Draco sat in his office, feet up on the desk, and flipping a coin from knuckle to knuckle. His face could tell you he was in deep concentration. Thinking about what he'd mostly thought about as of late. Her. Virginia Weasley.

But now it was different…he had no idea what her life was like in her sixth year. He had no idea the Golden Boy would do anything to harm her. Well, he'd of said anything to ruin Harry's reputation, but most he did not believe him self. He threw the coin across the room. It bounced off the cherry wood paneled walls and fell to the floor.

He needed to get his mind off of things before he went over to her apartment tonight for dinner, he didn't think she'd like him slamming things around. But /what/? It wasn't really any fun being the owner of a large successful company, you hired people to yell at the other employees. You hired even more people to make decisions for you, and then a small team of people to monitor the decision made. You had other people to fire the inadequate morons that worked for him, daily. Yes, every one else got to have fun except for him. Why did he even bother showing up to his office any more? Draco sighed and tried to think of what he did every time he was down.


A slow smile spread across his face

He knew exactly where to go to distract himself.








"Would you like me to buy you a book cart or something?"

Hermione jumped about two feet in the air, and whirled around glaring because she recognized the voice.

"Don't /do/ that! You're going to give some one a heart attack, and how did you get in here any way? I didn't hear the bell ring."

She could have sworn his eyes sparkled, as he airily said, "It's a gift," he shrugged, " what can I say."

Scowling she said, "Piss off, will you?" He ignored this as she continued to carry books from boxes behind the counter to the back.

"You always seem to be carrying books, are you a full muggle now, or did you forget how to use a wand?" His voice surprisingly not filled with malice, he just sounded…curious.

"Was that in insult? If it was you'd better work on your tone."

He laughed lightly, "You're the only one feisty enough around here that will take compliments as insults. Come on, entertain me, I'm bored." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

She dropped her box of books on the counter, and turned to stare at him fully now, "Oh my God, /the/ Draco Malfoy wants me to baby sit him." Her mouth could have dropped open.

He laughed again, "Yes, well, I always did like my babysitters."

"Ok, let's stop this. It's getting kind of creepy."

"Alright then, but I'm still bored."

"Don't you have a job?"

"Yes, actually I do. But being rich has it advantages. I go in once a week to yell at some one or fire them…some times both."

Hermione muttered "figures" but then an idea came to her, "You know Ginny isn't coming here today. Harry has James, and she went out with her mother for lunch."

For a moment he looked confused, "That was a bit random don't you think?"

"Aren't you here waiting for Ginny?"

"Hmmm, They said you were smart in school Granger, either I was right all along, or you're loosing brain cells quickly. I already told you, I was bored and I thought I'd come over and bother you for a while."

"…Oh…" Thankfully right then some one walking into the shop, smiling sweetly she said, "If you'll excuse me, some of us actually have to /work/ for our money."

But for the rest of the day Draco and Hermione actually had an enjoyable time together. A few good humored comments about each other, but over all they both discovered they /could/ stand one another(!)

When it was time for Draco to leave, Hermione found she was quite reluctant to let him go.

And she couldn't help but wonder 'Was this the same worthless prat I'd hated so many years ago…?'

He'd matured in some ways, although there was still that childish competitor in him. But he didn't act like such a puppet any more. If he hated you it was because he had a reason to…whether that reason was valid, or fair wasn't really his concern, but at least it was is own opinion. That and she was truly amazed by his knowledge, not only with everything from histories to science, but also on how he kept up to date with the current news (wizarding and muggle).

'To bad he was such a son of a bitch during school…I missed deep thinking intelligent conversation all those years at Hogwatrs…'

She even let her self smile for him, /for/ him, that's the word that startled her. She wanted him to know she was happy when he was a round. Thoughts in her head formed of maybe hanging out, getting to know each other, all past experiences disregarded. And she even indulged into letting herself have a brief fantasy of making out with him while he helped her put books where they belong.

But all fantasies were shattered when he spoke his next words, "I'm going over to Gin's tonight, so I'd better get going, I'm thinking of bring James a toy so I have to stop by some toy shop. But thank you for the lovely afternoon." He even winked. Although Hermione, as soon as she'd heard Ginny's name, dropped her smile.

She'd almost forgotten why her and Malfoy acted as mutual friends…because that's what they were, mutual /friends/ to /Ginny/. Draco saw her dropped smile, and wondered if it was because he was leaving, then as he thought that was correct he almost grinned. How…delightful.

"What's the mater?"

She was startled out of her 'traitorous' thoughts by his voice, "Oh...I just…remembered I have a dinner date with Ron tonight."

For a second Draco felt put out that she was not upset at him leaving, but pushed it aside. "Well, that's always a good reason for a frown, spending time with a Weasel."

She scoffed, but still gave him a small slightly forced smile, "Get out of here, you're going to be late! And there's a toyshop James is always looking at, it's down the street a ways" she pointed in the right direction.

"Thanks."

And so he finally left. And Hermione for the first time in a long while, felt like crying.

She'd finally found some one she could connect with. Some one who might just be more amazing than they seem. Everything she was looking for was in that man…and he was in love with her best friend.




Draco had looked through the toy store, and was sorely disappointed in what he found, which was in fact just /toys/. He wanted to give James something special. Something, Draco smirked, that he would show to Potter and tell him how amazing the toy was compared to his other lame ones he already owned.

He'd finally found something when he'd been walking for a while and turned up in Knockturn Alley, a place he often visited as a child. It was a necklace with a snake on it, and the snake enabled you to see in the dark when requested, and the seller boasted it could multiply your psychic powers. He doubted that last bit…and it wasn't a toy…but he felt like he had to get it for the boy. He did check though if there was anything of dark magic in it. He couldn't feel anything himself, but wanted to make sure. Sadly, the seller replied as he thought he wouldn't want to buy it, that no dark magic was used to make it.

Draco purchased it immediately, then apperated out side of Virginias' apartment complex. He looked down at his Rolex, relieved to see he was in fact a few minutes early. The surrounding grounds and neighborhood of the place wasn't that bad, very kid friendly, and extremely nice. Not run down at all, like he'd first expected a Weasley's dwelling to be like. Apparently Harry was paid well for his job.

The doorman, who knew him from previous visits, waved giving him a kind smile.

"How are you Luke?"

"Just fine sir. And I trust you are doing well, also?"

"Never been better. I'm just here for dinner With Virginia and James." Draco actually liked talking with the old man. He was wiry thin, had white hair and a mustache, sparkling blue eyes, and a kind soul. While Draco had been here often he'd always talked to him. He knew he had no children, his only son died in the War against Voldermort (*hint* Wizard apartments), and he now only worked part time as a doorman here and spent the rest of his day with his wife, Marie. She liked knitting things, and has offered to make Draco a cap, as he is "such a compassionate soul to be so nice to an old man". They were good people

"Ah, yes, well go right on up. I knew there was some reason the Young Missus was so excited today." He continued to smile as Draco walked through the door.

"Thank you, bye"

Ginny lived on the top floor, one of those suites that had a garden opening out onto the roof. Spacious, but not too extravagant. Virginia hated to fuss about every little thing.

He'd reached her door, numbers 105, and was greeted by a grinning child, "Muuuuuuuuuuum! He's here! He's here!" James was obviously excited. This was the first evening they all would be spending together. Usually Draco and Ginny were with friends, or out, and James hadn't been with them both just spending time with each other. He had always been curious to ask about that, to any one he could ask. Especially his Father, it was funny how his face would screw up then he'd always answer "They watch TV James." Some times he'd ask just to see 'the funny face' as he'd dubbed it.



Oddly enough Draco got along with the little wretch. Ginny was making dinner, and while he offered to help she said she'd rather he spend time with James. 'Oh joy'

But it turns out it was quite fun, right now they were playing with little tin soldiers, who were magicked into moving and having an actual battle.

It was quite amusing for almost every one when Draco complained loudly that he got the stupid side of soldiers. Then his own side turned on him, including James' pieces who decided to help out fellow Tin Men in battle. He had to scramble into the kitchen, where the soldiers cowered under Gin's fierce glare as she told them to "play nice".

Before that he had played Wizard's Chess, and he must admit the boy gave him a run for his money. But in the end threw the game, after all it was the polite thing to do.

Dinner to was enjoyable. The food was /excelent/, even he had to admit.

"Gin, how would you like to come live with me?" He asked during the middle of dinner.

You could hear a pin drop.

But then he added, "You know, be kind of like a personal live-in cook, this food is good." Draco and James laughed as Ginny tried to swat him from across the table. But also added a small thank you for the compliment.

After dinner they watched a Wizney Movie (Wizards Disney), then Ginny put James to bed.

As she was tucking him in she asked, "So…what do you think? Is he ok?"

James thought for a minute, "Yeah…he's fine, except he really sucks at wizard's chess, I beat him 4 times! I wasn't even trying!"

Gin laughed a bit, "Ok sweet heart. I love you" she kissed him on the fore head, "Do you want me to read you a story?"

"No." she was a bit surprised, he always wanted a story. But then smile at his explanation. "Could Draco read it to me?"

"Sure, I don't think he would mind."

Ginny left and a few minutes and later returned with Draco. He only looked slightly annoyed. "Aren't you a bit old for bed time stories?"

"/No/." James pointed to the wooden armoire, "I want the 'Oscar Book'."

Draco hadn't the slightest clue as to what the "Oscar Book" was, but still opened the doors revealing children's toys and picture books.

Scanning the titles he was thinking which book was the right one, then spotted "Oscar Wildes Stories For Children"

'Ah, the Oscar Book'

He grabbed the book confidently and sat down on the bed next to him, and started to read the first short story, 'The Selfish Giant'.

"Every afternoon, as they were coming home from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant's garden….."

About 5 minutes later…..

"….they found the Giant lying dead under the tree, all covered with white blossoms."

Draco closed the book, "What the /hell/ kind of story was that? This is more depressing than my childhood! Christ, what is wrong with this author?" He flipped the book closed and read the authors name, then flipped back to the story's end, "I mean does he honestly know how traumatizing it is to a child to find a dead body?!"

James had been silent all through his rant and he turned to him to see what he was doing. But the little boy was sleeping soundly. Once again Draco felt like this was something special, like the way children are is a miracle in it's self. After a moment he got up and exited the room. Ginny was nestled in front of the roaring fire in the fireplace on top of a couple of goose down quilts and pillows sipping a cup of tea and looked up as he came in the room, book in hand.

She smiled, "How did things go?"

Sitting down next to her, he handed her the book, "This is a horrible story book, it's going to make the kid depressed if he learns how to follow the plot." Virginia giggled.

"Only you Draco, only you."

"Here, I bought this for him today, I just thought he might like it." He handed here a small box which the necklace is in.

As she looked at it her eyes went wide, it looked expensive. "See? I even got him a 'manly chain', none of those dinky girly ones."

Gin laughed and smacked his arm lightly, "A /manly/ chain? You're worse than Ron…but thank you." she waved her hand slowly over the box "I can feel it's magic though, what does it do."

Draco gave her a devious grin, "That's half the fun for you, trying to find out."

She'd set her cup of tea down on the flag stones near the hearth next to the small box, "I'll give it to him first thing in the morning." She was looking him in the eye when she spoke but now they just gazed at one another for a long while. Draco was the first to move. He put a hand to her cheek, running his thumb across it, then pulled her forward.

There was no light touches here, no butterfly wings of kisses, no gentle prodding, or asking cautiously for permission. It was all passion, all fire. Just like he'd remembered, only better than before. He deepened the kiss as he laid her down, moving to cover her body with his own. Ginny wrapped her legs around his waist as he pressed into her, and she ran her hands through his hair, and over his back. She could feel how aroused he was and this fact only made her want to give him everything, anything he'd ask. An electric current was in the air, and both adults' movements became more erratic. He had to feel her skin, she had to get closer some how, they wanted to get rid of each others' clothes completely.

It was when he was unbuttoning her shirt that he noticed something. That for most part he'd been slightly thinking of some one else…some one with brown hair not red…some one who he'd spent one of the most enjoyable afternoons with and hadn't expected anything more than a fight, but found much more than he'd bargained for…

"…Draco…?"

He looked at her, had she noticed he was spacing out?

"I don't think I can…I'm sorry. It's just…James is here…and Harry…and everything just…I think I'm confused…and…" She looked about to cry as he kept his face blank. He let out his breath, as he knew she hadn't noticed his mind wandering.

Then he thought that maybe it was his blank expression that was upsetting her more than anything. Immediately Draco got off her and pulled her into a sitting position.

"It's ok, really. /I'm/ the one that should be sorry, I just really wanted to kiss you then…I'm sorry." He tried to make amends.

She could feel he was telling the truth, and that he wasn't angry with her for not following through. He held her close, and told her that things were complicated right now especially with the history they have together, and the history she has with out him also.

And so they laid side by side. He was holding her, and she him. Ginny still needed this closeness, she just didn't want to have sex, and he understood that. He told her he respected her decisions, and he truly did.

As the fire died out, and the cup of tea chilled, these two friends/almost lovers fell asleep. And as their dreams weaved their way through out their minds…something else was happening miles away. Something that would change their lives forever.




(A/N): Claimer: I own Wizney (Wizards Disney) I've never seen it any where else, so at least I think its mine O.o
Disclaimer: I didn't think up Disney, hell I'm not /that/ old thank you very much! And also there is an actually book called "Oscar Wilde Stories For Children". And the story excerpt is from the very first short story, "The Selfish Giant". I know Draco hasn't been /totally/ in character…but that little rant was /way/ off base if I may say so my self. But that's because it was me speaking through him, I wasn't sure how he'd react…so I put down what I would do…or erm…what I /did/ do.

Any ways you know the drill, REVIEW!

-Wind and Ashes