Author's Note: I know I'm getting repetitive but I want to think everyone, once again, for reviewing. It's quite a relief to know some people enjoyed the last chapter, as you can imagine how embarrassing it would be if I was the only one who saw any humor with Draco's pretense of "engagement." I also want to assure you, that I am seriously taking all your suggestions to heart. To Miss Black: Here is this chapter you have been waiting for! I hope it meets your expectations. To Delta2002 KryptonBlue, ^_^, I promise you there will be more "Matilda bashing," a little in this chapter, and more later. Hehehe, I wouldn't want to deprive myself of such fun! I hope you guys all like this chapter as much as the last one…and if you don't, please let me know so I can make it better! ^_^
† Marigold
Chapter 7: Down Diagon Alley
Ginny was absolutely furious with Draco, and he evidently realized it, judging from the broad smirk and wicked twinkle in his eye as they bustled down busy Diagon Alley. Ginny was still fuming from Draco's antics in Madame Malkin's store when they reached the Witch's Cosmetics shop. Knowing better than to bring Draco in with her to buy any cosmetics, Ginny adjusted the handcuffs binding them and told Draco to visit the neighboring the store and behave.
"You're just afraid I'll embarrass you if I come with you to the cosmetics shop," Draco smirked, folding his arms accusingly.
'Exactly," Ginny replied, her eyes flashing in annoyance at the memory. "Which is why I don't want you coming in with me. So go visit Smells and Gels and buy yourself some hair gel or cologne for the dance and maybe," Ginny smiled nastily, prodding him into the store, "you'll attract Matilda Verint's attention again."
Draco shuddered at the name. "I—"
But Ginny had already stepped into Witch's Cosmetics, leaving Draco no choice but to amuse himself with various smelling colognes for the time being.
Witch's Cosmetics was a colorful shop with tables and shelves lined with vibrantly colored makeup. Color- Changing Lip Stick, one poster advertised, showing a moving picture of a hand applying bright-red lip stick which changed to a pale pink and then deep maroon. There was Draw-It- Straight eyeliner, which was spelled so a witch could only apply the make up on perfectly in a straight line, Blemish- free blush, which covered any skin blemishes, and Cry-Free mascara, which was not only waterproof but smear proof as well. And of course, the newest product, Bertha Bott's Every Flavor Lip Gloss, was being advertised quite vigorously by a screaming cardboard mouth.
Ginny only selected a few items; she wasn't a big fan for make-up, but somethings, like Bertha's Bott's lemon sherbet lip gloss, was simply irresistible.
Draco, meanwhile, had been browsing Smells and Gels, selecting anything that even remotely appealed to him. When Ginny found him after buying her own cosmetics, he was paying for thirty to forty expensive bottles of odd, magical crap.
Ginny gaped open-mouthed at the huge pile of bottles Draco was rolling in his cart. "Don't you think you're being a little extravagant?" she asked sarcastically.
Draco frowned. "This isn't extravagant," he protested seriously. "I wanted to get twenty more items but at the last minute, I saw this wizard looking like Longbottom buying the same products I was, so I put back the bottles."
Ginny rolled her eyes, suppressing a disgusted snort. "Looks like someone's set out to impress Miss Verint," she jabbed.
The horrified look on Draco's face was priceless. "I am not," he retorted haughtily. "That friend of yours is all fuss and frills—totally beneath a Malfoy's attention."
"Oh no, am I beneath the great, prestigious Malfoys too?" Ginny mocked, pretending to be awed, but there was an undeniable scornful sneer on her face.
Draco grinned, a wicked gleam in his eye. "No," Draco drawled, stepping closer to Ginny so his breath was warm against her cheek. "Remember? You're my fiance, so you're just right for me. Didn't it occur to you that all these bottles of cologne and gel are for you?"
Ginny flushed red and stepped hastily away from Draco. "Hahaha," she muttered, looking clearly flustered. "Very funny. I think you can drop the act now."
"But why?" Draco smirked, drawing a hand around Ginny's waist. "I think you rather enjoy it."
"Draco!" Ginny hissed, her cheeks flushing bright red. "There are people watching!" But she didn't try to remove the hand, resting comfortably around her. As Draco had so disturbingly pointed out, she did rather like it. Although, Ginny would never admit that.
"You mean Darren," Draco corrected smoothly. "And where are we off to now?" His eyes glimmered with fun. "To buy our wedding rings?"
Ginny made a face. "That happens the day after never. But," Ginny paused reflectively, "I do need to get some jewelry. This way, Darren." She made a sharp turn down a half-hidden street and stepped into Isabelle's Fine Jewelry. Draco looked around the store curiously. Shiny metals and polished gems gleamed from behind unbreakable glass and sat displayed on silk cushions. One gorgeous emerald hung, magically suspended in air, behind a glass case, it's smooth facets reflecting the light.
The Mermaid's Tear, a sign hanging beneath the emerald read. Believed to bring fortune upon whoever owns it.
Behind the Mermaid's Tear, was Ginny, gazing intently at the display of rings.
"I think this is a little more than you can afford," Draco drawled stepping from behind Ginny.
Ginny whirled around in surprise and frowned when she saw who it was. "I know," she snapped irritably. "But I can look at it can't I?" She sighed wistfully, looking back down at one particularly beautiful ring. "The Dragonhart Garnet, I've always wanted one. But it costs a thousand galleons! Can you imagine that?" Draco glanced at the ring. He never cared for the Dragonheart Garnet, but now because Ginny liked it, he found himself looking at the stone more appreciatively. A rustle of movement told Draco that Ginny had moved on to look at something more affordable. Draco looked down at the ring once more.
"May I help you?" A witch from behind the counter inquired politely.
"I'd like to see the Dragonheart Garnet ring over here," Draco told the clerk.
"This one?" the clerk pulled out the ring and set it on the counter.
Draco picked up the delicate gold band with the garnet embedded in it. The ring was small, far too small for Draco, but it would have fit perfectly on Ginny's slim fingers. The more Draco looked at the ring, the more he wanted it, and the more he wanted to buy it….for Ginny. The garnet winked under the light, enticing Draco with its polished perfection and deep, dark red beauty. Glancing up, Draco saw Ginny was on the other side of the store, absorbed with a set of necklaces and bracelets. Making a rapid decision, Draco looked at the clerk waiting before him.
"I'd like to buy this ring," Draco said. "Make the payment to the Gringrott's vault number two hundred thirty-eight."
The witch nodded and cushioned the ring in an elegant box before giving it to Draco.
"Does the ring have any magical qualities?" Draco inquired curiously.
"Only, the natural magical qualities of any Dragonheart stone; it can store and channel magic like a wand and with a tracing spell, it can locate another Dragonheart stone of the same gem. So if lose this ring and buy a second one, you can use your second ring to locate the first one."
Draco nodded his thanks to the clerk, and carefully stowed the ring in a pocket.
Meanwhile, Ginny had been fascinating herself with the many necklaces with moving pendants. "Find anything you want?" Draco whispered by her ear. Ginny felt herself jump with pleasant surprise by Draco's unexpected appearance. Trying to ignore the fluttery feeling in her stomach, Ginny held up a chain sporting a silver unicorn pendant.
"What do you think?" Ginny asked, as the unicorn snorted and pawed against her hand.
Draco shook his head, "Never fancied unicorns. How about this?" He held up a tiny gold dragon, its wings unfurled with outstreched talons and snapping jaws. "Vicious little thing, isn't it?" Draco said admiringly as the dragon thrashed in his hand and huffed harmless puffs of smoke."
Ginny looked at the pendant doubtfully. "I wanted something…nicer," she objected, but reluctantly held up her hand to hold the tiny dragon. Almost as soon as the dragon touched Ginny, it calmed down and curled up into a tiny ball against Ginny's thumb, murmuring contentedly. Ginny stared at the dragon's unexpected transformation.
"Well, looks like the dragon's attached to you," Draco snickered.
Ginny gently stroked a finger down the dragon's ridged back. "I rather like it myself," she decided. "I think I'll buy it."
A couple minutes later, Draco and Ginny walked out of the jewelry store, the dragon pendant resting contentedly at the base of Ginny's neck. Isn't it odd how the dragon was tamed almost immediately by Ginny's touch? Draco wondered to himself, eyeing the golden pendant. One moment, it's a vicious little tyke and the next moment, it turns about as tame as the unicorn. Reminds me a bit…of myself. Draco bit down on the thought quickly before one thought led to another.
But inside his cloak, sat the Dragonheart ring, the ring Draco had bought for Ginny, and if nothing else, that alone showed how much Ginny had changed Draco.