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

A/N: I apologize for the delayed update. I have lame excuses which you won't buy…soo…. Anyway, I just hope that it was worth the wait!

Bride of a Dragon

By: Katrina

Budding Uncertainty

Ginny knew that somehow, in some way, Draco must be affected by the two kisses.

Even if he didn't show it.

Even if he covered it up with his usual sneers and leers.

Even if he acted as if nothing had happened, just a poverty-stricken girl trying to seduce him.

Ginny knew Draco too well, from Ron's thorough description and Harry's occasional comment. If he were the Malfoy that had tormented those two boys, then he would've at least cursed Ginny for kissing him on the lips. Not once, but twice. After all, he was an engaged man, about to be married. She knew that if he were the Malfoy she'd heard of, he wouldn't have just made his snide remarks.

He would've at least cursed her.

But he didn't. There could be only two explanations, as far as Ginny could gauge, for this. Either he enjoyed those kisses or he was somehow redeemed.

As impossible as both were, Ginny had to say that the first one was more likely. And she was pleased with herself. At least she knew how to do something right. And she was surprised with herself as well. She didn't think she'd be able to kiss him right then and there. But it was worth it, for Draco kissed her back both times. Ginny wouldn't have been surprised if he'd kissed her back the first time and then pushed her away the second time, but no, he kissed her back even more fiercely the second time. Weasley or not, Draco Malfoy actually kissed her back. Ginny smiled slightly. She might be able to do this after all.

But could she be seduced at the same time as well? Ginny frowned at the strange thought that had flown into her mind. Could I? Well, true, she did kiss him, but for two reasons. One, she was, after all, supposed to do these things during seduction sessions, and two, she wanted to feel the sensation she would never be able to feel with Harry Potter. Those reasons were totally normal.

However, Ginny felt something when Draco was so close to her. Nothing like the jot of electricity whenever Harry accidentally touched her hand or spoke to her with that lovely grin of his, but something all the same. It was one of those pleasant sensations that a girl wants to savor during nighttimes. Also, when he pulled her close to deepen the kiss, Ginny felt somewhat safe in his arms. Imagine the irony. Me safe in Malfoy's arms? Ginny thought, shaking her head. I'm really losing it. I'm probably just nervous.

Besides, she wasn't supposed to be seduced. Speaking of which, Ginny had another date with Draco the next day. One of these days, she was going to get tired of those café dates. It was time to think of something else. Meanwhile…Ginny closed her eyes, willing herself to think that it had been Harry her arms were around.

And it wasn't hard. Not at all.

~*~

"Draco, what's with that goofy smirk on your face?" asked Draco's rich and beautiful fiancée, her blue eyes skeptical and not a bit amused at her fiancé's un-Malfoy (or Augustus) like face.

Huh? Draco snapped out of his daily reveries, when the boringness of the job got to him to cause him to think about all kinds of things. Things he normally would not be thinking about. For example, Ginny Weasley. He was still seething about his response, and hoped that Ginny wouldn't think that he was buckling to her. With less than four weeks to his wedding, what was the chance of him changing his mind again? Here I go again. Draco looked at Colette, her eyebrow perfectly arched, and forced the goofy grin back to a Malfoy smirk. "I was just thinking about you," he said smoothly.

It always worked. Colette smiled. "I thought so," she said. "And you better, honey. You didn't forget that you promised to take me shopping for the wedding today, did you?" Draco groaned. Quickly, Colette added, "This time, I'm charging it into my Augustus bank account, all right?"

Money wasn't such a big issues, but with women and their shoppings…hell, Colette even beat his own mother, Narcissa the Queen of Boring Shopping Expeditions, at the complete pointlessness of going to those wizarding malls. While Narcissa Malfoy bargained for even half a Knut, Colette was just…Colette. She just had to visit every store to make sure that the bottle of perfume she has is at a reasonable price, smells okay, and she tries on every available bottle till she was satisfied. Of course, she also asked for lots of opinions…namely, from Draco.

Now, the salespeople don't care as much as Draco. Colette always pays tips after those unnecessary measure. And anyway, they didn't have to endure this madwoman spraying every single kind of perfume in their nostrils while asking for their opinions, when all the victim wanted to do was trying to free his brain of this sickly, sweet smell. No, that was Draco's job.

It would be no surprise to reveal that Draco hated those shopping sprees as much as Snape loathed Potter.

Perhaps I should seduce her into not going, Draco thought, and he edged to the young woman, putting his arms around her. For some reason, it didn't feel as fulfilling as it should. Colette's silk blouse somehow ruined the whole effect. "Honey…what do you need to buy?" he asked.

"Don't even try, Draco," said Colette, sounding very annoyed. "I need to fit my wedding gown again. I must've gained or lost another two pounds or so, because this blouse just didn't feel right anymore. Which means that I need to readjust my veil."

"Which means we need to reorder the flowers, again?" Draco gaped at Colette. "Wouldn't your cousins get tired of having to try on the bridesmaids' dresses?"

Colette raised an eyebrow at Draco. "Why would they?" she asked, and Draco quickly reminded himself that it was Colette's relatives they were talking about. "I also need more jewelries and perfume." Draco winced. "And mm…some bathroom amenities…soap and shampoo…and of course, I need nightgowns and towels."

There was no point in arguing. Draco grudgingly Apparated with Colette to one of the largest French shopping mall, for the wizards of course, called Les Femmes Heureuses. It lives up to its name, Draco thought every time when Colette dragged him shopping with her. The Happy Women. They really should add The Unhappy Men as a subtitle or something. But then again, he reminded himself as he spotted a Parisian wizard and his girlfriend laughing over some inside joke, not everybody had to shop with some demanding woman like Colette. There was one good thing about this particular mall: Colette usually stays in the mall when trying on products. At least Draco's feet were saved.

As Colette modeled her dresses in front of him, Draco was surprised that he was imagining a redhead in the same wedding dress Colette would wear. A redhead would look rather nice in a pale blue gown, with a dragon-pendant necklace around her neck, he thought absently, watching Colette critically stare at herself in a pink gown. Then she could hold those pink carnations and that's going to be a pretty sight. He snapped himself out of it quickly. The monotonous shopping was apparently getting to him. He couldn't help wondering, however, if Ginny shops like this.

He hoped not, although he wasn't sure why. Perhaps he was just taking a mental survey. Just thinking if every girl he knew shops like Colette.

When Colette was finally done with the gown, the veil, accompanying jewelries, and thankfully the flowers, Draco found himself in the perfume shop, having to sniff the horrible perfume again. He didn't really care before, but when Colette edged up to him for a kiss, all he could think about was the horrible perfume snaking up his nose instead of how the kiss felt.

Not that it felt very nice…

Draco found himself comparing Colette to Ginny. He wondered if it was possible for Colette to take kissing lessons from Ginny. My ancestors are probably turning in their graves that I'm thinking those stupid thoughts, he thought with a snort.

But nonetheless, Ginny's smell of apple-scented shampoo must've done something to him. For, as Colette tried to choose between two bars of soap, both having the same weird smell as the perfumes and colognes, he edged away from the section of the store selling products marked One Thousand Galleons or More-special effects! to the section with a huge banner saying Bargains-Ten Galleons or Less! With a smirk, he thought that this was probably where the Weasleys shopped. Instead of heading back to where Colette was, however, he went searching through the shelves till he stopped at the shampoo section, his excuse being that imaging how poor people lived was rather amusing. Those shampoos emitted a nice, naturally sweet smell, so unlike the ones Colette buys, the same choking smell as the perfume. No, Draco could actually stand those. And these shampoos had no special effect like curling your hair or darkening the color or setting the fragrance into the hair (which Draco hated, when whenever he kissed Colette even her hair irritates his poor nose). Perfect for those poor deprived, Draco noted, but he did not smirk as he thought of how glossy a certain girl's flaming hair was by using this kind of shampoo.

His gray eyes scanned the many shampoos till Draco finally found the one he was looking for. One of the cheapest with apple-scented in flowing script over near the top.

~*~

Ginny was amused to see, at the next café meeting, that Draco was wearing a very weird expression, somewhat like dread. "Why the long face?" she asked brightly, ordering lemonade this time instead of coffee.

"For once, it isn't because of you," growled Draco. "Colette's coming to my mansion to spend the night." Ginny's heart nearly stopped. Spend the night? She went over the words with interest and dread herself. Draco continued. "If it's going to turn out like how it usually goes, I think I'd rather be camping out in this café here."

"Why? Isn't it every man's dream to have a sedately gorgeous beauty in their mansion, when they're alone?" taunted Ginny. "Especially when he's a Malfoy?"

Draco looked disgusted. "With my fiancée? You can't imagine how utterly pointless this is. It's supposed to make our married life better, but instead we just sit on the couch and drink champagne and watch Gone With The Wind or Titanic or some Muggle romance videos in the VCR she forced me to buy."

"I'm honored that you're telling me all these," Ginny said.

"Don't be," snapped Draco, annoyed. "I don't want to tell you all these, but who else can I talk to? My coffee?" He rolled his eyes. "Shows how desperate I am. So, go ahead, entertain me with another one of your stunts. And let me tell you this: I was not impressed with yesterday's…ah…demonstration."

Sure you aren't. Ginny thought. But she didn't plan to kiss him today. For a weird reason, she thought that she wouldn't kiss him unless…unless he make the first move. Which he wasn't going to.

"Molly wrote me today," said Ginny. "Want to read her letter?"

Draco shrugged. "Sure, why not?" he asked, taking the parchment Ginny offered him.

The letter Molly wrote was very simple. Molly, after all, couldn't very well write a long letter yet, but Ginny could imagine Draco's reaction when he saw Molly's simple line. Mommy, tell Daddy that he can kiss you if he wants to. She grinned when he saw Draco's reaction, a cross between what on earth is she talking about, me kissing Ginny Weasley? and How cute!

"Our daughter gave you permission," Ginny said lightly.

"Thanks, but no thanks," said Draco, giving the parchment back to her. "I'm sure Molly will learn to accept her father who's not married to her mother."

Ginny snorted, but she wisely decided not to make a crack at it. She should just make normal conversation…but…. What do I talk about with my brothers? She wondered frantically. With Bill…how interesting Egypt is. With Charlie…the dragons. With Percy…cauldron bottoms. With Fred and George…pranking. And with Ron…Quidditch. That's it. Quidditch. Wasn't Draco a Seeker? "Did you know that the Chudley Cannons got better in the years that you were gone?" she said. "And that we were second to last in the last World Cup?"

"Colette isn't a Quidditch fan."

"So basically, your life revolves around her? Don't you have any say for yourself?" Okay, this didn't go like what usually would've gone, but at least Ginny was making conversation with Draco. Besides, she really did feel the same way. The arrogant creep was just a puddle of jelly where his fiancée was concerned. "Where's that egoistic idiot my brother always talked about?"

Draco didn't bother to answer. Ginny was tired of this. "You don't even love her, Draco Malfoy, and you're marrying her."

"I told you, I don't love you any more than I love her!"

"Anymore? Does that mean you've loved me before?"

"You know perfectly well what I mean."

"That's exactly my point, Draco! You don't know me. You've never known me before. You've never given me a chance. This isn't the first time that a girl tries to seduce you, is it? But with Colette, it must've been the first time when you had to seduce her. For her money. You'll come to regret it."

This is the perfect time, Ginny realized when Draco's stoic face showed…something. She was never good at reading people's faces, except for Ron's too obvious ones, but she could understand enough that Draco perhaps…took in some of what she said? "Without the issue of money," she said softly, "would you pick me over Colette? If I'm just as rich as she is?"

She didn't wait for him to answer. She smacked away her promise that he should initiate the kiss. Ginny embraced Draco and kissed him on the lips.

But it was quick. Ginny didn't want Draco to pull away. But as she tried to pull away, Draco pulled her in and started kissing her hungrily, as if he'd never kissed before. His tongue gently traced over her lips till she opened up her lips to him, and then Ginny just forgot herself. As soon as she felt his arms around her, all she knew was that she didn't want this kiss to end. It was addictive. She closed her eyes, enjoying this, as Draco's lips traveled down to her neck, sending a trail of raw passion, his hands caressing her back. Unwillingly, though, Ginny ended this. She has no intention of creating another sibling for Molly in this café.

"Ahem," she said, pulling away a second time.

Draco's arms slowly let go. "No."

Ginny stared at him. NO? As in he doesn't want me to go? As in he wants to continue kissing? As in he wants me?

"No as in I would still pick Colette over you," Draco said, but his tone, although icy and cutting, wavered a little. "She is prettier. She is better."

However, Ginny caught the quiver in his tone. "As in what? We've gone over this before, Draco, and you know perfectly well what she can offer you and what she can't. I'm doing this not because I want you to love me, but because you owe Molly and I a chance."

Draco's eyes narrowed as he paid the bill. "It'll only be wasted, because you have nothing to offer me," he hissed defensively.

Ginny calmly collected her stuff. "Oh?" she said. "I'm sure you think differently when you're kissing, then, because the way you were carrying on, I was sure that I do have something to offer you." Draco stiffened and his eyes narrowed even more, till they were merely gray slits.

"What is your point?" he growled.

"Meet me at my place tomorrow and you'll know," replied Ginny. "Aren't you going to kiss me? Remember, our daughter did give you permission."

She was surprised when Draco leaned over and kissed her. Ungratefully. Dispassionately. Briefly.

Yet Ginny sensed reluctance as he pulled away to go back to the Malfoy Mansion.

~*~

Colette was already waiting when Draco got home. She was already watching the movie Titanic again, while she sprayed the whole room with her perfume. Draco tried not to wrinkle his nose as he sat down next to her. Since it was playing Jack and Rose kissing on the screen, Colette turned toward him and placed her lips on hers, leaning against him to deepen it.

Instead of enjoying it, like he usually forced himself to do, Draco found himself put off by the kiss. All he could think of was that Colette smelled like the perfume she wears. The smell that irritated him. Her lips were slippery with all the lipstick she smeared on, cold and slimy. He wondered how he'd ever put up with it before, as he forced himself to kiss her back, to have his hands caress her back as they did with Ginny.

But with Ginny, Draco just did it. It seemed natural to do. With Colette…Draco wasn't sure. She wasn't passionate. She was probably kissing him just for the fun of it, or just for practice for when they were married. Why don't I feel the same way with her? Draco wanted to know. Do I really love her? He knew that he probably didn't right now, but he would learn to.

Looking at the screen, he thought about the movie Colette had been watching. Rose…and Jack…and their stunning love story. Rose was engaged to her fiancé, whom she didn't necessarily love, only for the money. Dumb as it was, Draco envisioned himself in Rose's place. And Colette was of course, the fiancé. And Ginny…was she Jack? Was she the poor boy who got on the ship by merely winning a hand of poker, yet who managed to save Rose's life and introduced her to a world she'd never known, the boy who eventually gave up his life so his beloved could live? Could Draco be like Rose? This is utterly stupid! Draco told himself.

Wasn't it?

And then, Draco thought over Ginny's words earlier. 'Without the issue of money, will you pick me over Colette?'

Draco knew that with money, he'd definitely pick Colette over Ginny. Hell, if some female tramp comes along with more money than Colette than he might ditch his fiancée for her too. But without money? What was Colette without all her money, without her title as the heiress to the Atort legacy? A stunning beauty with a horrible temper. A horrible kisser. A picky shopper. But Ginny? She was not that much uglier than Colette, and her Weasley temper was not as unreasonable as Colette's. She's a Weasley, and that's all that matters, Draco reminded himself. What does she have to offer me? And he remembered what the voice in his head had said. A nice, cozy home to return to. Draco could snort at this. Would he exchange all the fineries he'd gain just for some "cozy home"?

Would I?

A/N: Shorter chapter! ^^ Colette's suspicious now…well…I guess you know what this means right? I hope not, because I want surprise you!

Review please. I want to know if you think my D/G parts are okay so far. Please be honest and give me c/c if I deserve some so I could improve! Thanks!

~Katrina

Thank you immensely:

Crystal-I'm glad you loved it! Jocelyn Padoga-Colette won't get a guy as sexy as Draco! ^^ Ginny will get him…somehow. FieryWildChild-oh thanks! LoL on the wig part…that just cracked me up—I mean it in a good way! Fire and Night-really? Cool! Oh, on email updates-I tried to load your profile but it didn't work. You're added, no worries. LegoMyEggo-thanks for the encouragement! Eternal Queen-=D thanks! Fernanda-I'm sure you have an effect on your beloved. Boys…sometimes a bit slow. Anyway, Molly will come back in a few chapters. She's away for now for plot developments. IAMVulcanLady-I'm flattered you like this even though you aren't a D/G shipper! *grins* Thanks for the French thing. An excuse for not changing it! WindWalker-wow thanks. Jenn-I will, and thank you for the compliment. xo-roxynsyncgrl-ox-thank you so much! And I'm glad you forgave me. I think I added you now…right? *hopeful* Anh D-ao-thank you for the French lesson-my French teacher couldn't have done better! Very happy that you think the story is "really good" (don't I just sound so vain?) meLisSa-with all you wonderful reviewers how could I leave this fic to die? *hugs to all* London-oh are you serious? Oh my, that's like one of the greatest compliment to my writing EVER! I had no idea that I gave you butterflies. Wow thanks for making me feel so special. chiLLz-I don't have huge gaps between updating, usually weekly. No worries! =) Mlle Rogue-I'll correct it after the fic's done and I'm editing the whole thing. Thanks for the French and the comment! frananddragon-Ginny is friends with Cho because I'm a R/C shipper and I thought they COULD be friends…=P Thanks for your wonderful comments, and I'll try my hardest to make the next chapter better. MelissaAdams-*grins* of course I'll write more to hear my flatteries! I'm joking, but it's always nice to please people. Sakura1287-I'm flattered to know that you think this can fill the place of your old favorite story. Whether or not I'll accomplish it, I hope you'll enjoy this fic. goldenstar555-hey thanks! Missy-oh my! I'm like so lightheaded now! So happy! miss-talkative-thanks for the comment and the offer. I usually am too paranoid to take in a beta, and I don't have enough time to write/email this to beta and then post for this fic. Should I need one later, I'll keep you in mind. Thank you tremendously for the offer though. enoimreh-thank you! depth-gee thanks! Cytheria-sure I'll email you. Thanks for reviewing. MagicGirl2-ooh thanks! jane-valar-thanks! I like it when people tell me that this fic isn't angst-ridden, because I prefer happier romances! angelic_pen-as you wish! Ditzy Spacecadets-I missed you (reviews or email)? I'm pretty sure I replied to your review. Check again, and if it isn't there, feel free to hit me on the head! lily-hey there! Thanks for the compliments, and it's okay if it takes you long to review. August-*blushes* thanks! CherryMintChocolates-I guess you're right, but then again, D/G (as perfect as it is *sighs dreamily*) isn't likely itself, so you know…the story doesn't HAVE to make sense…^^ bynkee-sad? Really? No offense…but how? Enter the Red Age-oh yeah, I created Colette for this story. I dunno, but people told me that the Weasleys' reactions are bad, but as of now I can't think of a way to better it, so I'm just leaving it be. I'm glad H/Hr is semi-okay, because I'm crazy about that ship! Oh…French from the Loire region REALLY do that? But I thought that's the place where all the chateaus are…ignore me, I don't know that much about France. I read your story. It's pretty fun! Lianat87-you flatter me! =D Dracos-girl-now I won't let it die, thanks to your enthusiastic support! PhoenixRae-aww thank you very much! Bella O-you are becoming addicted? Hehe mission accomplished! Thanks for the support. Gabie-wow thanks! The part with Colette and Draco is a classic? *flattered* I'm really happy you like it, and I hope I won't disappoint! I'll try to update faster, but you know, sometimes my chapters end up bad. Jaded*Secrets-thank you! OpalKoboi-I forgot you? Oh man! Wait…can you check again? I'm so sorry if I did, but this time I didn't forget you! SugarGirl-thanks!

If you reviewed and your name isn't here, then tell me or murder me or both. Also, on email updates, I tend to miss people sometimes, but don't take it personally! Sometimes I go over my mailing list to make sure everyone's there.