."

"Uh...thanks?"

"We aren't friends. We won't ever be friends. But I think I can keep from trying to kill you. Don't expect me to refrain from getting your ass in trouble."

"Perish the thought," Ginny muttered.

He glanced at her. She was wearing a V cut tee and black jeans. The necklace rested in the hollow of her throat and he wondered if he could feel her pulse if he kissed her there. What a strange thought, he thought but he knew he had a fun new distraction for the year to come.

"We should leave," Weasley said.

"Right," Ginny said, reaching reluctantly to take off the necklace.

"Keep it," Draco said suddenly. "Buy yourself a new house."

Weasley's face went purple but Ginny just looked at him, one hand at the priceless stone around her neck.

"Get, little Weasleys."

Weasley stalked from the place and Ginny followed him at a more regal pace.

"Sir?"

He turned to the clerk.

"Were you getting anything for your mother or just for the lady?"

"I don't know, Owen," Draco sighed. "Give me something gaudy and expensive. You know how my mom is."

"Let's see," Owen said, and moved towards the platinum and yellow diamond pieces.

(A/N: I had some fun with the Ro and Draco interaction. They're just so fun to write.