Disclaimer: All belongs to J.K Rowling minus the plot and a few things here and there

Chapter 9. While You Were Away

By the time Ginny arrived at Malfoy Manor, she was in a wickedly foul mood. The manor was in an uproar, people that Ginny had never seen before milling around, taking measurements and notes and such, but none that lessened the conflict of feelings boiling in her stomach.

The ride there had given her plenty time to contemplate the surplus of problems in her life, none of which had solutions she could think of for the time being. She was beginning to feel guilty for overreacting on Harry and Hermione, and a large chunk of that guilt turned into anger. It was all Malfoy's fault, she thought bitterly, he was the root of her problems.

She stormed through the masses, her eyes scanning the halls for the blond Slytherin. Part of her yearned to see him, as a shouting match with Malfoy always did appease her in the strangest way. It gave her some satisfaction to take her anger out on someone, and anyone but him would have earned her one less friend, just like her explosion with Harry and Hermione probably did.

The people in the room eyed her curiously, obviously wondering why she was standing so defensively, hands clenched as she rolled back rhythmically on her heels. She ignored every one of them, not even bothering to wonder where they came from, her eyes focused for one thing and one thing only. She knew that letting her temper best her was most likely a disastrous idea at the moment, but it didn't matter to her. So many things were going wrong, and she just needed a scapegoat. See, I even admitted it, Ginny thought.

And then she spotted him.

Draco was giving orders near the bottom of the grand marble steps, and she could see him quite clearly through the open arch of the foyer. For nearly a minute she was immobile, watching the fluid movements of his legs as he moved gracefully from one table to another. "Damn he's beautiful," she whispered, unable to tear her eyes away from the sight of him.

Immediately, Ginny gasped. She had just called Draco beautiful, whats more, she had been admiring him, wanting him. Did she really need him as a punching bag, to spill the feelings she couldn't around Harry? Was this why her mind wandered constantly to him, even around her family? It couldn't be, Ginny thought, mind spinning. And then it struck her, a realization so devastating, so important, and so clear she lost feeling in her legs and had to seek refuge in a neighboring metal chair.

She had feelings for Draco Malfoy.

"Gods," Ginny breathed, clamping a hand over her mouth as if she'd spoken the morbid words aloud. She had been in denial ever since the blasted kiss that morning, even hoping that a home visit would knock some sense into her, but this, this was real and she had to face the music. That funny feeling in the pit of her belly didn't flop everytime she saw him because she wanted to kill him, it was actually somewhat related to what she used to feel around Harry. Only more raw, more intense, and always so brief.

"Why him?" She moaned, not noticing the strange stares she'd earned from those around her. It suddenly made sense to her now-the past few days, the touchiness around the subject of Blaise, even the slapping. The room had seemed to suddenly grow smaller, louder, and hotter, clouding Ginny's thoughts and stirring her emotions. There was only one thing to do, she reasoned, though logic was certainly not something floating in her mind, and that was to tell Malfoy what she thought of him, before she lost her train of thought.

Not even comprehending what her legs were doing, Ginny stood up and moved purposefully towards Draco. Though the throngs of people around her weaved past constantly, it was easy to spot her target: his magnificent blond hair shimmered under the lights and separated him from the crowd.

At that moment, Draco turned his head ever so slightly, almost like he sensed her stare, but his gaze swept right past her. Ginny sighed in relief, for what reason she was still unsure of, but continued her way towards him. His sharp silver eyes remained fixed in her direction, but never on her, causing her pounding heart to beat faster yet. She only had eyes for him, as in that moment it was like they were the only two people in the crowd. She stepped closer, and closer, and parted her lips to call his name.

And then a cold hand shot out and grabbed her arm.

"Adrienne?" She asked, startled by the panicking expression on the maid's face and her reverie finally interrupted.

"Oh my gods, Ginny," Adrienne cried, "Thank the heavens you're here."

"What's going on?" Ginny demanded, her eyes scanning the hall again, but Draco had already gone.

Adrienne sighed, exhausted. "You chose the worst week to leave," she said wryly, "At least, worst for us. Probably the best for you."

"I don't get it," Ginny said.

"Okay, you remember that wine Madame Malfoy wanted?" Adrienne began, running a hand through her limp tresses. "Well, since you fell down the stairs, she never got it, and the muggle family that would've gotten it weren't too pleased, and so now, now she's holding a muggle party."

Ginny's jaw dropped. "A muggle party?" she squeaked, all thoughts of Draco momentarily dislodged. "But the Malfoys despise muggles!"

Adrienne nodded. "I know. You didn't hear how much Madame Malfoy complained about having to actually let muggles into the manor, she wouldn't let up on it, I swear. Thus, she has refused to take part in the actual planning, nor will she even show up to the party."

"That's terrible!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Tell me about it," Adrienne replied. "But the upside is that since it's a muggle party, no prominent wizarding families are invited. You see, the Malfoys want to keep this a complete secret, and we, the servants, are invited to masquerade as rich guests."

Ginny frowned. "When's the party?"

"Not for another three weeks," Adrienne reassured, "But you know how elaborate these affairs can get. First the magical folk are taking care of decharming the manor, and then the muggle caterers have to come, and well, naturally it's going to be a while."

"Wait," Ginny stopped her, perplexed. "So we take care of this entire thing? We can plan it exactly how we want?"

"Well, no," Adrienne admitted, "Young Master Malfoy is observing the 'blessed event' and he's actually doing some of the planning."

Malfoy. Oh Gods, Ginny shuddered, remembering her intentions just seconds earlier. Had she actually felt something besides pure hatred for him-worse, was she actually planning to confess some silly spur-of-the- moment feelings to him? Was she actually going to claim that she slapped him out of-jealousy? The thought of it brought an aching pain to her temple, and she gripped the banister a little more tightly.

She looked at Adrienne graciously, a wave of shame and disgust rushing over her. "I'm so glad you stopped me," Ginny muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

"Oh me too," Adrienne agreed, "We really need some help here. Here, why don't you start with the floral arrangements."

As she talked, Ginny couldn't help but let her mind wander. I was going to tell Draco that I had feelings for him, she thought incredulously, I was going to walk up to that bloody git and tell him that.

"Ginny?" Adrienne ventured, snapping the younger girl away from her thoughts.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Ginny jolted, blushing vehemently.

"It's okay." Adrienne scrutinized the apologetic girl before her carefully. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes. No. Yes. Sort of."

She laughed. "Well you know, sometimes talking about it helps."

Ginny glanced at her supportive smile, and sighed deeply. "Guy trouble," she confessed. "There's this guy who I absolutely don't get along with but out of the blue one day we kind of," she paused, lowering her voice, "we kissed. I hate him, but now, I can't stop thinking about him."

"What's he like? Is he cute?" Adrienne's bright blue eyes sparkled, reminding Ginny so much of an excited Hermione.

"He's. . ." Ginny trailed off, uncertain how to describe Draco. She thought for a moment, and finally said softly, "he's impossible to describe. He's unlike any other guy I've ever met before."

Adrienne let out a giggle, blond girls bobbing as she encircled Ginny in a hug. "You've got it bad," she chuckled, ignoring Ginny's protests. "Tell me, does Mr. Amazing have a name?"

"Ferret," Ginny said automatically. She winced at Adrienne's dubious expression.

"Ferret?" she squeaked. "His name is Ferrret Amazing?"

"No, of course not!" Ginny said, wishing she could kick herself. "That's his last name. He has a first name, you know." Ginny racked her memory for a name, any name, but the only words that surfaced were Draco Malfoy. Think of fifth year, she thought desparately. For some reason, the Slytherin mascot popped into her head and she blurted out, "Serp-ius. That's his name. Serpius, uh, Ferret. Yes. Serpius Ferret."

Adrienne nodded in mock approval. "Not a bad name," She commented, trying not to laugh. "Serpius Ferret. Well, I guess we can just hope the rest of him is better than his name, right? There better be some compensation if you're going to be Mrs. Virginia Ferret."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Funny," she said dryly. "Okay, back to the party."

Adrienne smiled mischeviously. "I get the point," she said, wagging a finger. "Discussion dropped. But you know that we're coming back to it. For now, we have intensive planning to do."

"Wait," Ginny stopped. "My birthday is next Saturday, and I'm going home to celebrate."

Ginny stifled a grin as the elder girl frowned. It had been the perfect week to take her vacation indeed, she thought. "I suppose you're right," Adrienne said slowly. "Nothing we can do about a birthday. But promise that you go home overnight, and we'll be fine."

Ginny laughed. "Of course," she promised, gripping each one of their arms lightly. "Now let's get to work."

~*~

"Okay, so put the wreath over here and the bouquet over here," Ginny directed. The small man in front of her nodded eagerly, pointing his wand all over the grand entrance hall quicker than she could see. These wizard party planners sure know how to get things done, she thought appreciatively.

"Excuse me ma'am, would you check out the parlor and see if everything is arranged as you requested?" A bearded man asked, appearing to her right.

"I'm on it," She responded, bounding away. It had been a tiresome afternoon, but one in which she'd accomplished many things. And in the time she'd heaved herself into decharming, Draco had managed to almost slip her mind. Now, Ginny was eager to see the fruit of her labor, and she hurried to see the decorations in the finished room. She turned the corner and dashed into the sitting room, whirling right into someone's hard chest, someone who smelled and felt very familiar.

"You're back," Draco said, not betraying at all whether he was pleased or disappointed.

His eyes flickered over her slowly, causing her knees to numb. "Obviously," Ginny recovered evenly, struggling to maintain a steady breath at the sight of him, tall and dignified, hair slicked back smooth as ever.

"I see then you've heard about the party."

She nodded, wanting to ask if he remember her blow to his face but not daring to. Part of her wished he had forgotten, and the other part still seethed from his hurtful words. "Muggle party," she said limply.

"Unfortunately," Draco snorted. "Another one of Mother's brilliant ideas."

"She's not showing up," Ginny pointed out blankly.

"Actually," Draco contradicted with a small smirk, "It seems she realized that an appearance is necessary. And this wednesday Mother expects me to retrieve her gown from Diagon Alley. Now, she's already assumed that you have the honor of accompanying me."

"Oh really?" Ginny mocked before she could stop herself. "Whatever did I do to deserve such a gift?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Still feisty, I see," he noted. "I'm almost afraid to ask how your week with Potter was. You didn't slap him too, did you?"

"No, of course not," Ginny replied, spitefulness evaporating instantly as she was unable to think of a better response. Evidently, he remembered their last confrontation, but what the hell was she supposed to say about it?

"A shame," Draco chuckled mirthlessly. "I presume then that you had a splendid time."

"Naturally, you can imagine that it was just fine, since you weren't around," Ginny shot back. It was so natural to speak harshly with him, she thought. And then Blaise crossed her mind. "How was your week shagging the Zabini slut?"

His eyes widened, but just slightly, and if Ginny didn't know any better she would've thought that she'd startled him. "Wonderful," he smirked. "It was pure bliss. So naturally, you can imagine that I'm rather physically exhausted." He paused, completely unfazed by the deathly glower she was sending him. "Well, I wouldn't exactly ask you to imagine," he added smugly, "since you're never going to experience anything like that."

"Yes, Malfoy," Ginny gritted her teeth, "because unlike you, you little manwhore, I actually have morals. I don't leap into bed with anything that has a uterus."

"I'd be surprised if you did," Draco returned smoothly. "I didn't think any of the Weasleys actually preferred women."

Her face grew dark at the comment starkly implied towards her brothers. "You bloody-"

"I wouldn't finish that if I were you," he interjected, tilting his head at her. "These last few weeks I've certainly been easy on you, but I think it's time you're reminded of who the boss around here is." He crossed his arms over his chest and grinned, a calm, dangerous grin, one that dared her to respond.

Ginny squeezed her eyes closed tightly, breathing deeply in an attempt to control her temper. When she opened them, she found him watching her with that same cool, unaffected Malfoy indifference. But unlike their previous confrontations, it seemed less like he itched to strangle her. If anything, the smile playing at his lips suggested amusement.

It was like oxygen on fire, and her rage fanned out even more. How dare he laugh at my expense, she fumed silently, clenching and unclenching her jaw in small, mechanical motions. "Fine," she spat out slowly, "I am going to my room." For the sake of her sanity, she willed herself to turn and move away.

"By the way," he said condescendingly, causing her to stop and grudgingly spin around. "I don't shag just anything with a uterus. There's an extensive screening process that comes first, you know, just to make sure that everyone who makes it into my sheets is beautiful."

Draco shot her a gloating grin, waiting for her to storm off and simper in her room, or at least fling some witty remark back at him. What she did, however, took him completely by surprise: she laughed.

"Malfoy," she said in an odd voice, "I spent a night in your sheets." Taking advantage of his speechlessness, she added quietly, "Or maybe you've forgetten, as you were so quick to forget what happened the next morning." Tearing her eyes from his unreadable silver gaze, she strode away, surprised her suddenly weak legs could even carry her.

"Weasel," he called, just as she reached the open door.

Ginny froze. She wanted to leave, but for some inexplicable reason, the strange tone he'd spoken to her in transifixed her, rooting her to the ground despite herself. She did, however, refuse to turn around, instead standing stock still as a prompt for him to continue.

There was a long, heavy silence. Draco almost shut his mouth, unsure of what to say and wondering why he stopped her in the first place. "You know, it's pretty impossible to forget something you can't stop thinking about," he finally said in a voice so faint it was nearly inaudible.

Ginny looked down at her feet, not trusting her voice to speak and not trusting her heart to meet his eyes. So she did the only thing she really could do at that moment.

She walked away.

~End of Chapter 9

A/N* Sigh so angsty its even bothering me. But no worries! Love shall prevail! aha too dramatic there. . . hmm I think that chapter 10 is my favorite so far. That's where they go back to Diagon Alley. Many thanks to everyone that has been reviewing! J-Chan ~ haha sorry yes I am pretty slow for the summer (summer school for psat thingies), but I'll update every Monday, so once a week. Yep yep. Aritey less time on A/Ns and more time on the chappies. . .