A/N: This story was rewritten in December 2021. If you started before then, please go back to the beginning – a lot has changed!
Chapter 13
As July passed, Ginny lived day to day. She showed up at work, tended to her patients, and went home, occasionally spending time with George and Luna. She skipped their monthly family dinner - prompting a visit from Molly Weasley, but it didn't change anything. In such a short amount of time, she had become so close to Draco. His abrupt absence from her life left her reeling. Ginny didn't have the courage to ask George how Draco was doing. The two men seemed to be spending time together, but Ginny didn't ask about it and George didn't offer her information.
Against her will, Luna dragged her to Diagon Alley the second weekend in July and despite her protests, they spent the day shopping. Luna had a few remaining baby supplies she needed, and she insisted Ginny needed a day out of the apartment. Initially reluctant to participate, looking at sets of tiny dress robes and pretend wands for teething made Ginny smile. Luna was so close to giving birth that the apartment was packed to the brim with clothing, toys, and other supplies, but they managed to get three more sacks full of items.
The two witches had just finished lunch at the Leaky Cauldron and were heading back towards the public Floos when Ginny stopped to adjust the bag on her shoulder. As she righted herself, she turned and immediately slammed into someone coming the opposite direction.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she sputtered, reaching out to steady herself against the wizard in front of her.
"Weasley?" Blaise Zabini stared down at her, helping her regain her footing.
"Blaise - hi -," she paused awkwardly. She couldn't look the dark-haired wizard in the eye, instead focusing on his expensive footwear. "How are you?"
"Can't complain." He eyed her curiously. "Uh - how are you?"
With a shrug, she tried to sound nonchalant, even flashing him an attempt at a casual smile. "I'm fine." The lie was starting to become easy.
"How's Draco?" Luna piped up from beside Ginny. The redhead glared at her, but Luna wasn't going to apologize, "I'm so pregnant I'm about to burst, keep your attitude to yourself."
Blaise sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, "Honestly? He's a wreck." Ginny stayed silent, unsure of how to respond, so he continued, "He doesn't know what to say. He's too scared to tell you how he feels, doesn't want to look like a wanker when you turn him down." He rolled his eyes, "Bloody idiot."
"Who is a bloody idiot?" Priscila's thick Brazilian accent was easily heard over the din of other shoppers around them in the street. The tall woman smiled and set down her shopping bags to hug Ginny tightly. "Ginny, it is so good to see you minha amiga!" The hug lingered, and Ginny leaned into the woman's body, tears at the brim of her eyes. Not being able to get to know the Brazilian witch better was one of the biggest hits in the aftermath of their breakup.
"Draco is a bloody idiot," Blaise explained as Priscila introduced herself to Luna.
"Have you seen him since o incidente?" Priscila asked Ginny.
Ginny shook her head and Luna interrupted, "We've tried to convince her to go talk to him, but she's too bloody stubborn."
"Oi!" Ginny scoffed.
"Draco as well," Priscila sighed, waving Ginny off. "Same as stubborn as she is. He says she hates him, homem estúpido."
"Ginny is sure that Draco is already seeing someone else," Luna rolled her eyes. "It's obvious he's mad about her."
"I am right here," Ginny huffed, folding her arms across her chest.
"Are you going to the opening celebration for the new Ollivander's store tomorrow?" Priscila asked, ignoring her irritation.
"I don't know," Ginny bit her lip nervously. The wizarding community was abuzz with the news of the reopening of Ollivander's. The month-long event would start with a Ministry sponsored formal celebration, followed by the grand opening of the store two weeks later, and finishing with a special day for Hogwarts students who wanted a new wand.
"You got the invitation, right?" Blaise looked concerned, "Draco mentioned he was going to send you one."
"I got it," Ginny confirmed. The invitation had come two days earlier and had premiere access tickets to all the events.
"And she's going," Luna linked her arm with Ginny, who tried to interject, but Luna spoke over her. "It is potentially our last night out before George and I have the baby, so we're all going." Ginny tried to smile, but she couldn't temper the nervous fear in her stomach.
"Then we will see you there." Priscila gave her another long hug and picked up her bags.
Blaise didn't hug her, but instead laid a hand on her shoulder carefully. "Draco's a wanker, Weasley, I won't try to deny that. He's selfish and vain and shallow," he took a deep breath, "And he'd probably Avada me for telling you, but he's mad about you. Head over heels in love with you. I've never seen him like this, which says a lot about how pathetic he is." Ginny couldn't help laughing. "Go to the ministry's celebration. Go see him. He might surprise you."
A week later, Ginny stepped into the ballroom behind Luna and George, taking a nervous breath. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly and exhaled sharply before letting her eyes flutter open again. The room was so richly decorated it made Ginny gasp in surprise.
The elite of wizarding society milled around the room, greeting each other, and commenting on the elaborate wand display at one end of the room. The opposite wall was full of life size mockup drawings of the new Ollivander's store front and layout. The middle of the room was already occupied by multiple couples dancing and twirling around the floor, enjoying music by a live band.
Ginny moved closer to Luna and George, saying, "I don't know if I can do this." Ginny glanced down at the emerald floor length gown – the gown Draco had purchased for her. "I should have worn something else. I shouldn't have come at all!"
"Gin, you of all people should be here," George insisted, "You received an invitation in the mail. You're also the face of the new store." He gestured at a large advert hanging beside the band. The photograph of her nearly took her breath away. Nearly thirty feet tall, the photo Ginny whipped one of the new wands, casting charms of gold sparks. The new Ollivander's logo glittered above her head as she smirked at the camera.
"You look beautiful Ginny," Luna assured her, rubbing her overdue pregnant belly. The blonde witch glanced around the room, "This place really does look nice." After a double take, she stared, confused, towards the other entrance. "Is that Ron?"
Ginny followed Luna's gaze and caught sight of red hair on the other side of the dance floor. "Yeah," she said slowly. "That's Ron and my parents. What in Merlin's name are they doing here?" She made her way across the dance floor and stopped in front of her family.
"Oh, Ginny, sweetheart," Molly Weasley pulled her into a hug. "We were wondering if we would see you here this evening."
"What are you doing here?"
"We all received invitations," Molly shrugged. "We thought we'd come see what all the fuss is about."
"Oh," Ginny said disappointed, "I guess he invited the whole family."
Luna, sensing Ginny's disappointment, wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders, "Gin, I'm sure he wants to see you. Why else would he have invited you?"
The familiar prickling of tears in her eyes caught Ginny off guard. Being here was too much. "I need to step out for some air. I'll catch up with you all soon." She hugged her mother again, and attempted to give Luna a reassuring smile, turning away before the blonde could stop her. It was easy to find one of the balconies that looked out over downtown London. The door closed behind her with a soft click, immediately blocking the din of the party within.
The balcony was full of summer flowers in bloom. Large briar bushes blossomed in rich red and pink roses. Baby blue forget-me-nots tangled with green vines to frame the doorway. On one side of the balcony, a large hedge had been trimmed into an ornate elephant. An overlarge eagle hedge mirrored it on the other side of the balcony. Leaning against the rail, Ginny inhaled, savoring the floral aromas surrounding her, thankful for a moment of quiet.
The door closed again with another click. Turning, she inhaled sharply. Icy grey eyes met hers and Draco froze, obviously surprised to see her.
Silence stretched over them, neither sure of what to say. As always, he had opted for a tailored suit instead of traditional dress robes. It was curious, his hatred of dress robes, especially considering his previous distaste for Muggles and Muggle culture. But a suit fitted him, accentuating his broad shoulders and long legs.
"I didn't mean to bother you." Draco voice was quiet, hesitant.
"You didn't. I just needed some fresh air." The stillness settled around them again. In some part of her mind, Ginny had hoped that being around him again would be easy. That all the pain and anger would stifle her feelings for him. Instead, he was like a drug, and the longer she withdrew from him, the more she craved. Finally, she cleared her throat, cracking the silence. "The event seems to be going well. Lots of people in attendance."
Draco nodded. He still hadn't moved out of the eave, away from the door. "Yes, all the board members and investors seem happy with the turn out."
"And you?" she asked. It amazed him that she could always ask the most unexpected questions.
"Honestly?" Draco took a deep breath and glanced down at his hands, fiddling with his fingers. Being open with people was difficult for him, but even after everything, she still felt safe. "This is my least favorite part," he confessed. "I know I have to go up there and give a speech thanking everyone and promoting the work we're doing. I have to sell unity and healing." He grimaced, and finished softly, "But I know at least half the people in there think I'm Death Eater scum."
"Well, fuck them."
Draco's eyes snapped to meet hers, shock written across his face. "Excuse me?"
"Fuck. Them." Ginny repeated pointedly. "Draco, the work that Malfoy Industries is doing to help rebuild the wizarding community in Britain is unparalleled. I don't think even the Ministry has put this much funding into Diagon Alley in all the time since the war ended. If the people in there," she gestured roughly at the door. "If they can't get over themselves for even a moment to see the good things you're doing, then fuck them. You have better things to worry about than what they think of you."
In two strides, he crossed the balcony, pulled her close, and kissed her. Ginny's body reacted immediately, grasping at his arms. The kiss wasn't gentle. It was demanding and passionate. Ginny was only vaguely aware of his hands cupping her face as his tongue pushed into her mouth and danced with hers. The pads of his thumbs were soft against her cheeks, and she tugged him tighter to her, glad to feel his body against hers. Her senses were inundated with him; from the intriguing musk of his cologne to the velvety silk of his tongue against hers, even down to the lingering hint of butterbeer on his lips. It had never been like this with anyone – Harry, Oliver. Kissing him made her feel alive. For the first time in weeks, the weight of her anger and hurt lifted. Being close to him again, feeling his skin on hers, his fingers groping at her waist, it made every cell in her body buzz. It was like flying.
As if pulled from a trance, he abruptly broke the kiss, rolling his forehead against hers.
"Ginny," he paused, struggling to catch his breath. "There's nothing I can say to make everything ok again," Draco continued quietly, carefully choosing each word. "All I can say is I'm sorry and I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. I always thought 'This is it.' I thought it couldn't get any better – and then you came along. And I know I fucked up, I know this started in the worst way possible, but I - I'm in love with you." He paused again before saying firmly, "I love you." His lips were warm against her forehead, and her eyes fluttered shut, savoring their closeness. "I'll wait for you to forgive me." He gently tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and then walked back inside, leaving her alone on the balcony.