The Diary
By Nirvana
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Chapter 8 – Engagement Rings And Big Surprises
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The next morning I woke up with ecstasy flowing through my veins. I was feeling pure bliss when I heard the words, 'I'm going home'. I was in heaven when she said, 'I'll stay there in your house.' I go to the bathroom to take a cold shower. I open the door and for the first time in my life, I noticed the dreadful predicament my bathroom was in. It was a mess. It looked worse than a dumpsite. It looked like hell. Note to self: clean up this dumpsite of a house before she arrives.
I strip off my clothes and step inside the shower *author urges readers to concoct a mental image*. I turn on the shower and soon, I could feel the cold water trickling down my face, my neck, my arms, my torso, and my legs. God, it felt damn good. I began applying soap in my body, going over my toned muscles. I wash up and drape a towel over my waist. I step outside the shower and go to my closet. I pick out black trousers and a white button-up shirt. I dress up quietly and slowly, contemplating what on earth could go wrong with this day. My best friend was coming home and I was going to propose marriage. Undoubtedly, I was in nirvana.
Euphoria was still lingering as I put on my winter cloak and grabbed my wand. I step outside the house, immediately feeling the crisp, cold December air. I imagine my cheeks turning pink at this point. Damn. I might, I repeat might, look like a tomato. But Malfoys do not look like tomatoes. It's unacceptable.
I wonder if Virginia feels the same way as I do – if she loves me like I love her. It doesn't matter. Weather she loves me or not, I'm still going to propose. Of course, I won't force her to marry me if she doesn't like to. Besides, she's still married to Jonathan. THANK GOD FOR DIVORCE!
I don't think it's a crime to be engaged to someone while the other is still married. Think of that muggle couple Virginia told me once. What are their names again? Oh yeah. Ben and Jen. And I must say, for a muggle, that Jen is hot. Nice, big butt. But I'm still rooting for Virginia all the way.
Damn those people whom are Christmas shopping. I can't bloody quicken my pace! They're making it so damn impossible! Fuck.
After a trip that seemed like forever, I finally reached Ferricci's, the jewelry shop. I open the oak door and step inside, a soft tinkling of the bell announcing the glory of my presence. A clerk approached me – Joey, his nameplate said.
"Good morning, sir," greeted the clerk warmly. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm looking for an engagement ring." I inform him. I start to roam around the small shop, observing the jewelry pieces displayed. "Preferably, the best one you've got."
"Ah, yes," Joey nods in understanding. "Follow me, sir."
I was lead to a display case that held a multitude of rings. He selected one and handed it to me.
"How about this, sir?" He suggested. I held it between my fingers, examining each and every detail. "This is made from pure gold, and the three diamonds encrusted are very unusual"
The band was indeed pure gold, it was glowing, with the light pouring out the windows bouncing off to the ring. The three diamonds in the center were complementing the glow of the band, giving it an over-all sparkling effect.
"What makes these diamonds unusual?" I inquire, strongly considering to buy this one.
"The diamonds were varnished with a potion – a potion that had the combined scales of the Antipodean Opaleye and the Ukrainian Ironbelly, both of extremely rare value. The varnishing makes it very appealing to the eyes of the lady." He explained.
"I see…" I murmur. "Let me see the other rings."
I had to weigh my options carefully; picking out an engagement ring for a girl you loved since forever was not a joke. He took out some other rings; some too plain, some too cheap looking, and some too boring. None of them had an impact as the first ring gave.
"I'll take the first one." I tell him, handing back the rigs. "How much does it cost?"
"Three hundred galleons, sir," He said. "It is the most expensive ring in this store; If you would prefer something cheaper – "
"No." I tell him firmly. "I'll take the ring."
Virginia deserves only the best, and the best is what she would get. "Wrap it up and put it in my tab."
"Name, sir?" the clerk inquired.
"Draco Malfoy." I answer absentmindedly, walking back to the counter.
"Y-yes, Mr. Malfoy." He stutters. The change of his voice was fairly obvious – I guess the Malfoy name still intimidates people.
In a few minutes, the ring was boxed up and handed to me. I shove it into one of my pockets and make my way to the bakeshop.
"Manuel!" I call as I step inside the kitchen of my establishment.
"Yes, sir?" The young man inquired, he was holding an apron and his cheek had a smudge of icing.
"I will not be working today and tomorrow." I inform him. "I have some things to attend to. In the meantime, you have control of this shop until I come back. Is that okay?"
"Of course sir. I can manage." He assured me. I had no doubt in Manuel's abilities. Everyone respected him. "Do you need anything else, sir?"
"No. That will be all." I tell him.
I apparated home after; today will be a busy day.
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I find myself standing in the middle of my living room, a broom and dustpan in my hand. I had changed into shorts and an old t-shirt earlier, ready to start out the tasks I had planned today. I had a cleaning apron draped over my waist, and if I could just see myself now, I assume I would have looked like a cross between a lost kid and a stupid adult.
I can't seem to know where to start – everything from top to bottom was topsy-turvy. The sofa was disarranged, the rug had a huge stain, there were old copies of The Daily Prophet scattered on the floor, and the TV needed dusting. Where to start?
Hey, don't get me wrong. I ain't a beginner in housekeeping, but I'm no expert either. It's just that after Virginia left, I saw no reason to tidy up the place anymore – no one was here to see it. So I kept it that way. A war zone.
I start by picking up the old issues of The Daily Prophet, and setting them in one pile. I place it in a big garbage bag I conjured. I swept the floor (with the help of magic, mind you), and wiped the glass table.
I was well aware that I could have easily managed with a few flicks of my trusty wand, but alas, Virginia told me that magic was never to be trusted with cleaning. Charming brooms to move by themselves was acceptable, but charming rags to wipe the tables clean was a no-no.
In four hours, the living room and dining room was squeaky clean. Those two hours included vaccuming, polishing, waxing, and disastrous scrubbing. Then, I trooped to the kitchen. It was the only room that was kept neat. Everything was in order and not a single thing was out of place. I kept it that way because it became my sanctuary. Stupid, I know. But what more could you expect from a guy whose passion includes baking?
I peep inside the cupboards only to find it quite full. No need to replenish the stocks there.
I go upstairs and stop at my open bedroom door. I curse loudly. In it lay a king-sized bed where the sheets were crumpled and some pillows were on the floor. My desk was barely visible as it was covered with useless parchments, broken quills, and empty ink bottles. The closet was wide open, revealing an assortment of clean clothes. They were unwrinkled but messy (I put anti-wrinkling charm on each of them and bring the dirty clothes to the cleaners every other day).
Oh hell. This was only the third room, and already, it took me four hours! Dammit. I still have to clean the guest room and the… bathroom. I groan loudly. Did I have to?
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Shit. I should have known better. I should have called Manuel. Or one of the house elves. But nooo! I just had to give the house elves a day off and tell Manuel manage the bakeshop. Geez, what wrong timing.
I summoned the cleaning things I saw Manuel use before. I put on rubber boots and hand gloves – wouldn't want my hands to become all wrinkly when Virginia comes. I make my way to my bathroom door, ready to clean it all up. I pick the clothes and throw them to the laundry basket outside the door.
This was going to take all day if I don't work fast! Where to start? I never cleaned a bathroom before and I didn't have a bloody idea how to do it. I get an idea. I go downstairs to the fireplace and grab a handful of floo powder.
"Karen Stone" I call. The face of Karen appears.
"Malfoy?" she asked confusedly. "Why the hell are you calling me?"
"I uh…" I stutter. "I want to ask for your help."
She raised an eyebrow, looking at me mockingly.
"Help?" She scoffed. "Don't make me laugh. You never ask for help!"
"Please! I really need help!" I beg. Shit. What's happening to me? I don't beg.
"What kind of help?" she inquired. "This doesn't require me to move a finger, does it?"
Okay. There goes the plan to lure her in here and help me clean the bathroom.
"No." I assure her. Yeah right. "I just want to ask you how to clean a bathroom."
"Clean a bathroom?" she echoed.
"Yes." I'm getting really impatient now. Does women have to be that difficult?
"What on earth do you need that for?"
"I have to clean it. Virginia will be coming tomorrow." I answer.
"Oh." She muttered.
"Well, what do I do now?" I question irately. "I don't have all day you know!"
"I gathered that much." She tells me. "First of all - "
"Wait!" I mutter a spell. It made her face follow me. "There."
"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, that you must first clean the toilet."
"Ugh." I wrinkle my nose. Malfoys do not do these kind of things. "How do I do that?"
She explained. I did it. I surveyed the now clean toilet.
"How does that look?" I ask her.
"Good." She answered. "Now, you clean the shower."
"How?"
Again, she explained. Again, I did it. And it took me a good thirty minutes too! I look at her image only to see her filing her nails.
"Done already, are you? Took you long enough." She commented.
"Shut your yap, woman!" I retort, her passive condition making me more and more irate.
"What do I do now?"
"Clean the sink." She told me.
"How?"
For the third time, she explained. For the third time, I did it. This time, it took me only ten minutes.
"What now?"
"You know…" She told me thoughtfully. "You could have just performed a spell and everything would be clean."
"What did you say?" I ask. I heard her, alright; I just wanted to hear it again.
"You could have just performed a spell and everything would be clean."
"But Virginia said that doing things the muggle way would be better and safer!" I protest. Surely, this woman was plotting against me.
"Better and safer, yes. Nevertheless, the effects would still be good. Besides, you know how Ginny is with cleaning. Everything must be perfect and sparkling clean. You, on the other hand, just wanted to make it appear acceptable." Karen shrugged. "Anyway, your house looks presentable for her taste now. When she comes, you can be a Romeo and swoon her all night into nothingness."
"Excuse me?" I say, quite surprised. "Why would I do such a thing?"
"Don't play games with me, Malfoy. I know a guy in love when I see one. In this case, I can tell you're in love with your best friend. It also doesn't help that you're so transparent."
"If I'm transparent, why doesn't she notice how I feel?" I question, going to my now-clean bedroom. I lie down on my bed, with her image hovering on top of me.
"You keep on giving her mixed signals, Malfoy! And another thing, you just didn't tell her." She responded, crossing her arms.
"How could I tell her? Everytime an opportunity comes, someone else has to destroy it. There's no hope for me, Karen. I'm doomed to have a miserable love life."
"You're not doomed, Malfoy. Just unlucky." Karen said. "Why do you wait for Ginny anyway? There are many girls out there who would give her right leg and first-born child to date you."
"I just love her. She's the only person who could really understand me, and who knows me inside out. Anyway, I'm proposing to her tomorrow."
"Proposing? As in, marriage?" She inquired.
"Yeah. I have a chance, and I'm going to grab it."
"But isn't she still married to Jonathan?" Karen asked, a questioning look passing her face.
"She still is. But after the way he treated her, I think there would be a whole lotta room for divorce." I reply.
"Treated her? How did he treat her?" She questioned, confused.
"He beat her, forbade her to speak with me, and he almost raped her."
"Jonathan did those? Oh my god!" Karen gasped, one hand went to her heart and the other over her mouth. She looked like an aristocrat who just found out that she was bankrupt.
"Yes, that's why she's going back to England."
Karen nodded in understanding, "I see. Well, good luck, Malfoy."
"Thanks," I say. "I think I need it."
"No problem. I just want to see Ginny happy again." She responded, "Bye, Malfoy!"
"Bye," I call out. With that, her face disappeared from the flames. Her image was gone and I was left in peace to ponder about tomorrow's events.
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3:00 p.m.
The next day, I received an owl from her. It was Athena.
Dearest Draco,
By the time you read this, I'm probably on the plane right now. I'll just tell you to expect me around 8:00 p.m. Don't worry about me, I'll just go straight to your house. I'm boarding the American Airlines, for your information. Oh yeah, please keep Athena until I arrive. I see no use for you to send back a reply since I'm on the plane and I'll see you later this day. Take care.
Love always,
Virginia
At least she had the brains to inform me of her whereabouts. I sigh in exasperation. In a few hours, she would finally be here, safe in my arms. And she would know how I feel.
The six hours came and gone. She still wasn't here. I wait for another hour. Still no sign of Virginia. By 10:00, I was sick with worry. I flick on the television, hoping to pass the time. To my surprise, it was the news channel. There was a news flash.
"…. The reason for the plane crash of the American Airlines from Salem to London is still unknown…"
Oh god. Virginia.
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A/N: Okay, most of you are probably gonna drop this story since I killed Ginny. I honestly don't blame you. But please, you'll find out the reason for the diary in later chapters. I'm begging you, don't drop this story! But uh… if you guys are upset with this… I could uh, write an alternate ending?
Btw, I have no idea if an airline called American Airlines exist. Forgive me if they don't. I'm not an American so I don't know the airlines there….
Next chapter: The funeral and Draco and the Weasley brothers beat up Harry.
Shoutouts!
Crystal – thanks for reviewing! *hugs*… I really had a hard time writing that chappie. Thanks again!
GinnyYvetteHermione – I'm sorry it didn't turn out like you expected. Thanks for not dropping this story and for reviewing!
cashew - no need to bang your head on the table! I think we can arrange how Jonathan is to die… would you do the honors?
Pterix – The diary will come to play in chapter 10, don't worry. Oh yeah, I read your story, TIE. It was great! Thanks for the compliment!
Uglinessrox55 – I'm sorry you got a dead Ginny, but thanks for reviewing!
Silver Essence – You can join cashew in killing Jonathan. I'll let you two do the honors. Hmmm… better bring Kaitlin-Scott with ya…
Kaitlin-Scott – I think you wanna kill Jonathan… join forces with Silver Essence and cashew!!! Yahoo!!! I'll be there to watch you murder Jonathan…
SaintlySmile – You're welcome, SaintlySmile. I love your reviews!
Champagne – Oh my god! I'm so sorry!!! Geez, you don't know, but your one of my favorite reviewers!! Don't be sad, champagne (but I think you will be now that I killed Ginny)… thank you for reviewing!! And… will you update your stories? I'm dying to know what'll happen next.
Dama-de-tinieblas – thanks for reviewing!!! You have a cute name… *smiles*
Just me – thanks for reviewing!
Rachel – there's no way she's gonna reject him… now that she's gone. *cowers* Thanks for the review!
Rainpuddle – hmmm… Ginny pregnant? That could be a possibility. Thanks for reviewing!
To my other readers, thanks!