Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but I own the plot.

A/N: Ooh, glad everyone liked the last chapter, esp. the apple-scented shampoo part! =)

Sorry…VERY sorry…about the late update. Do you want to hear my reasons? I think not.

On the other hand…D/G interaction coming up! Not a lot but…anyway! Chapter four ahead!

Warning: semi-OOC-ness for Draco.

Bride of a Dragon

By: Katrina

A Weasel's Surprise

Oh. My. God! was the only thought in Ginny's mind as she, the moment she got back to the hotel, dashed into the bathroom and threw up what little she had for supper into the toilet. The three words rang over and over again in her mind till she was too tired to think. Her mind had become a kind of a blank slate, unwilling to register what had just happened moments earlier with Draco.

Finally, when she finished retching, Ginny flushed the toilet, and not caring that she might be ruining her favorite dress she just plopped herself down on the cold and clammy floor, leaning against the whitewashed wall, trying to control her ragged breathing. I can't believe I did that! She thought, not without panic, to herself. She had kissed Draco! Not on the mouth, because that was too gruesome to think about, but nevertheless the Weasley lips had made contact with the Malfoy skin. Come to think of it, it is as smooth as it had looked, Ginny muttered sarcastically to herself.

Wait…that isn't the point I was trying to make. Ginny groaned and put her head in her hands, heaving another deep sigh. So much for seduction. I bet Draco's laughing over the stupid stunt I'd pulled off.

"What chance do I have?" cried Ginny aloud, conjuring up a mirror to study her reflection. After the throwing up, she looked awful. Her skin was exceptionally pale and her hair had come out of the clip, very limp and the usual fiery color gone. And there were blotches of green even on her cheeks.

That was what made her throw up, Ginny realized, replacing the mirror, unable to look at her sorry image any longer. The realization that Colette was better than her. Truly better than her. In so many ways. Yes, true, she was a tigress; she was a bitch; she was violent; but so what? What she does have made up for it, at least to a Malfoy. She has money. She has beauty. And for goodness' sakes, perhaps Draco Malfoy would want some bitchy woman so that the new Malfoy children could be a nice combination of bitchiness and snobbiness, upholding their beautiful reputation! Ginny had smelt the expensive essence of Colette's perfume on Draco's robes, reminding her that she was…just Ginny Weasley. Poor. Unmarried and with a child.

Ginny finally forced herself to stand up. Her mother had always told her to be strong. Thinking about her mother made her heart ache. What wouldn't she give to have her family back again? And thinking of that made her think about Draco again. Whether she could or not, whether she wants to or not, she must seduce that brat.

She rethought about the words of Hermione's letter in her mind. Being the smart person Hermione was, Ginny was sure that Hermione had suspected everything. If you want to seduce an arrogant brat, Gin, the letter had read, I think you should make the first move. Write a note to set up a date; kiss him—yes, Ginny, on the mouth! And I'm very sure you'll do just fine.

'Kiss him—yes, Ginny, on the mouth!' Ginny scrunched up her nose. She didn't remember how it felt like to kiss Draco on the night of Molly's conception…and although his lips seemed quite kissable, she wasn't about to fling herself upon him to kiss him.

"Oh shut up," she told herself, leaving the bathroom with a horrible headache. "Remember you used to practice kissing your pillows for Harry? Whether you like or not, Virginia Elizabeth Weasley, you are going to do the same for Draco Malfoy."

Ginny smiled wryly. Time to write another note, then.

~*~

The Malfoy mansion was exceptionally quiet and felt very empty that night. Draco sat in the living room, watching the Muggle television with an amused smirk. Muggles do know more than we give them credit for, he commented with his arms crossed over his chest. Too bad they still are inferior creatures. Not to mention that it showed only Muggle news, in French, which Draco didn't understand. But it made noises. Rational noises. And Draco was tired of eternal quietness.

Unlike most people who liked to ponder matters in silence, Draco liked to ponder things when something was going on. And while the television was blasting at its full volume, he thought again about the so-called "date" he'd had with Virginia Weasley. The kisses. The two kisses that hardly could be counted as kisses. The pathetic excuses for kisses that she used to seduce me, Draco added in his mind contemptuously, but nevertheless he felt…flattered? That she kissed his broken nose? He self-consciously touched the nose, glad that it hadn't broken.

Ginny was very different from Colette. Draco had noticed that from the start. In beauty, perhaps Colette surpassed Ginny, but only because of her expensive French cosmetics. Draco had seen his fiancée without the tons of makeup, and he had to say that in her pure way, Ginny was somehow more attractive. Not that it matters much, her being a Weasley, Draco shook his head. What a waste! On some penniless person!

And speaking of money…Draco could almost drool, imagining the mounds and heaps of Galleons for himself. All of Colette's inheritance would be shared by him as soon as they are wedded. With amusement he imagined himself in a room full of those gold coins, jumping in and flinging around like the man on television. Ah, the joy of having money. At that decided the matter right then and there. No matter how good a kisser Ginny could be—after all, she did manage to seduce him once, didn't she?—and no matter how attractive she could be if she tried, there was no way he was going to trade all that money for…for what?

That was it. Ginny Weasley and her daughter had nothing to offer him but a long life of poverty in a stupid house.

Yet…Draco ignored the pestering little voice that answered his question. 'For a cozy little home in which you could go home to,' said the voice matter-of-factly. 'A "stupid house" like the Burrow, as you always say, but always brimming with happiness. And never so quiet that you had to resort to television programs you don't even understand to fill in the silence, because you will be reading bedtime stories to your daughter and joking with Ginny.'

"Bah!" said Draco, rolling his eyes as he blocked out the voice. "Reading bedtime stories? JOKING? I'd rather be counting my golden coins and insulting Muggles and Mudbloods."

Just at the moment, an owl flew in and landed in front of him, a letter clamped in its beak. Draco knew it had to be Virginia, setting up another date so she could seduce him. He almost pitied her. He never fell for a girl. He never needed to. Girls fall all over him. And while Colette was sedately beautiful, what really attracted him about her was—what else?—the money.

He read the note aloud.

"'Draco Augustus Malfoy, or DAM, I'd like to set up another date with you, in the same café, tomorrow noon. By the way, if you don't want to starve, eat before you come. Virginia Elizabeth Weasley.'"

With a start, Draco suddenly realized that the name he'd picked for himself indeed gave him the initials of DAM. What kind of a thought is THAT? he thought in annoyance, shredding the letter and flinging them into the enchanted fireplace. A Malfoy would never keep any artifact of a Weasley within his house.

~*~

"He will come in," Ginny recited quietly to herself sitting at another rather concealed café table. "I will smile enigmatically till he sits in front of me, and we will dreamily gaze into each other's eyes till we kiss. And then he's going to propose to me."

She smiled stupidly as a waitress, who obviously understands English, passed by, giving her a weird look that clearly said "you are mental". And Ginny had to agree. Really, what are the chances of that scenario happening? First of all, she still hadn't gotten her smiling license from Cho, who sometimes during her visits entertained Molly by teaching Ginny to smile. As Cho always said, Asian women use subtlety to achieve their goal. Whatever that means. And dreamily gaze into each other's eyes? Ginny snorted at that. That was as likely as Snape dancing in pink boas. In pink boas Only, I should add, Ginny thought with a stifled grin, earning another weird look from the same waitress. And the proposal? More like the other way around, if Ginny had the guts. Which she doesn't.

While Ginny was thinking all these stuffs, Draco had entered the café, and this time he spotted Ginny sooner. She was wearing a green top over a darker green skirt, another one of Ginny's favorite outfits. She looked up just as Draco took a seat in front of her. A waitress passed, and to show off his French skills, when a waiter came to wait on them, Draco started to say, "Je…er…veux…du café…"

The waiter blinked. "Je-er?" he repeated.

Ginny started to laugh, although she wasn't sure what was so funny. To her, whatever came out of Draco's mouth sounded like French to her. Still, she liked to see the ever so arrogant being in such a flustered state. Gasping between bouts of laughter, she spoke in English, since most French people understood it. "I'd like some coffee, if you please," she said, very sweetly.

"Me too!" burst out Draco, and the waiter just shook his head as he took the orders.

When the waiter left, Draco gave Ginny a death glare. "Weasley, if you don't want your head to flame up, don't you dare say a word!" he hissed, as Ginny turned purple from suppressing her laughter. "I was just testing to see what you would do in a tight spot."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" she said innocently.

"All right. I have an hour to spare before I go back to business. So, Miss Virginia Elizabeth Weasley—and I figured out that your initials are VEW—try and seduce me."

Ginny stopped smiling, and almost cursed herself for the action because Draco instantly smirked. He must thought that he'd won, Ginny thought, trying to think of something to do. He must think that I don't know what I'll do to seduce him this time…and I don't.

Before she knew it, she grabbed Draco by the shoulder and pulled him toward her, like she'd used to do to the twins when they turned her hair purple.

Draco's smirk didn't falter, another Malfoy trait perhaps, but there was something in his eyes that could be described as surprise mixed with fear. Ginny stared at his gray eyes for a long moment. She wasn't sure of why she'd done that anymore. Dimly she was aware that she was supposed to seduce him, and as her eyes traveled down to his lips, she did the only logical thing to do.

She kissed him.

On the mouth…or lips.

And somewhere in her mind, Ginny understood why she'd kissed Draco that night six years ago. It felt…good. She'd never kissed a lot of boys, but Draco got the most perfect lips. Very kissable. They were somewhat cold, quite like his personality, but Ginny could only imagine how they feel like when the fires of passion aroused them. She wasn't aware that it was Draco anymore. She was only aware that she wouldn't mind letting her lips stay welded there forever.

To Ginny's own surprise, she had put her arms around him, her lips responding to the kiss in a way she'd never imagined herself capable of. She was kissing him with all her force. And she got a greater surprise when she felt Draco's arms grab her arms, kissing her back. Now Ginny knew why her mother had always warned her against kissing. When it started, she could not stop, no matter how much her mind willed her to. Draco held her closer too, the kiss going on for a long time. No longer was Ginny aware that it was merely a kiss, a kiss that should be seducing and not necessarily passionate; oh, it felt just like it should when kissing Harry…it felt just as passionate as her kissing Harry in her best dreams…

"Ahem…"

The voice jotted the two back to the café. People around them were staring with their mouths open as Ginny and Draco realized who exactly they were kissing. Arms still around each other, they stared at each other, and with an identical "WHAT THE FUCK?" they fell back to their seats. Ginny could've sworn that she could cook an egg on her face, it was flaming.

Who spoke was the waiter, with their drinks. He smiled as he placed the drinks in front of them. "You two must really be in love," he said ironically. "Is this your first date?"

Blushing furiously still, Ginny shook her head wildly. "No…no…we aren't going out or anything…"

An older couple at the adjacent table laughed appreciatively at Ginny's words. "You are embarrassed, chérie," the woman said, chuckling. "This is exactly what I'd said on my first date too, and look at Jacques and I now! We're still in love, celebrating our thirtieth anniversary right now. Believe me, I know; you and this young man will make a perfect couple."

If only they know, Ginny thought, drinking her coffee more violently than she'd intended. She was quiet, and so was Draco. She didn't know what Draco was thinking, but she was reliving the kiss. It probably meant nothing for Draco, but…for a girl who'd never kissed much, that moment felt like heaven. The passion. The sensation. It was too bad that it had to be Draco, but it was exactly what she'd always wanted to feel when she was kissing Harry. It was fiery. Wet. Everything she could've hoped for.

On the wrong person.

And the next sentence Draco spoke only reinforced it.

"Don't put what those old morons said in your head, Ginny Weasley!" he said very icily, his gray eyes flashing. "A perfect couple my ass! You'll make a perfect couple with the hunchback of Notre Dame! A Malfoy has better taste than…you! And if you think I kissing you back is a sign of anything, don't even think of it. Really, work on your seduction skills and then try! A waste of both your time and mine!"

Ginny was humiliated. "You shut up!" she retorted. "Do you really think you're all that attractive? Please, don't let your Hogwarts experience get into your head, DAM!"

"Don't call me that! VEW!"

"Shut up! Just because all of these brainless gals were chasing after you, not caring that you could throw any insult at them, doesn't mean that I have no pride of my own! Do you really think you're all that handsome?"

"Yes."

Ginny was taken aback at the remark, but she rolled her eyes. She was, after all, talking to an accursed Malfoy! "Well, you aren't! You…you are this obnoxious Slytherin!"

"And what does THAT make you? And I believe we're getting off the point, you Knut-less creep! Who do you think you are? You're just some girl with carroty hair who grew up with six siblings who are just as poor as you and just as brainless shall I add and two stupid parents-"

"Don't you dare insult my family! And what about yours? At least I have some people to call my family! Your family is six feet under, and then some!"

"Family? Not anymore, do you? You can't fool me!"

By this time, both were heating up in light of the argument, and once again people were staring at them. Thankfully, not that many people understood English, but enough was said to show that those two were squabbling furiously. While translating their arguments, the couple added their own comments about young people furiously in love. "I was like that once with Marianne," said Jacques proudly.

How dare he insult my family! And to think…I actually was able to pretend that he's Harry when we're kissing! "All because of you…you damn…you damn FERRET!" Ginny had stood up then, her face livid. She was surprised to see that Draco had even backed away a little. Good, you should be scared, she thought with satisfaction. For once, Ginny was proud of her capricious Weasley temper. "Shall I advertise that you were turned into a ferret back when you're fourteen? You can't even shoot a spell at Harry straight!"

"Well, I'm not the one trying to shag him!"

"Oh please. So what? At least I can do that. You…well, I can only imagine the headlines when you and Harry start walking hand in hand, and when you start trying to strip him!" Sorry, Harry. I really didn't mean to degrade you, but this is a valuable verbal weapon.

"Give it a rest!" shouted Draco, slamming a fist on the table. "Going back—let me list the flaws of your kiss—"

"I wasn't aware there was any, honey," said Ginny with a sarcastic accentuation on the last word. "However, I am aware that you happened to kiss me back! And you happened to look like you enjoyed it. Let me list your flaws for you, shall I? I don't kiss you because of your beautiful little face! I'm not Pansy Parkinson reborn!"

"Prove it!"

Both were now panting heavily. The café manager was coming out, just inches from telling them to get the hell out of this place, when Ginny suddenly had a stroke of inspiration. Some random movement that would fit this random argument perfectly.

She leaned over and engaged Draco in another kiss.

~*~

Draco didn't know why he was so furious at Ginny. All he knew was that somehow his Malfoy pride was damaged. For Slytherin's snake's sake! He'd kissed that Weasley back! And the scary part was that…he wanted to.

Now he remembered why what happened happened back six years. Ginny was, whether she knew it or not, probably not being a Weasley added Draco silently, undoubtedly a good kisser. He kissed her back however, not because of how attractive she was, but because of how different from Colette it had felt. It felt…passionate. Colette's kisses were businesslike. Something like "I'm marrying you and we're having children sooner or later so let's start practicing sex and the art of making out." No, Ginny's kisses didn't feel like that at all. She was like… "I want you to love me…and you will soon enough."

No…her kisses aren't well at all…this is Virginia Weasley we're talking about! How could anything of hers be good? It's only because in comparison with Colette…

Draco didn't understand what he was talking about. One moment he was waiting with a prepared smirk for Ginny's reaction and the next moment…they were kissing again.

With her warm, soft lips against his own cold ones, Draco couldn't think anymore. He vowed to not respond, but as Ginny's arms went around him, as the scent of apple shampoo overtook him, his brain completely shut down. He was aware of the fact that he wanted to kiss her…he wanted to kiss her madly…and that only. He forgot that the woman in his arms is Ginny Weasley; she was an angel…someone he want to hold in his arms…someone whom he was going to return the fiery passion of the kiss...

His arms went around hers, pulling her closer to him. When was the last time that he had felt this? Pansy Parkinson? No, her kisses were far too…kissy. They were just like a prologue of the real intention: stripping. Blaise Zabini? No, she only kissed him to appear popular. Wow, I kissed Draco Malfoy sort of thing. The best kisser he'd encountered so far was Colette, but as he'd always noticed…her kisses were not as satisfying.

He pulled Ginny closer in his arms. A very un-Malfoy-ish thought plagued him that he wanted the kiss to never end. He wanted this sensation to last forever…thrilling…but finally, Ginny pulled away. Draco felt strangely disappointed, but he realized that he needed to breath too.

Near him, he could hear the couple thinking "I told you guys so!"

I KISSED GINNY WEASLEY BACK A SECOND TIME! When back in his right mind again, Draco realized. He stared at the young woman in front of him in Malfoy horror, realizing her identity with a nasty shock for the second time, and though she was looking quite embarrassed she looked triumphant.

"I believe I proved my point, DAM," she said.

Expertly, he turned his expression into that of a sneer. "Sure you did," he said scathingly. "I so am convinced that you're right."

Ginny merely smiled. She saw through the act. Both had now sat back down to finish their coffee. And, instead of kicking them out of the restaurant, the manager came and congratulated them in a long torrent of French words, which the only words Draco caught was amour. People around them started sending them secretive glances.

"Quelle romantique!" he heard Marianne say quite loudly. Draco heaved in a sigh. Who said the French were private? He demanded to nobody in particular.

When each had drained their coffee, Ginny and Draco stood up to go. Ginny paid the bill this time. Before they left, Draco hissed, "You haven't won yet. And you never will. Give it up."

"I can see that what you're thinking is quite different," Ginny said softly. She stepped closer to him. Draco inhaled richly of the special essence only Ginny Weasley could radiate. He squashed the thought that perhaps he'd like another kiss. "Tomorrow, same time."

"Go ahead. I'm all arms. Let's see just what you can do."

"Oh please. As if it isn't an excruciating experience trying to kiss you," snapped Ginny back, but her cheeks were rosy again.

Draco snorted. "Tell you what? If you give up this ridiculous idea, I'll invite you to my wedding to show you what real fineries are like."

"Oh for goodness' sakes, do you want me to throw up again?"

When Ginny was well out of sight, Draco realized that he had been sweating profusely. His hour wasn't even half used up, yet those two kisses felt like eternities. If only Colette could kiss like that, he thought. Too bad it had to be some poverty-stricken Weasley. As Draco unwillingly savored the sensation of the kisses again, he decided that he should get Colette some apple scented shampoo.

Draco huffily left the café, for some reason extremely angry.

A/N: Not very thrilled with the characterization for some reason. But I know that if I don't get another chapter up I may just leave this story to die…=P

Okay…note that Ginny kissed Draco because she'd always dreamt of the way he'd kissed back and Draco kissed her back because Colette doesn't kiss that passionately. So basically, now they like each other's kisses, but then again, they've always did. How else was Molly conceived?

Now, the café people's reactions: I don't know if people actually act like that, esp. in France, but I thought it was interesting. Something like when they're seventy Ginny'll be like "remember that time when the old lady said we'll be together and you didn't believe her?" and then Draco say something in return.

Je veux du café-I want some coffee. (note: Draco used veux instead of voudrais because he's impolite and Malfoys don't use their manners to waiters…)

Amour-love

Quelle romantique-how romantic (not sure about this one)

Correct me…and…

Review! I promise to update faster. So far the feedback has been the most for this one *hugs reviewers*, so if I can finish only one fiction by the time book five comes out rest assured that it's most definitely this one. Oh yeah, by the way, should this fic remain Romance/General or should I change the second genre? There will be action later on, but not a lot, and I don't know if this qualifies to be a romantic comedy…anyway, just wondering.

To my readers of my H/Hr romances: I'll get the other two done too, by hook or by crook! *gangster move*

~Katrina

Thank you immensely:

libby-lol cool coincidence. Jane-Ginny will win, no worries! GLow-glad you do. Goldenstar555-I feel special now! And you're so lucky! The reason I took French is because I want to go there one day. Jocelyn Padoga-thanks! (I say that to you a lot don't I?) Always looking forward to your reviews. ^^ jane_valar-You like the shampoo part too! =) KiSStHiSx86-wow thanks! Don't worry I'm snowed in too, which is why I actually got to write this chapter during my vacation. Reven Eid-*grins* thanks! nc-kat2002-thanks! RenDeviL-you do? Cool! Anyway I don't know what you mean by action, but there will be action, as it's going to have more action to er…promote the romance. depth-hehe thanks! frananddragon-um Hermione suggested meeting him (Harry's clueless about the whole thing) but Ginny couldn't seduce him the way Hermione envisioned it. I have no boyfriend either-which is why I'm gonna seduce my crush! =P NiMiBabe-I'm really happy you like it. I thought I was going to get flamed for that. Dannie7-he will soon, promise! Crystal-thanks-for both the comment and then ç thingy. Redmeadow-I don't think I mentioned the age. I guess Ginny's around 24 and Draco's 25…so basically everyone's how old they'll be ten years from the fifth book. Oo I can do math! Baby-^^ CelticGoddess81-now he kinda has an idea…after the kisses. Louisa Potter-that'll come a bit later, but remember he's got a soft spot for his daughter! blazefury-oh thanks-about the humor-and I love Draco too! That's why I let him pair up with my dear Ginny. Missy-thanks! *dazed at the word awesome* =D latrisha-I tried to update as soon as I can! Now you see the five! ^^ digi-rain-thanks! And don't worry about criticisms-they help me and I appreciate them a lot. tricklingdust-*nods* miss-talkative-of course it's okay! Colette is going to be in later chapter to get jealous and vengeful as Ginny seduces Draco. Rebuky-I try! xangelcrisisx-I hope you feel better. Sydney Lynne-yep yep but Draco still wants Colette's money! meLisSa-I will! I think this chapter is pretty quick…*hopeful smile* Ditzy Spacecadets-noo! Not my Harry! I will update! *writes frantically* Sakura1287-I'm very glad you don't find the story that clichéd. Oh and you're right-you are supposed to hate Colette! =) Fire and Night-I try to, but I don't want to end up with a stinky chapter to disappoint the readers/reviewers. Sorry if you have to wait long. MYSTIQUE-*blushes* I'll take that as a compliment! =P xo-roxynsyncgrl-ox-by the way, I'm sorry I didn't email you, but I couldn't load your profile for some reason. Anyway, I like the name Colette too, which is why I used it…on the wrong person. Lol, don't worry, Draco and Ginny WILL have feelings! FieryWildChild-I'll update! =D don't go mad! MagicGirl2-wow thanks! Lindsey-I'm glad you like it regardless of the ship. LegoMyEggo-hey I tried to make her as upset as I can! J/K. I'll try to make her a lot meaner if you want! Oh, my French sucks, but I thought it's a good place to practice its suckiness. LOL. littleredfruit-thanks, and thanks again for forgiving me! I promise it won't happen again…not to you at least! I'm really forgetful. ForceMuette-but then Hermione will be the guy…and I know you from my p.n. SunLight! *waves* MelissaAdams-don't die on me! =D Deatomaru-I'm glad you like the story, and really? Maybe there are two ways of saying shut up…*contemplative* Neko-youkai-oh thanks for the compliment! ^^ Ashley-thanks, but I simply can't make Ginny's Draco very evil. piper-h-99-hmmm of course I will! Flatter by your review. HarryPotterFanFicGirl-oh no! I didn't mean for her to be hateful. She's my favorite character too! Next to Harry, of course. I ship H/Hr to pieces, way over H/G, explaining why Ginny didn't marry Harry. On your second comment: you're right, but I don't know what I was thinking then. I *tried* to edit it, but I'm thinking that Hermione will be more sympathetic to this than Ron.

Okay…if you reviewed…and your name isn't there, tell me. And on email updates: I tend to miss some readers, given my amnesiac condition.