Title: Was I Ever Loved By You?

Author: Audrey (booksmartbrilliance@msn.com)

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Summary: Ginny Weasley has it all. Successful career woman, love interest of Harry Potter, the envy of her generation. Life can't get any better. Until something happens that brings everything crashing down around her and she's forced to look at life from a different angle.

A/N:  This chapter is super, super long.  Partly to make up for the shortness of the last and partly because it is the last chapter for this story.  I usually have long A/N up here, but because of the chapter length I'll save it for the end. 

Chapter Sixteen – Weasley Wedding

No, love, love, don't come easy
But I keep on waiting
Anticipating for that soft voice
To talk to me at night
For some tender arms
To hold me tight
I keep waiting
I keep on waiting
But it ain't easy
It ain't easy
But mama said:

You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said to trust, give it time
No matter how long it takes

You can't hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
It's a game of give and take

Can't Hurry Love by Diana Ross

* * * * *

My last day is a half day, which means that I don't have to go in until noon.  I seriously consider not going in at all.  What are they going to do?  Fire me?  But I can't help but feel that would be the cowardly thing to do.  Especially now that I've spent the last six weeks toughing it out and working in proximity to my ex-boyfriend, to not show up on the last day would be like surrendering in a way.  I've come way too far to do anything of that sort.

I open the etched doors of Witch Weekly and find the office strangely deserted and dark.  Perhaps the entire staff has gone out to lunch together.  It's odd, but not unheard of.  I do, however, doubt that the idea would be one of Draco's.  Considering his stance on professionalism and…

And why am I even thinking of him at a time like this?  Or his rubbish ideas about what is appropriate and what isn't?  I doubt the staff would have done something so daring under his nose, especially since I know this staff.  Their one hour lunch will probably stretch to two when the boss is away.  Draco is probably still out of town on business, or avoiding me.  Either way, I suppose it's for the best.  Things will be much easier without him here.

To say things have been awkward the last six weeks would be like saying Gregory Freeman is just confused about his sexuality.  I had returned from lunch with Colin to find that Draco had left the office for the day.  For the rest of that week and the next I dreaded having the scene that was sure to follow, but it never happened.  In fact in the handful of private meetings that we've had everything has been perfectly professional.  In the beginning, he always looked as if there was something on the edge of his tongue, like he was a step away from bringing up the letter or that night and then I'd start to panic and come up with some excuse to get away.  Seeing him everyday at the office was hard at first.  I just kept telling myself everyday was one less day that I'd have to work with him.  One less day that I'd have to see his blonde head bent over some print, one last day I'd have to catch him watching me from across the room, one last day I'd have to wonder what things might have been like if there had been no Anna.

It was comforting at first, but strangely enough when he had to leave town for business during the fifth week I found myself missing those last days.  I felt like I was being robbed of something.  I told myself that Colin was right and Harry was wrong.  I simply needed closure.  It wasn't because I still loved him. 

And even if it was, it wasn't as if I could do anything about it. 

I sigh as I step into my dark office and turn on the lights.

"SURPRISE!"

I scream and turn around pulling out my wand.  I'm greeted by the sight of my bewildered co-workers staring at me.  Behind them letters are floating in the air with a banner spell that reads "Goodbye Virginia."

"Careful, Weasley," Draco says stepping towards me, a small smile playing at the edge of his lips.  "You'll poke someone's eye out."

He reaches out and puts his hand over mine as me moves my wand so that it's pointing down.  I smile tensely, ignoring the way his fingers brush against mine.  I quickly pocket my wand and step out of his grasp.

"I wish I had brought my camera for the face you just made," says a chuckling voice behind Draco.  "It was classic!"

"Colin?"  I ask, peering over Draco's shoulder.  "What are you doing here?"

"Are you kidding?  It's your going away party.  Of course I'm here.  Plus…free food."

"He seems to have forgotten he doesn't work here anymore," Draco says mildly annoyed as he moves so that I don't have to stand on my tiptoes and peer over him.

"Oh, I haven't forgotten,"  Colin says, smiling cheekily at him.  "Interesting how I didn't get a going away party like this."

"That's because we had the party after you left, Creevey," Draco says dryly.  "Lasted for hours."

I shake my head at the both of them.  Boys. 

"Right, well, I think I'm going to go get me some of that yummy looking cake over there while you two grow up," I say pushing past them and walking over the cake which I hope is supposed to say the same as the banner, but currently reads, "Goodbye Virgin".

"We're going to miss you, Virginia," Milton from Accounting says somberly.  I turn around to look at him, slightly relieved to see the piece with the "ia" in his hand.  "It's been a pleasure working with you."

"Thank you, Milton," I say, patting him on the shoulder.

"Hello, Creevey, how goes the glamorous world of photography."

"Oh, just grand, Milton," Colin says with a grin stepping up beside me.  "How goes the boring world of Accounting."

"Quite well, thanks."

I move away from them towards the punch bowl.  I can feel his eyes on me and I sneak a glance in his direction pretending to locate Colin.  He's talking to Stephen, a self-involved columnist, in the corner.  Or rather, Stephen's doing all the talking.  Draco looks tired, his shirt is slightly wrinkled and his shoulders slightly curved forward.  I've never seen him stand like that before.  It reminds me of the way Ron used to stand on the Quidditch Pitch, hands in his pocket, after losing a game.

Our eyes meet and for a moment I feel like he can see right through me.  I want to look away, but I find that I can't. 

"I can't believe you're leaving!" Helen says appearing in front of me and blocking my view.

"Believe it," I say managing a smile and slightly relived at the interruption.

"First Colin and now you, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself around here."

"What she means is who is she going to share all the juicy gossip with now?" Shelia says sliding up next to us.  "Did you hear about Malfoy?"

"No, what?" Helen asks, looking over her shoulder at Draco.  I say nothing as Sheila leans in, her eyes shining.

"I heard he's living in his office."

"What?  That's insane," I say finding myself strangely drawn into the conversation.

"It's true," Sheila says nodding.  "Mike heard it from Don who heard it from Susan who heard from Ryan who got it directly from Mary the custodian.  She said she walked in at seven the other morning and found him sleeping on the couch in his office…only in his boxers."

"Damn, I thought he slept in the nude," Helen says with a playful wink.

"He does sometimes," I say without thinking.

"WHAT?" they ask in unison.

I feel my cheeks warm.  "Nevermind, not important.  What were you saying?"

"Virginia Weasley, have you and Malfoy…"

"You've seen him nude?"  Helen asks, her eyes practically bulging. 

 "Malfoy?"  I ask blinking innocently and laughing loudly.  "No!  I thought you said…La Foy."

"La Foy?  The sixty year old from marketing?"

I clear my throat.  "Yes, well…um…if you'll excuse me I have a few things I have to wrap up before I leave.  Talk to you later!"

I turn around and practically run into Draco.

"Virginia, can I speak with you a moment?"  I glance over at my shoulder.  Helen and Sheila are watching us closely.

"Well, I…"

"Just for a moment," he says pulling me off to the side. 

"What?" I ask, when we're out of hearing distance.  His hand is still on my arm and the weight of it there is making me remember other times, other touches.  I shrug it off.  "What do you want?"

"You don't have to do this," he says taking a deep breath.  "I…"

"Mr. Malfoy?" 

We turn to see his secretary standing a few feet away.

"I'm terribly sorry, sir, but there's a man here to see you."

"Who is it?" Draco snaps, obviously annoyed at the interruption.

"Well…"  She seems to hesitate a minute.  "It's Harry Potter, sir."

"What?"  I ask.

Draco's jaw tightens, but he doesn't seem surprised.  For some reason, I get the impression that he was expecting this.  "Tell him I'll be there in a moment."

He turns back to me.

"Sir…" she says, obviously hating her job at the moment.  "He says it's urgent."

"Why is Harry here to see you?" I ask, crossing my arms. 

"Business," Draco says tersely.

I narrow my eyes at him.  "What kind of business?"

"Honestly, I'd rather not get into it.  Look, just don't leave before I get a chance to say goodbye properly."

"We said goodbye a long time ago."  I sound like one of those Muggle movies from the 40's that Becca loves to cry over.

"Virginia, please," he says looking at me intently.  "There are some things that have yet to be said."

"Then say them," I say, looking away from his penetrating eyes and down at my sensible shoes. 

Draco sighs.  "I will, after I deal with the git waiting in my office."

"Draco…"

"Just promise me you won't leave until I get a chance to say goodbye."

"I'll stay as long as I can," I say as if I have some pressing engagement later.  Right now the only thing pressing on me is an overwhelming feeling of dread.  This is just like him.  He's managed to keep everything professional at the office for the last six weeks and now that it's my last day and probably the only time I'll ever see him again he wants to rehash everything that's happened.  "I can't make any promises."

He lets out a slow breath and nods, as if that will have to do for now.  I watch him walk away with his secretary.  I look around the party and spot Colin in a corner surrounded by people.  I suddenly feel the overwhelming need to be by myself for a moment.  There are too many people in my office and I'm beginning to feel a bit claustrophobic.

I step out into the hall with the intention of going down to the break room to retrieve my blue mug.  I had made it a condition of my six weeks notice after all.  At the end of the hall I can hear muffled voices coming from Draco's office.  I strain my ears to overhear what business Harry would have with Draco, but I'm unable to make out the words.

I turn into the break room and switch on the lights, jumping to find that there is someone already there. 

"Lexy?"

The house elf, who is balancing on her toes in order to reach a canister of sugar on the top shelf, squeaks and tumbles backwards off the counter.  I wince as she bounces slightly before settling on the floor.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, Lexy is fine," she says getting up hurriedly.  "Miss isn't supposed to see me.  No one is supposed to see me!"

I step forward and put a hand on her shoulder.  "Calm down!  I won't tell anyone."

She gives me a doubtful look, but nods slowly.

"What are you doing here?"

"Lexy was just getting some sugar for Master's coffee."

"I mean, what are you doing here at the Witch Weekly?  Shouldn't you be at the flat?"

Lexy's bottom lip wobbles and I am startled to find her eyes shiny with tears.  "There is no flat Miss!  No kitchen to cook in, no floor to sweep, no bed to make!  Master is living here now."

I straighten, not believing what I am hearing.  An office rumor was one thing, but a house elf admitting that she and her master were homeless was something that couldn't be questioned.  House elves weren't known for their sense of humor, and even if they were, this wasn't funny.

"What happened?" I ask.  "Why are you living here?"

Lexy sniffs and shakes her head vehemently.  "Lexy cannot say anymore, Miss.  Lexy has said too much already."
I sigh.  I step forward and pull the sugar from the top shelf, setting it on the counter in front of her.  I then reach up and get my blue mug.  When I turn around Lexy is holding the sugar close to her, looking as if she'd rather be anywhere but here.

I open my mouth to give her some words of encouragement but I can't find any that seem to fit.  Especially since I don't quite know the situation.  Instead, I turn and make my way for the door.

"Miss?"

I turn around and look at her.  Once again, or maybe still, her eyes are shiny. 

"Lexy is sorry for letting Miss Anna in.  Lexy must obey her master's family and when she asked to be let in…"  She stepped toward me, her eyes pleading with mine to understand.  "Lexy had to.  It was not master's fault."

I rub my neck uncomfortably, reliving that night.

"It's alright, Lexy," I say softly.

"Master misses you, Miss," Lexy says taking another step towards me. 

I take a step back towards the door.  "He told you that?"

"Master does not talk to Lexy about such things," she says sadly.  "But since you left he doesn't eat, or sleep right, or smile.  Lexy would do anything for Miss if she made Master happy again.  When master is sad, Lexy is sad."

"Lexy, I have to go," I say in a rush as I put my hand on the doorknob and swing it open.

I run out into the hallway and slam the door shut.  I turn around and scream for the second time since entering the building as I come face to face with Harry.  He startles me causing me to drop my mug.  It is now at my feet in a thousand pieces.

"Ginny, are you alright?" he asks, giving me a concerned look. 

"Perfectly fine," I lie, kneeling and picking up the pieces.  "What are you doing here?"

Harry grins at me.  "Oh, just some business I had to attend to."

Giving up on collecting the pieces I put them back and straighten up looking at Harry in the eye.  "What kind of business?"

He avoids my eye, instead pulling out his wand and casting reparo on the mug.  He picks it up and hands it to me.

"Harry," I say firmly, taking the mug from him.  "What are you up to?"

"Nothing," he says innocently enough, raising his eyebrows at me.  "So how goes your last day?"

A tall man with gray hair walks up beside Harry.  "The prisoner is on his way to the Ministry, sir."

Harry  gives me a nervous glance before looking back at the man and nodding.  "Alright, good job, Parker.  I'll see you at the office."

"Very well, sir."

I watch as the other man turns and makes his way towards the front doors.

"Prisoner?" I ask, gripping my mug tightly.

Harry winces.  "Well…I don't know if I'd say prisoner.  Subject maybe?"

"HARRY.  What is going on?"  My eyes widen.  "You didn't..."

"Didn't what?" he asks, but I'm already marching towards Draco's office. 

"Ginny, wait!"

I push the door open to find his office deserted.  I spin around and poke Harry in the chest with my finger.

"Where's Draco?"

"You mean, Malfoy?" he asks gently pushing me away.

"Yes!  What did you do?"

"Just my job," he says.  He leans on the desk in a pose of forced casualness, then seemingly realizing how absurd he looks, he switches positions and settles on half sitting on the desk with his arms crossed.  "I have a duty to make sure that all wizarding methods of communication are kept in compliance with the WCC guidelines."

"WCC?" I ask lost.

"Wizarding Communications Committee," he says as if he's thrown a little off guard.  "Didn't I tell you I was promoted?"

"No," I say, successfully sidetracked for a moment.

He grins at me, obviously proud.  "I'm the Commisioner."  He shakes his head slightly as if getting back on track.  "So anyway, when the owner of a respected magazine like Witch Weekly fails to renew his permit for operations in a timely fashion action has to be taken.  Sometimes, drastic action."

"This is about a permit?" I ask, not believing my ears.  "You've arrested him because he didn't file for a permit?"

"Well…yes."

I put my hands on my hips and stepped towards him.  "And this has nothing to do with the fact that I'm still in love with him and you're in love with me?"

"Of course not," Harry says, his eyes shining.  "How petty do you think I am?"

"How dense do you think I am?" I cry.  "Harry James Potter if you don't stop this right now I'll…"  I searched my mind for something horrible.

"You'll what?" he asks, looking as if he wants to smile at me, but trying desperately not to.

"Stop being so childish!" I say hitting him on the shoulder.  "I'll….I'll…I'll never speak to you again!" I finish in a rush.  That's all I could come up with?

"I can't stop it," he says firmly.  "When you break the rules you have to pay the price."

"What is wrong with you!  You know you could have him out in an instant.  Break the rules.  It's not like you've ever been a rule man in the past.  It's a bloody permit!  You're acting like…like…Percy!"

Harry breaks out into a grin.  "Really?  That's what I was going for."

"Have you lost your bloody mind?"  I scream at him.

"Ginny, listen to me," he says, the grin fading from his face as he looks nervously towards the door.  "I know you hate me right now.  But all of this is for the best.  I know what I'm doing.  Sometimes you have to give things a little push. You're just going to have to trust me."

"Trust you?  Harry, I mean it.  If he's not released by… "

"My hands are tied, Ginny.  He'll have to come before the WCC on Monday.  Until then he'll be locked up at the Ministry.  Unless he can strike up some kind of deal."

"A deal with who?" I ask.

Harry shakes his head and makes his way towards the door.

"Harry…a deal with who?"   I repeat.

He pauses outside the door and gives me a faint smile.  "See you at the wedding, Ginny."

Then he opens the door and steps outside.

I run to the door and swing it open, to my left I can hear the voices and laughter of the office staff, and to my right is silence.  There is no sign of Harry.  The hallway is deserted.

* * * * *

"So he said a deal?" Becca asks, frowning slightly from her perch on the arm of the couch.

"Yes, he said he'd have to strike up some sort of deal or else he'd be there until Monday."  I say leaning towards her.

"Well, if you ask me it doesn't sound like you can do much of anything," Lars says taking a sip of his beer.  He's currently looking very comfortable in our armchair.  "Malfoy's dug himself into this hole, now he'll have to get out of it."

"I think he's right," Gabrielle says, beside me as she plays with the fringe on the sofa pillow.  "It doesn't sound like you could help...even if you wanted to."

"Not that you want to, right?" Becca asks uncertainly.  "Do you?"

"Of course I do.  You guys don't get it!" I say, hitting the couch with the palm of my hand.  "This is Harry's doing.  I asked Sheila about the permit.  She said she filed the paperwork six months ago!  Harry's arrested Draco on some trumped up charges because of the other night."

"The other night?" Becca asks, looking confused.

"What happened the other night?" Gabrielle asks, sitting at attention.

"I..uh…"I say looking around the room at the faces of my closest friends.  "Harry sort of kissed me."

Gabrielle squeals, Becca's mouth drops and Lars' eyes grow wide as he takes a gulp of Lager.

"He what?" Gabrielle asks, bouncing excitedly on the couch.  "How did that happen? 

"Wait, Harry's the ex-boyfriend, right?  The one before Draco?"  Becca asks, running a hand through her hair.

"Right," Lars says, showing a sudden interest.  "He broke her heart by breaking up with her on the night she thought he was going to propose."

"Oh," Becca says, frowning.  "That's horrible!"

"And now he suddenly wants you back?" Gabrielle says.  "Is this because he broke up with Monet?"

"He broke up with Monet?" Lars asks with a snort. 
Gabrielle reaches over and hits his knee.  "I mean…that's a shame.  She was such a…lovely person," he says haltingly.

"I don't know!" I say, trying to get the conversation back on track.  "When Draco and I broke up he gave me this speech about how he'd never been in love.  And then the other night out of the blue he said he knew what it was like to love someone who loved someone else.  And he kissed me."

Lars shakes his head, "You know you're life would make one hell of a soap on the wireless."

"And then what happened?" Gabrielle asks.

"Then he said that it was too late.  That I loved Draco now."

"But you don't…right?"  Becca says a hint of doubt still lingering in her tone.  "You hate Draco right?"

"Yes, of course she does!"  Gabrielle says cheerfully.  "I mean the man was married and never told her."

I don't answer, instead choosing to pick at a piece of lint on my jumper.

"When Harry kissed you…"  Becca seems to pause and then rushes on.  "Was there tongue involved?"

"Becca!" I say, my head snapping up and my eyes going wide.
Becca blushes slightly.  "What I mean is…maybe it was like a goodbye kiss.  Maybe he was letting you go."

"Then why would he do this to Draco?  He's put him in jail because I'm still in love with him and because I don't love Harry anymore."

"So you do love him?" Lars says, putting his drink down absentmindedly.

"Well…" I say looking at the shocked faces of Gabrielle and Becca.    I sigh, feeling annoyed.  "It's not like you can just stop loving someone overnight!  It takes time!  I love him but I don't."

There is a long moment of shocked silence and then Gabrielle clears her throat.

"Well, I'm sure everything will turn out fine, Ginny.  Monday morning he'll go before the WCC and they'll sort everything out and let him go."

"And Harry's vendetta or whatever, will be fulfilled,"  Becca says. "Unless there's some catch in wizarding law that I don't know about.  That's perfectly possible as I didn't even know there was such a thing as wizards until a month or so ago…"

"Knowing the WCC there will be some steep Commission fines," Lars says, but quickly adds, "but he's a Malfoy.  He'll have them paid in a blink of an eye."

"No," I say, standing up.  "Something is going on here.  He doesn't have any money.  He's living out of his office.  He's not going to be able to pay any fines."

"Was that Harry's doing as well?" Becca asks.

"I don't know," I say, looking at all of them.

Gabrielle sighs and stands up.  "Alright, this is what you'll do.  You know Harry's going to be at the wedding tomorrow.  Talk to him then.  Tell him you know what's going on and that you never asked for him to do these things.  And if he really loves you, he'll stop using you as an excuse to get back at an old school rival."

Lars nods.  "Besides, the ministry is closed.  So unless you're willing to break Malfoy out of prison you're going to have to wait until Monday to do anything as it is."

"Exactly," Becca says.  "Right now you're only power in this situation is the pull you have over Harry."

"I just don't know if that's enough to get Draco out of this," I say frowning.  I take in a deep breath.  "What if he thinks I put Harry up to all this?"

"Who cares what he thinks," Gabrielle says with a wave of her hand.  "Even if you didn't, I'm not so sure this isn't justifiable punishment.  What he did to you was unforgivable, Ginny."

"But, you did forgive Harry…"  Becca starts.

"That was different," Gabrielle says cutting her off.  "Harry wasn't married at the time."

"No, but it still hurt, and you were still able to come to the point where you two were friends again.  Well..until now," Becca says.  "What I mean is…Ginny you have to do what's right for you.  Not what's right for me, or Gabrielle, or Lars, or Colin or Harry.  The heart wants what the heart wants.  And we just want you to be happy."

"And we don't want you to get hurt again," Gabrielle adds quickly.  "If I'm hard on Malfoy it's because I know how much he hurt you.  So I'm sorry if I don't understand why you suddenly want to ride off to his rescue."

"It's just the right thing to do," I say.  "Even though he did hurt me.  It's not right for him to be in jail or be forced to pay a fine he can't afford just because Harry's holding a grudge.  This is purely based on principle, not emotion."

"Good," Gabrielle says.  "Because if it was me, I wouldn't mind my married ex serving time for a day or two."

Lars stands up and pecks Gabrielle on the cheek.  "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

Gabrielle smiles and pushes him playfully towards the door.

"We'll see you later then," she says before letting herself out.

I look over at Becca who is studying me closely.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing," she says, startled that I've caught her staring at me.  "I was just thinking about how you don't smile anymore."

"Not a lot to smile about," I say a little more shortly than I mean to.  "I mean, you heard Lars, my life is a bloody soap."

Becca laughs.  "That it is." 

She gets off the couch and holds her hand out to me.  "Come on, then.  Let's find a hairstyle to go with your teal dress.  You can worry more about him on Monday."

I give her a small smile and take her hand, pulling myself up to my feet.  "Alright, but no hair bows.  I'll look like an over wrapped present as it is."

"Alright," she says grinning.  "No hair bows."

* * * * *

"Ginny, hurry, will you?" Mum frantically calls out to me from the other side of the door.  "We're running out of time.  We should have been at the church twenty minutes ago."

I open the door, my bridesmaid dress not laced up in the back. 

"Mum, I told you this isn't my dress.  This is four sizes too small!"

"I know, Ginny," Mum says exasperated, "But we're just going to have to work with it.  Lady Malkin's is closed and there's no way to get you another dress before the wedding.  Turn around."

"Mum, there's no way…"

"Turn around," she snaps and before I can think, I find myself obeying her.  The next thing I know her hand is on the small of my back and she's lacing up the corset.

"Mu—" I breathe, but she shushes me. 

"Listen, Ginny, exhale slowly and don't talk, or else we'll never be able to get it up all the way.  Hold on to that bedpost for support."

I try to protest, but find myself unable to speak as all the air has left my diaphragm.  She's tugging so hard, that I find I do have to hold on to the bedpost just to stay on my feet.  She makes one last tug at the top and then turns me around to look at her handiwork. 

"Mum…I…can't….breathe," I pant.

"Yes you can, just take shallow breaths…Yes, like that.  Don't look at me like that Ginny.  This is Charlie's wedding, do you really want to ruin it because your dress didn't fit?  I'd fix it if I could, but this is beyond my skill.  Considering the dress, you really don't look that bad, dear."

I look down, but all I can see is my cleavage pushed up in my face.   I'd sigh, but it's physically impossible.  Mum takes me by the hand and leads me in front of the mirror in her room. 

I look like a bell.  A bright turquoise bell, adorned with ribbons and cleavage.  I had thought that the dress couldn't get any worse, but the addition of cleavage makes it even more horrid than it was in the first place.

"Alright, we'd better go," Mum says.  "We're running late as it is."

I feel like crying. 

She sighs.  "Ginny, it's okay.  It won't be for long, just the wedding and then pictures at the reception…then you can change, alright?  Do it for Charlie."  She pats me on the shoulder, and goes searching for her handbag and mumbling under her breath.  "Honestly, I don't know what that woman was thinking.  Of all colors she had to go with, she picked turquoise?"

 We arrive at the church and I can feel everyone's eyes on me.  Gwen, Karen's mother, rushes up to me a frown on her face.

"Oh, Ginny, what's the matter with you dress?"

"It's too small," I say.  "They must have gotten the sizing wrong."

"How terrible," she says.  She looks me over and then leans forward, lowering her voice.  "You know, it might fit better if you remove the padding in your bra."

"What?" I ask, feeling my face go red.  "I don't stuff my bra."

"Are you sure, dear?" She asks doubtfully.

"She doesn't," Mum says firmly.  "She gets her breasts from my side of the family and I don't think you would accuse me of stuffing, would you?"

"Mum!"

Gwen looks at Mum critically and then nods.  "Alright, then, but isn't there anyway to minimize the cleavage.  I want this wedding to be classy."

"Maybe you shouldn't have chosen turquoise as a color then," Mum says under her breath.

"What was that?" Gwen asks, taking her eyes away from my chest.

"I said, turquoise is such a lovely color," Mum says with forced cheerfulness.  "Look, it's simple.  We'll simply move the bow on the side and put it here, front and center."

"Mum, I don't think…"

"That's brilliant, Molly!  It should draw attention away from…those," Gwen says.  "A simple severing charm should work."

Mum bends down and severs the bow at my side and does a quick spell to sew it to my chest.  They stand back and look at the job they've done.  I vow that I'm going to incinerate every picture taken of me today.  Starting with the one Colin has just snapped of me.

"Well, hello Virginia!" he says grinning.  "Don't you look…bright."

"Hello, Colin," I say, giving him a look that clearly means I'm not in the mood for comments about my hideous appearance.  Ever since Colin left the Weekly and has been working for Freeman he's also taken on a few side jobs.  Charlie and Karen were only too happy to accept his offer of being the wedding photographer for a reasonable price.

"Alright Ginny, the rest of the bridesmaids are helping Karen get ready.  If you want to slip in there you could," she says pointing to a door on my right.  "Mr. Creevey, if you'll come with me…I'd like to get some pictures of the flower arrangements."

I nod and walk away from them, only to have my name called out.  I turn around to see who it is.

"Bill!" I say, trying to walk towards him and another man he is talking to.  

He laughs, taking in the sight of me.  "Ginny, I'm not quite sure that look works for you."

"The dress is too small," I say frowning..  "I'm having to work for this look whether or not it works for me."

"So this is Ginny, you look very different from the four year old girl I remember," says the redheaded man he was talking to.  "I'm Lane."

I look at him, puzzled.  "Hello."

"You remember Lane," Bill says.  "He was one of Charlie's roommates at school."

"Oh!" I say, "You came to the Burrow for Christmas one year."

"I still have the sweater," Lane says grinning.  "I used to wear it and people would think Charlie and I were brothers."

"Well, you certainly have the Weasley hair," I said grinning.

"Oy, Ginny, where are you going after the wedding?  To work the docks?" 

"Hi Fred," I say giving him a resigned nod as he approaches.  "I see you like the dress.  Where's Angelina?"

"Over there, talking to Mum," he says.  "Hey Lane, haven't seen you since George and I went to go visit Charlie a couple of years ago."

"Hello, Fred, I hear the joke shop is doing well."

"Well enough, what have you been up to?"

"Daddy, daddy!"  I look on as an adorable redheaded three year old boy comes running up to us and wraps his arms around Lane's leg.

Lane smiles and picks up the boy.  "Taking care of this little one.  This is my son Ned."

"He's adorable," I coo.

Ned reaches out towards Fred.  "Daddy!"

Lane chuckles.  "He calls everyone daddy.  I think I tried too hard in getting it to be the first word he ever said.  Now he associates it with any man he sees."

Gwen walks up to us.  "Lane, Ginny, go take your places!  It's time to start."

Lane looks over at Bill.  "Bill would you mind watching Ned?  My wife couldn't make it and he can't stand up there with me as Best Man."

"I'll take him," Fred says with a mischievous grin.  "Angel says I need to get used to kids anyway."

"Alright, thanks mate," Lane says handing Ned over.  He looks to me.  "Are you ready?"

"Can't wait," I say making my way towards the door and hoping not only that I don't trip while going down the isle, but also that I don't pass out from lack of air.

Karen looks absolutely beautiful in her spotless white wedding dress.  She looks over my dress and asks the same question that her mother did.  I explain that the dress is too small and she apologizes profusely until I tell her not to worry about it.  I'm perfectly fine.  I leave out the part about not being able to feel my upper body any longer.

I take my bouquet of flowers and my place near the entrance.  The music begins and I take the hand of my escort and am walked down the red carpet past the guests.  On my way down I see my family in their seats.  Penelope smiles at me, the baby in her arms.  Percy is busy showing a small black book to Ron and Hermione sitting beside him.  Alicia, George, Angelina, Fred and Ned are on one isle.  Fred is holding Ned in his lap and distracting him with a piece of candy.  I just hope that isn't one of their products.  Lane might not appreciate it if his son comes back to him with green hair.  Bill and Fleur are sitting beside Mum and Dad on the next isle.  Fleur whispers something in Bill's ear as I pass, and I can only guess that it's a comment about my dress as Bill frowns slightly.

I smile widely at Charlie who looks nervous and excited at the same time.  He looks me up and down and gives me a questioning look with a raise of his eyebrows before I take my spot.  I give him a slight shake of my head, which means I'll explain later.  I watch as the other bridesmaids make their way down the carpet and take their seats.  Everyone stands as Karen begins her walk down the isle.  I look at the faces of my family and friends and feel a slight pang.  There was a time when this was all I had ever wanted.  A wedding of my own…with Harry.  It seemed like everything had been so simple then.  Now, I don't know what I want.

I look for Harry over the sea of faces and wonder if he's feeling anything like this as well.  It's only a matter of seconds before I realize he's not there.  That's definitely odd.  Harry wouldn't miss Charlie's wedding unless there was something big going on.  I hope his absence doesn't have anything to do with Draco.  Well, whether he shows or not today, I still have to get to him by Monday.  I had almost forgotten why I was so angry with the green-eyed man over my panic over the dress.

I'm snapped out of my worries as the bridesmaid beside me trips on her skirt and has to take a step towards me to balance herself, knocking me slightly sideways and causing me to drop my bouquet. 

"I'm sorry," she whispers, blushing slightly as she rights herself.  I smile and try to bend down to get the bouquet, only to find that along with sighing, bending too is physically  impossible in the corset.  I only manage to bend two inches forward.  I look out over the crowd and see Fred and George grinning at me.  Mum is shaking her head slightly, and indicates with a discreet movement of her hand that I should leave it.  Colin suddenly appears in front of me and snaps off another unflattering picture.  I'm going to kill him later.

I can't see over the huge bow on my chest, so I feel around a bit with my shoe and then try to pull the bouquet towards me as best I can.

Meanwhile, Karen has taken her place beside Charlie and the priest has begun speaking.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.  If any man can show just cause why these two should not be lawfully joined together speak now or forever hold your peace."

There is a pause as the priest looks up momentarily to survey the guests.

Suddenly a child's voice echoes in the big church as he runs towards Charlie.  "DADDY!"

Ned wraps his arms around Charlie's leg and holds on for dear life.

Gwen is on her feet instantly and Mum soon follows.  There is a collective gasp of surprise that I take part in.  I'm sorry immediately for sucking in so much air so fast.  I have to grab on to the bridesmaid next to me as dizziness sweeps over me and I fight to regain my breath.  Now it's my turn to cause her to drop her bouquet.  Colin is snapping pictures of everyone like crazy.

"No, no, no, no, no," Lane chants as he steps forward and sweeps up Ned.  "I'm so sorry, it's not what it looks like.  He's mine."  He meets the disapproving look of Gwen.  "I swear."

"Daddy!" Ned says, happily burying his face in his father's neck. 

There is a soft sound of laughing a few feet away and I see Karen bending over because she's laughing so hard.  Charlie has an embarrassed grin on his face and soon finds his bride's laughter too infectious not to join in with.  It's only a matter of minutes before everyone is laughing except for Gwen who doesn't look happy at all and Angelina who is giving Fred a murderous look.

And myself, because right now I'm trying not to pass out. 

"Are you alright?" the bridesmaid beside me asks.

"Fine," I say, finally able to stand without her help. 

She gives me an uncertain look and bends down to get her bouquet. 

"While you're down there," I say, giving her my best smile.  "Could you hand me mine?"

* * * * *

"Ginny, are you alright?" Hermione asks as we make our way to our table later at the reception.  "You look a bit peaked."

"It's this dress, I feel like I'm being squeezed out the top of it like a tube of toothpaste."

"You look it too," Colin says.  "Virginia, don't take this the wrong way, but you should have seriously considered leaving the country before wearing that."

"I knew you'd say that!" I say. 

"Then you also know that I've taken over a dozen pictures of you in this monstrosity and they're going to be used for blackmail."

"I didn't know that," I say, sitting down very carefully and slowly in my seat.  "But thanks for warning me."

"Oh no," Hermione says.  "Here comes Percy." 

She turns to me looking panicked.  "I'm sorry, Ginny, but if I have to see those baby pictures one more time I'm going to scream.  I hope you understand."

The next thing I know she's on her feet and walking away in a hurry.  Colin looks down at me and shrugs.  "Sorry, I have to take pictures…"

"Ginny!" An excitable Percy says pulling out the chair just occupied by Hermione.  "Have you seen Andrew's baby pictures?"

I look back at Colin, only to find he too has deserted me.

I didn't have a chance.  There was no way I would have been able to get away in time in this dress.  This turquoise disaster is going into the fireplace the minute I get home.   "No, Percy, I haven't…"

"This is his first yawn.  This is his first bath.  This is his first night at our house.  This is him and Penelope in the hospital.  This is his first cry.  This is…oh, wait…those are my fingers.  I was trying to get used to the camera…"

I nod as he flips through the small black book I saw him showing Ron and Hermione earlier.  It's full of pictures, which seem absolutely endless. 

"And this…this is his first diaper."

"Percy!  No one wants to see that."

"It's cute though, isn't it?" He asks smiling up at me.  "Look at how small it is."

"Not really," I say, no longer in the mood for being civil.  I can't breathe, I can't drink, I can't eat… I can't take this much longer…

"I knew you'd think so," he says, either ignoring or not hearing me.  "Oh, look, there's Bill.  I haven't shown him yet." 

Percy gets up and walks over to Bill.  A moment later Hermione and Ron float by the table.  I roll my eyes.  "He's gone to show Bill."

"Oh, thank Merlin," Hermione says taking her chair again.

"Did he show you the diaper?" Ron asks frowning down at his food.  "Disgusting."

"Say cheese," Colin says appearing in front of us.  "Oh, hello Ron.  I almost didn't recognize you with all your clothes on."

"Shove it, Creevey," Ron says, turning slightly red and looking away. 

"Actually, Colin," Hermione says looking slightly embarrassed.  "We were wondering if you could take some more pictures…"

"You were wondering!"  Ron says quickly.  "And I told you, no more modeling half-naked for me."

"Ron," Hermione says, turning pink.  "I was talking about the engagement pictures."

"Oh, right," Ron says looking quickly at each of us in turn as his ears turn red.  He looks away from us and towards the door, desperate for a change of subject.  "Look, there's Harry."

I look in the direction that Ron has nodded in and do in fact see Harry looking his best.  He's just stepped inside the door and seems to be scanning the crowd.  He appears to be talking to someone, then looks over his shoulder and disappears out the door again.

Only to emerge again, this time pulling Draco with him.  It takes all my willpower not to suck in a breath of surprise.  I try to calm my racing heart by concentrating on my shallow breathing.

Hermione who was taking a sip of water, chokes on it.  "Is that Malfoy?"

"WHAT THE HELL IS MALFOY DOING HERE?"  Ron asks slamming his drink down on the table.

"It looks like he's here with Harry," Colin says, looking puzzled. 

"I'm sure there's a good explanation," Hermione says.

"Well, I'm going to find out," Ron says, getting to his feet.  Hermione hurries after him.

Colin gives an indigent snort beside me.  "Honestly, I wish you would have told me Harry was gay before I started going out with Gregory.  You know I've always fancied him."

"What?" I say.  "Harry's not gay!"

"Why else would he have brought Malfoy?  Especially looking like that."

"He's not gay, Colin," I say, finding it harder and harder to control my breathing.  "I went out with the man for two years.  I went out with both of them.  I think I'd know if they were gay, don't you?"

"Well, maybe you were the deciding…"

"Colin Creevey, if you finish that sentence I'm going to shove that camera up your…"

"Right, then," he says,  cutting me off as he gets to his feet abruptly.  "Well, I've got pictures to take.  See you around."

I get up slowly from my chair and start making my way towards Harry who is talking to Ron and Hermione in the corner.  I spot Malfoy sitting in a chair and looking like he's in absolute hell.  To my surprise, Percy takes a seat beside him and starts showing him the pictures. 

My mistake, now he looks like he's really in hell.

Just as I almost get to Harry, he begins walking towards the front of the hall.  I follow him as quickly as I can.  Which isn't very fast at all.  He stops a moment and shares a word with the band.  I watch as they hand him a microphone.

"Harry," I pant, finally catching up to him.  "What the hell are you doing?  What is Malfoy doing here?"

Harry gives me an amused smile.  "Nice dress."

"Harry…"

"It's payback time," Harry says with a smile.  "Ginny, I just want you to promise me one thing."

"What?  What are you talking about?"

"Promise me you'll leave my broom out of this."

"What?"

Harry smiles, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and raising the microphone up to his mouth. 

"Excuse me.  Can I have your attention please?"

I look as everyone looks towards us.  Draco pauses in taking a sip of a champagne glass to stare at us.

"Harry," I say under my breath, "what are you do—"

"I have an announcement to make.  And I couldn't think of a better place then here among our closest and dearest friends.  Ginny and I are getting married."

I let out a squeak of shock, that instantly makes me feel extremely dizzy and has black spots dancing in front of my eyes.  I grab onto Harry for support.

Then everything seems to happen at once. 

"I KNEW IT!" Mum says clapping her hands together in the corner.  "I knew you'd get back together!"

"Congratulations!" are shouted to us over the raising of glasses.

"Yeah, we've heard that one before," George shouts.

And then, Draco jumps up from his seat, looking pale with spilt champagne running down his shirt.  "WHAT?  You're bloody marrying Potter?"

"NO…I'M….NOT!" I pant, trying to regain my footing.  "I'm not…marrying anyone… ever… because of you…  I don't believe in love…anymore!"

"What?" Mum says, her face falling.  "So you aren't marrying Harry?"

"So you're not marrying Potter?" Draco echoes, looking utterly confused.

"Of course not," I say. 

Harry is beaming as if he's just pulled the best practical joke ever.  "I owed you that one, Malfoy."

"Harry," I say, hitting him in the shoulder and making him wince.  "What the bloody hell are you trying to do?"

"I'm leaving," Draco says, throwing his napkin down in his seat. 

"You're not going anywhere," Harry says.  "We made a deal."

Draco spins around to glare at him.  "The deal is off, Potter.  I'd rather go to Azkaban than risk the insanity here."

"A deal?" I ask, my eyes widening as Draco continues on his way towards the door.  "You blackmailed him into coming here with you?  Why?"

"Because," Harry says sighing.  "Because you still love him.  Look me in the eye and tell me you don't."

Draco stops on his way and turns to look at me.  Everyone is looking at me.

My shallow breathing is getting quicker.  I don't know how much more I can take of this.

"And Malfoy still loves you," Harry says, when I don't answer.  "Ginny, he gave up everything for you."

"Potter…" Draco says, a warning edge to his tone.

Harry looks up at him and shakes his head.  "Sod off, Malfoy.  You know it's true.  You gave up everything for her, she should know about it."

"What are you talking about?" I ask Harry.  "Have you gone mad?"

"No," Harry says.  "I haven't gone mad.  I've got more sense than the two of you.  I didn't know what it was going to take to get you two talking again, so I had to go to some drastic measures.  Before you throw away everything, you should hear both sides of the story."

"Harry…" I say looking out over the crowd of people who are staring at us.  I realize that we've become the entertainment of the evening.  "There's nothing to say," I whisper.

"Yes there is," he says taking my arm and pulling me towards Draco. 
"Potter, stop," Draco says.  "I don't know what delusions of grandeur you're under, but you're hardly someone who should be playing cupid.  So you sod off, and forget the deal."

Harry grabs Draco's arm and drags the both of us out of the Hall into the entrance way.

"Potter, if you don't let go of my arm right now I'm going to…"

Harry lets go of Draco's arm.  Draco straightens his suit, regarding both of us warily.

"Alright, Potter, you win.  You've embarrassed me in front of a hundred or so wedding guests.  Now you can just take me back to jail and come Monday I'll have  your job."

"I'm not taking you back to jail," Harry says frowning slightly.  "Look, I had to get the two of you together somehow.  I knew you weren't going to tell each other the truth unless someone made you."

"Wait," I say, yanking my arm free of Harry's grip.  "This was all some elaborate plan to get us talking?  Then why on earth did you say we were getting married just then?"

Harry blushes slightly.  "Well…I wanted him to know what it felt like," he says nodding in Malfoy's direction.  "He pulled the same crap on me at Christmas.  Speaking from experience, a declaration like that can make even the most cavalier person come out of the woodwork."

"If you're not taking me back into custody then I'm leaving," Draco says, his mouth set in a thin line.  "I don't have to be humiliated like this."

"Don't talk to me about humiliation," I say, spinning on him and feeling the world still spinning even after I've stopped.  "I wrote the book.  Believe me, whatever you're feeling isn't equal to the tiniest bit of humiliation at finding out that you've been duped by a married man."

"Duped?" Draco asks, frowning distractedly at me.  "Are you alright?" he asks studying me.  "You don't look that well."

"You try looking well in a teal dress four sizes too small!" I scream, seeing black spots dance in front of my eyes.

"Ginny," Harry says, putting a hand on my shoulder.  "Calm down!"

"Calm down?" I ask, looking from him to Draco.  I can't seem to catch my breath.  Damn this dress!.  "It's impossible to stay calm when you two are involved!  One of these days…" I pant, feeling everything begin to spin faster. "No…Today…I'm going to tell the both of you…to just…go to…"

I feel the world come crashing down on me as my feet fall out from underneath me.

"Hell," I manage to whisper before everything goes black.

* * * * * *

"Malfoy, I don't think you should…"

I can faintly hear the sound of fabric ripping and am aware of someone gently rolling me over so that I'm on my back.

"Shove it, Potter, this is all your fault!"

"Maybe I should get Molly or…"

"She's coming around."

I open my eyes to see both men leaning over me.    I take a deep breath of air and it makes me feel lightheaded. 

"What happened?" I ask, looking into concerned grey and green eyes. 

"You fainted," Draco says sternly.  "What made you think you could wear a dress like that?  I'm surprised you didn't do it sooner."

"Well…I…"

"Are you alright?" Harry asks.  "Do you need anything?  I'm terribly sorry Ginny, I didn't mean to get you that upset."

"It's fine, I…"

"Get her a drink," Draco says.  "Gin and tonic."

Harry nods, looking grateful for something to do.  "Right, one Gin Gin.  I'll be right back."

He get off his knees and runs back into the hall.  Draco looks down at me.  I try to sit up, but he gently pushes me down.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"I'm fine," I say a little annoyed.  "Really."

"No," he says frowning slightly.  "I had to do a severing charm on the back of your dress.  So unless you want the whole world to see your backside…I wouldn't."

I sigh and lay back down quickly.  I close my eyes.  "Gwen is going to kill me."

"You should be killing her.  Honestly, Virginia, why would you put yourself through that for a wedding?"

I open my eyes and meet his eyes.  "Weddings are important to us Weasleys.  Unlike some other people."

He looks away from me.  "Right, cheap shot."

"I'm a Weasley, sometimes all we can afford are the cheap ones."

"I thought you might have gotten that out of your system with the resignation letter."

"You weren't supposed to see that letter," I say quickly.  "I didn't mean to give it to you."

"But you meant what you wrote in it?" He asks, looking at me again. 

"I was angry," I say.  "And hurt."

"And now?" 

I sigh.  "I'm just hurt."

He says nothing, just looks down at his hands.  I stare up at the ceiling.

"Where the bloody hell is Potter with that drink?" he asks looking towards the door.

"Why are you living at the office?" I hear myself ask.

He looks at me startled.  "I'm not."

"Are you ever going to stop lying to me?  I saw Lexy." I cross my arms over my chest.  But considering I'm laying down it doesn't look very menacing. 

He sighs.  "It's a long story."

"I'm not going anywhere after what you've done to my dress."

"If I remember correctly you single handedly destroyed an entire outfit of mine as well, just consider this as us being even."

"Draco," I say staring up at him and pursing my lips together like McGonagall used to.  "Just tell me what happened."

"I lost the flat," he says.  "I don't have a penny to my name.  All I have is the Weekly."

"What?"  I say startled, sitting up.  "How?  Why?  What happened?"

He laughs softly.  "You've always been a reporter at heart.  Always asking the tough questions."

"That wasn't an answer," I say frowning at him.  "What happened?"

"You did," he says taking off his jacket.  "Here, put this on.  Maybe it will cover up most of the damage."

"Me?" I ask staring at him blankly.  I ignore the jacket being held out to me.

"Yes," he says with a sigh, lowering the jacket.

"What do I have to do with it?"

"Everything," Harry says from behind me.  He kneels beside us and hands me a Gin Gin.  "Malfoy here lost everything in the divorce."

"Potter, that's none of her concern," Draco snaps.

Harry raises an eyebrow at him.  "Isn't it?  Even when she was the cause of it?"

"Great," I say, as I set the Gin Gin down beside me.  "Now I'm a home wrecker."

"There has to be a home to destroy for you to be that," Draco says leveling a look at me.  "Ginny, none of this has anything to do with you.  Potter is off his rocker."

"Why are you so afraid that she'll know what you did?" Harry asks, standing up and  looking at Draco.  "Are you afraid you're going to look like a fool?"

Draco stands up, glaring at Harry.  "Potter, who asked you to get in the middle of all of this?"

"Stop!" I say standing up and getting between them. 

"I'm sick and tired of both of you.  Draco," I say turning my back on Harry for a moment and poking him in the chest.  "If you have something to tell me, tell me now!"

"And you," I say turning to Harry.  "Stop playing these games!  You both need to grow up!  We're not sixteen anymore.  We're rational adults and we should be able to talk rationally without breaking out into a fist fight or shouting match.  DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"  I yell at both of them.

"Umm…Ginny…"  Harry says smiling slightly.  "You might want to put on…"

"…the jacket," Draco finishes holding it out to me.

I grab it and yank it on, feeling my cheeks redden somewhat.  "Oh, come on!" I say irritably to both of them.  "It's nothing you two haven't seen before!"

Harry coughs uncomfortably and Draco shifts his weight slightly. 

"So what's this all about?" I ask, crossing my arms.  I stare hard at both of them.

Harry looks at Draco from the corner of his eye, but Draco doesn't move to say anything.  Harry sighs.  "Ginny, I know you're cross with Draco, and rightly so.  He was dishonest and conniving and…"

"Potter…"

"Wait your turn, Malfoy," I say crossly.  I look at Harry to continue.

"And I never thought I'd say this, but he deserves a second chance.  He loves you, despite the past.  At first, I just wanted to get back at him for what he did to you.  But the more I looked into things the more I found out that he's not as bad as you'd expect from a Malfoy.  He really has changed."

I frown slightly.  Has hell frozen over?  Because if I didn't know better I'd think that Harry was close to singing Draco's praises.  I look over at Draco, but find that he too is staring at Harry as if he's grown a second head.

"From all I've managed to gather Malfoy returned to England when he found his wife with another man."

"How the hell do you know that?"  Draco asks, looking slightly pale.

"I have my sources," Harry says regarding him closely.  "Despite what you believe, my job does involve more than sharpening pencils."  After a moment where Draco says nothing he goes back to narrating.  "That was six months ago, when his company acquired the Witch Weekly.  At first he refused to grant his wife a divorce, as she was keen on marrying the married man she was having the affair with.  However, when the married man refused to leave his wife she tried to reconcile things between Malfoy and her."  Harry looks over at Draco who is still staring at him in shock.  "But by that time it was too late."

Harry meets my eyes.  "He was already in love with someone else."

I pull Draco's jacket tighter around me.

The door from the Great Hall swings open and Percy sticks his head out of the door.

"Harry!  There you are, I've been looking all over for you.  Have you seen my pictures of Andrew?"

"Well…I…no?" Harry  says looking confused.

Percy smiles widely and rushes forward with his small black book.

"Weasley, keep that book away from me," Draco says snapping out of his open mouthed shock and moving away from Percy and towards me. "I'm warning you, if you show me that picture of that bloody diaper one more time I'm going to incinerate that book of yours."

"Percy, we were kind of having a moment…" I say giving him a I-hope-you-understand look.

"Oh," Percy says frowning slightly.  "Right.  Sorry to intrude."

He turns and walks back towards the door, his shoulders bent in a pathetic display of defeat.

I turn and look at the two men in front of me.  I open my mouth, only to hear the door open again.  I turn and once again see Percy peeking out of it.

"Ginny, did I show you the pictures in my wallet?  Most of them are doubles but some…"

"Percy, I'm coming," Harry says with a shake of his head.  "You can show me, alright?"

Percy's eyes light up.  Harry looks back at Draco and me, "I think I've said everything I can say anyway."

I watch as they disappear through the doors and then turn back to Draco.

"Is that true?" I ask Draco.  "What he said?"

"God, I hope not," Draco says.  "That little boy is going to go blind with all the bloody pictures he's taken of him.  Not to mention the torture it inflicts on others…"

"I mean about your wife," I say.  "Did she cheat on you?"

"Yes," he says looking away from me.  "Not really something I like to brag about."

"But she wanted to get back together."

He looks up at me.  "And I told her I didn't love her anymore.  Just when I was ready to give her the divorce she wasn't ready to give me one."

"That's why you made those trips to New York?"

"I was trying to get her to agree to the divorce.  She didn't take my rejection well though, she demanded that I hand over everything.  And I wasn't about to give in like that.  I'd built myself up for ten years, scraping and saving and finally getting a fortune back together.  I'd worked too hard to just give it all up.  I tried to talk her down.  I didn't want to tell her about you, I knew she'd complicate things."

"So it was me or your money?" I ask, fitting the pieces of the puzzles together. 

"You could put it that way," he says softly. 

"But you did give it up, didn't you?  You divorced her?"

"I paid the less expensive price.  When you left that night I realized that there was no expense great enough that warranted you walking out of my life.  I thought maybe I could apologize, I thought maybe I could get you to understand.  But by that time it was too late.  I had waited to long.  In one night I lost everything."

I blink, trying to fight back the tickling behind my eyes that means I'm tearing up. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" I whisper.

"Because," he says sighing.  "I was a fool.  I'd messed up so badly, I didn't think you'd ever trust me again.  And your resignation letter pretty much crushed any hopes I had of getting back together.  There's nothing like hate mail to express one's hate."

I sniff as a tear slides down my cheek.  He reaches out and brushes it away.

"That night," I say, "when you came to my flat…you didn't even stay.  You didn't even try to stay and make me understand."

"I wanted to," he whispers stepping toward me.  "But I couldn't see you cry.  Not because of me.  It hurt too much."

I close my eyes and feel too more tears slide down.  I open my eyes and reach out, grabbing his shirt and pulling him towards me.

"I'm tired of crying over you," I say closing the distance between us and kissing him on the mouth.  I can feel myself melting into his kiss the way I used to.  He pulls me closer to him, wrapping his arms around me and sending shivers down my spine as his fingers travel under his jacket and touch my exposed back.  I run my fingers through his hair, as the warmth of his kiss sends tingles of excitement through my body.

I close my eyes, feeling more tears fall.  This is what I've been longing for the last six weeks.  This is what I've been missing.  His smell, his taste, his arms around me.  It feels like I've come home.  And the only thing I'm thinking at the moment is that I don't ever want to leave again.

I can faintly hear the door open again and the thin voice of Gwen travel over to us.

"Virginia, dear, it's time for the party pictures…Oh my!"

I break away from Draco's kiss and look over at her.

"I'll just be a minute, Gwen," I say smiling over at her.

"Yes…well…" she says looking a bit flustered.  "Do hurry, will you?  And for Merlin's sake, take off that jacket."

She turns around and hurries back inside looking as if her panties are all in a twist.

"I dare you to take off that jacket for the pictures," Draco says grinning at me.

I smile and kiss him on the lips again.

He looks at me for a long moment, he hasn't let go of me since the kiss.  "So does this mean you forgive me?"

"No.  That's going to take time," I say shaking my head.  "And it's going to cost you dearly."

"A company car?" he asks.

"Definitely," I say smiling.  "And no more secrets."

"No more," he says seriously.

"You don't have any other wives or children you should tell me about do you?  Speak now or forever hold your peace."

"Well, there is that showgirl in Diagon Alley, but it's never been proven that the kid is mine."

I stare at him in shock.

"I'm kidding,' he says pinching me lightly.  "What about you?  Any rebound boyfriends or children I should know about."

"Excuse me, I don't rebound and I happen to hate children," I pause looking up at him nervously.  "Oh, there is one thing that you should know about."

"What?" he asks frowning slightly. 

"I sort of have a new pet," I say biting my lip.

"Oh?" he asks raising an eyebrow.  "Like a cat or fish or something."

"Actually," I say, "It's a puppy…named Draco."

"I see," he says frowning at me.
"Well, I had to have something named Draco sleeping with me.  You're a tough habit to break."

He laughs and pulls me close to him.  "Well it seems like we have a lot of playing catch up to do."  He leans down and kisses me again making me go weak in the knees.  I actually find myself wondering if there are any deserted closets anywhere.  I mean, I'm half undressed anyway under this jacket…

"Draco, stop," I say breathlessly as I push him away trying to catch my breath and clear my head.  "We've got to get through this wedding first."

"Are you sure?  I mean, your dress is ruined and…"

"We can leave early," I say in a rush.

"Right, let's get it over with," he says taking my hand and leading me towards the doors.  "When you say early you mean ten minutes?"

"Thirty."

"Twenty."

"Twenty five."

"Deal," he says opening the door for me.  There is the sound of excited screaming and yells and suddenly I see a pink and white blur moving towards me through the open doorway.  My Quidditch instincts take over and I reach up and grab it.

I lower my hand to find Karen's bridal bouquet in my hand.  I stare down at it in shock as people rush forward to congratulate me. 

"Wow, that Karen's got an arm on her, hasn't she?" George says from the crowd.

"Looks like you're next," Ron says appearing beside me.  "Now you've just got to find a groom, since you've made it painfully clear you won't be marrying Harry."

"Oh, well, I don't plan on getting married for a long, long time," I say smiling at him.  I look over my shoulder at Draco who is still standing in the doorway smiling at back me.  "But something tells me that when the time comes, finding the groom won't be a problem."  I look back at Ron. 

"The real problem will be breaking it to mum."

* * * * *

A/N:  God, I'm about to cry as I write this.  I know, it's ridiculous for me to get this emotional about a fan fiction story, but you have to understand that this has been an active part of my life for the last year or so.  I love this story so much and it has been so much fun to write and plan out.  It's opened doors for me emotionally, mentally, and professionally.  I have grown along with this fic and it is something that I'm never going to regret doing.  Just a note of encouragement to other fan fiction writers.  Keep writing!  Before this I was notorious for starting things and never finishing.  You've just got to find the right story and keep at it.  Believe me, your hard work will pay off in ways you've never imagined.

Special Thanks to Becca, who has approved every piece of this fic since I decided to share it with her early on in the process.  Thank you so much for all of your love and support and brutal honesty.  This fic is finished because you wouldn't let me give up on it.  Thankyouthankyouthankyou!  Dani, the only person besides myself that has read every single thing I've ever written.  Thank you so much for your squees and words of encouragement and for just being an awesome, awesome friend and source of inspiration.  Priya,  for seeing so much in this story and allowing me to fulfill another dream of mine.  Without you I'm not sure I ever would have picked back up on things last January.  You have done so much more for me than you will ever realize.  Mantha, for giving me the 411 on the do's and don'ts of wearing a corset, I'd be clueless without you.  Becky,  for always lending me an ear, even when you think I'm going slightly insane.  And for always giving me great ideas, even though you'd rather be doing other things.  Jess, thank you for letting me bombard you with tons of text to read and then demand an opinion on.  Also, thanks for providing more than a little inspiration for the end of this chapter.And last, but not least,  LOLA, for being my first reviewer and sticking with me until the very end.  You have meant more to me than you know!  MUAH!

Thank you everyone who took the time to review.  I never imagined one of my stories would get this kind of overwhelming response.  I didn't give up on this story because the reviewers refused to let me.  I have cherished every single line of encouragement, comment of constructive criticism and will remember always each compliment.  Thank you so much for giving me faith in myself and in my writing. 

Please write one last review, and I shall love you.  Write one last long review and I shall love you forever!  For those of you readers who have been with me this whole time and haven't reviewed, please do.  I'd like to hear from you.  You've played such a big part in everything it seems a shame not to know who you are or what you think about WIELBY.  If anyone would ever like to write me my address is booksmartbrilliance@msn.com.

ShortySC22, Happy Holidays to you as well!

Shae-Goddess, No!  You rock!  Thank you so much for all your encouragement!

Wizzabee, Awww, Harry's not all that bad.

Sara Wackadoo, Thank you for all of your reviews!

Flavaoftheweek, Thanks for sticking it out with me.  I'd still love to see that artwork if you ever get a chance.  If not, I understand. 

Voicezwithin, I'm so glad you love my story.  Thank you for your review!

Dangerously in Love, Thank you so much for your review.  I hope the Draconess in this chapter is enough to make up for the last.

RonWeasley1975, Thank you so much for all your reviews.  They've meant a lot to me thorough the months you've been following the story.  I hope the ending met your expectations.

Arafel2, :D

Organized Mess, LOL, I think I'd prefer someone proposing to me in a less painful way, but it is kind of carelessly romantic, isn't it?

FemmeDraconis, Thank you so much for your kind reviews!  I think they'll look back fondly on their engagement as well.  At least I hope so.

Lola, what can I say?  You've been with me since the beginning.  *mad schnoogles*

Fieryazn1124, well, this is the last chapter to be added, thank you so much for reviewing.

Carrotorpedo, you got lucky,  I updated sooner than usual

Aly, thank you so much for your words of encouragement

Catelina, Thank you for your compliments!  I hope you enjoyed the next and final step in the saga

Irislove, I hope that you are satisfied by this ending.  D/G forever!

Astryd_nyx, Thank you so much for your lovely review.  It left me absolutely speechless.  It's people like you that make people like me want to be better writers.  If you ever want to chat or anything feel free to email me.

Malfoyelf, Turn from Draco?  Never!

PottyforPotter, Yeah, I couldn't help but go for a little cheese in the last chapter.  You know how I love my Ron and Hermione :D  Hope all is well with you and hopefully I'll be able to catch you online some point during the break!