CHAPTER 7
Two weeks before Gin came to London, she made a resolution that she wouldn't buy any new clothes until fall. Three days later she'd been strolling down the street with Allegra when she saw a Vivienne Tam kimono dress on sale. Two days after that, Gin happened to spot a pair of Jimmy Choo's that would match a skirt she had perfectly. So, before she came to London, she once again solemnly resolved not to buy anymore clothes for the entire six week stay. Of course, when Gin had come to London, she didn't know she'd be spending a Saturday night with Draco Malfoy and his fiancé.
"What about this one?" Gin asked Luna as she stepped outside the fitting room.
"Too drab, try on the next one." Luna responded.
Gin changed into the next outfit and came outside.
"Red on a Redhead, I don't think so."
So, Gin went back into the dressing room, put on her clothes and went back to shopping.
"This is so frustrating." Gin complained.
"Don't worry, we'll find something. I still can't believe you agreed to a double date with Draco and evil Olivia tonight."
"Trust me Luna, I tried to get out of it, but eventually it would've gotten back to Mum and I would've been guilted into it anyway." What Gin didn't mention to Luna was that a little part of her was excited about this. Not that she cared about what Draco thought, but it might not be so bad for him to see Gin being fawned over by sexy Dean Thomas. Now, the only problem was what to wear.
It was now 9:30 and, as usual, Gin was running late. She had asked Dean to meet her half an hour before Draco and Olivia got there. She had told Dean it was so that she could get a feel for the place for her column, but the truth was that she was going to need a drink before she saw Draco with his fiancé.
Luckily, she looked fabulous. Luna had finally stumbled on the most gorgeous Marc Jacobs top; Gin would be eating Ramen noodles for a month to pay for it, but what could she do? The top was a gorgeous shade of turquoise that made Gin's eyes really pop. It was also silk, which gave it that "you know you want to touch me" feel. Spaghetti straps held up the shirt which draped into a soft cowl and gave just the right enticing hint of cleavage. She'd made sure to wear her sexiest La Perla strapless bra that did amazing things for her boobs. The outfit was completed with her tight black pants, black Christian Louboutin stiletto's, and her adorable black Dior clutch. She wore her hair down in soft waves, the way Draco had always liked it.
At last she arrived at the bar and found Dean outside waiting for her. He was wearing a pair of black trousers with a burgundy polo shirt and Gin noticed again how good looking he was. "Sorry I'm late." Gin apologized.
Dean took a step back and looked Gin up and down. "You are definitely worth the wait" Dean said seductively.
"Oh I know," Gin gave a flirty wink, "now let's get inside. I need a drink."
Gin and Dean had settled into some chairs at the bar. Gin ordered a Dragontini with a twist and Dean ordered a rum and Butterbeer.
Gin drank her first Dragontini quickly to take the edge off her nervousness. She was feeling a bit calmer 20 minutes later when Draco and Olivia walked in.
Draco spotted Gin and Dean the moment he and Olivia had walked in the door. She looked more amazing then usual. The room suddenly became quiet; everyone else faded away and there was only Gin. Draco breathed deeply trying to savor this perfect moment.
"Draco darling, I see them over there." Olivia said, snapping him out of his trance. The couple walked over to meet them.
Gin had been flirting heavily with Dean when Draco and Olivia walked over. Instantly Gin felt butterflies in her stomach. "My God, he's sexy." Gin thought. Draco was about 6'2"; his blond hair had that intentional messy look about it. He wore a gray and white vertical striped button down shirt untucked over a pair of slightly distressed jeans. The thing that overwhelmed Gin though, was his intense gray eyes. After all these years, she still felt like his eyes could see right down inside her.
"Hello Ginny," he said and then turned to Dean, "Dean it's so good to see you. How long's it been?"
As the two men began to talk, Olivia turned to Gin. "Ginny it's so nice to see you again."
"Good to see you too." Gin tried to sound sincere.
"Ginny," Olivia started, "I'm sorry about the way I acted when we first met. I was just having a really bad day and I took it out on you. I really apologize for that."
She seemed sincere, but Gin was still skeptical. She tried to make the best of the situation though, "its fine Olivia, we all have those days."
"I really want us to start over. Your family is so important to Draco and he's always saying you're like a sister to him."
"A sister!" Gin thought, "He says I'm like his sister! Is that how he refers to all the girls he's shagged!"
Gin wanted to slap him, but she was forced to smile. "Let's go sit at a table." She said to the group.
The group found a table and a waiter came to take there order. Gin and Dean ordered two more of the same, Draco ordered a gin and tonic, and Olivia ordered a diet Butterbeer. Apparently, Olivia wasn't much of a drinker.
At this point Gin finally noticed what Olivia was wearing. She had chosen a gray, knee length, pleated skirt with a lavender cardigan buttoned all the way up. It was a lovely outfit, but it was the kind Gin would've worn to a nice dinner or a meeting with her editor, it certainly wasn't something you'd wear to a place like this.
Gin figured that this wasn't the type of place Olivia frequented. Draco, on the other hand had mentioned that he used to come to this bar quite a lot. Gin figured he came in his single days. "He probably met more 'sisters' here." Gin thought angrily. Just then the waiter arrived with their drinks and Gin started drinking her second Dragontini even faster then the first.
The group started making small talk and they were all doing a pretty good job of hiding there feelings. Olivia was doing her best to pretend that she cared about pathetic Ginny Weasley and wanted to be her friend. Draco was trying to make conversation with Dean, who he found very arrogant and boring, but all he wanted to do was talk to Gin. Gin was getting drunk and had a fake smile plastered to her face. She was trying her best not to strangle Olivia and slap Draco. As for Dean, he couldn't have been more annoyed. He wasn't interested in reminiscing about Hogwarts with Draco Malfoy. Gin looked so sexy. All Dean wanted was to get her back to his place and out of those clothes.
Gin had noticed that Dean knew a lot of people at the bar. Most of the people he knew seemed to be woman. Gin had the feeling that Dean Thomas was quite the Playboy. She didn't mind though. It wasn't as if Gin was looking to marry him; she just needed a good healthy fling and Dean was perfect for that.
As Gin got drunker she moved closer and closer to Dean. She held his hand, leaned her cheek against shoulder, and laughed at everything he said. She knew she was acting like she was 15, but she didn't care. She kept glancing at Draco and, though he was trying hard not to look, she could tell he was noticing.
For her part Olivia was also a bit clingy towards Draco. She wasn't usually very affectionate, but Draco barely noticed. He was doing his best to act interested in what Dean was saying while Ginny draped herself all over the arrogant prig.
Gin and Olivia chatted with Olivia holding up most of the conversation. Olivia didn't mind, since she loved talking about herself. Gin sat there continuing to smile, nod, and drink Dragontinis for the better part of two hours. She was bored and miserable, which was a shame since this bar was so Gin's scene.
"So," Olivia said, "Ginny, Draco informs me that you'll be here for a few more weeks."
"That's right," Gin answered, slurring a little, "I'm on assignment."
"Well then, you must come to our engagement party."
At this Draco stopped speaking to Dean in mid sentence. Gin nearly spat out her drink. "Oh, well thank you," she said, "I appreciate the invitation, but well"
"Ginny I will not take no for an answer. Draco considers all of the Weasleys family and we want you all there, right Draco?"
"Yes, yes of course." Draco tried to sound sincere and all eyes turned to Gin.
"Well then," she said, "I guess it's settled. I'll be there." Gin ordered another Dragontini.
Olivia addressed Ginny again. "Gin I'm dying for you to tell me what Draco was like at University."
"University?" Gin tried to play dumb.
"Yes. You're Mum mentioned to me that you two studied in Spain at the same time."
This time it was Draco who spoke. "We barely saw each other in Spain," he lied.
"Nonsense," Olivia said looking at Ginny, "you two were in the same program. You must have some good stories about Draco."
"No, actually Draco's right we hung out in different circles. We really didn't spend much time with each other."
Olivia giggled. "I think Draco's done a great job of cleaning up his past for me. He doesn't think I know that he was quite a playboy before we met."
"Olivia!" Draco exclaimed.
"See what I mean. I don't care what he's done in his past. I know I'm his only woman now. He doesn't want me to know about all the girls before me, though. He's such a gentleman."
"Yes," Gin said bitterly and took another gulp of her drink, "he's a real gentleman."
A few minutes later Olivia excused herself to "powder her nose". Gin excused herself too, saying she needed some fresh air. The truth was Gin went to hunt for a cigarette. She'd quit over a year ago, but right at that moment Gin didn't care. She headed outside and bummed a cigarette off of some people waiting to get in.
Back inside Dean had started talking to one of the many women he seemed to know. Draco took this opportunity to sneak outside and check on Ginny. When he stepped outside he found her leaning against the wall smoking. He walked over to her. "Since when do you do that?" He asked.
She looked up. "Since when do you care?"
"Ginny, I"
"Why do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Why do you insist on calling me Ginny? It's Gin! Everyone calls me Gin! For Merlin's sake, you're the one who started calling me Gin in the first place. You remember, in Spain, where we barely saw each other!"
Draco was stunned for a moment. Then he reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. "Ginny. Gin, I'm sorry. This isn't how I wanted things to be." They looked into each other eyes and suddenly everything seemed perfect. Gin threw the cigarette down and laid her head on his chest. Draco put his arms around her and breathed in deeply. She smelled like vanilla and lavender.
After a minute Draco spoke. "Gin, I am who I am because of you."
Suddenly the spell was broken. Gin realized where she was and what she was doing. She pushed Draco away. "And who exactly are you?" she asked defensively.
"What," Draco stammered, "you of all people should know the answer to that question."
"Please I don't think you even know."
"What is wrong with you?" He shot back angrily.
"What's wrong with me?" she spat, "What's wrong with you? Look at you. Mr. Good Guy. You're no longer that selfish, spoiled little boy, right? Please! Give me a break! You don't seem to know who you are, always hanging around The Burrow pretending you're just one of the family. Meanwhile, you're still going to all your society functions, playing the part of the perfect Malfoy heir and being engaged to the fabulous Olivia DeLaurene. You, Draco Malfoy, are pathetic!"
Draco looked stricken. Was this really what Gin thought of him? His shock was quickly replaced with anger. "How dare you judge me? I may not be perfect, but I try every day to be a better person. I'm not out until all hours of the night, getting drunk, smoking cigarettes, and hanging all over whoever happens to be closest to me. I thought we really knew each other, but I was wrong. I also thought Spain meant something, but I guess I was wrong about that too."
"Spain was just a bit of fun, right? Just two kids at University having a good time? Draco, you've made it quite clear what Spain was."
"What the hell are you talking about? No, wait don't answer. I don't want to know. You're drunk and belligerent and I see no reason to continue this conversation. Now, hurry up and get back inside, Dean's lap must be getting cold." With that Draco turned and went back inside.
