Chapter 32
"Are you sure this is really necessary?" Ginny asked, wincing as Pansy pulled tighter on her hair. Narcissa hid her smile and continued brushing her own hair.
"Yes, it is, and quit being such a baby!" Pansy said, laughing. "I'm not pulling it that hard. Besides, it looks better when it's done by hand instead of magic."
"She's right, dear," Narcissa said, nodding. "It's tighter and it lasts longer. When you use magic, the hair tends to fall after only an hour or so." Ginny sighed.
"All right," she breathed, wincing again. Pansy was trying to pull her hair up into a tight, sleek ponytail.
"So," Pansy said, reaching for a hair band. "Has Draco said anything else about the bracelet you got him?" Narcissa turned at this and gave the girls a quizzical look.
"What bracelet?"
"Ginny bought him a bracelet and had it engraved with his name," Pansy said. Ginny blushed as Narcissa beamed at her. "And she had something engraved inside, but she won't tell me what it was."
"It's private," Ginny said defensively.
"Come on," Pansy wheedled. "You know you can trust me and Narcissa. We won't tell him it's there." Ginny laughed.
"Fine," she sighed. "But only if you promise you'll be easier with my scalp," she said, wincing.
"I promise." Narcissa halted her brushing and sat down, giving Ginny an attentive look.
"I had the jeweler engrave something on the underside of the bracelet," she admitted. "But only because I didn't think he'd notice it."
"What did you have engraved?"
"It says 'Je t'adore.'" Narcissa sighed dreamily, and Pansy frowned.
"Huh?"
"It's French for 'I love you," Narcissa answered, her eyes misting over. Pansy sighed.
"That is so romantic," she breathed. Ginny laughed softly.
"Care to take bets on how long it'll be before he figures out there's something there?"
"That's awful," Narcissa laughed. "I'm putting my money on today." Pansy raised her eyebrows.
"You have too high of an opinion of Draco's observation skills," she said, clucking her tongue. "I'll put my bet on a week from now." Ginny laughed as Pansy and Narcissa both pulled out a galleon each, then handed them to her.
"I wasn't serious," she said, giggling. Then, "All right. I'll put my bet on two weeks from now." She got up and went to the dresser, pulling a galleon out of a small black velvet bag. "Where should we put these until we know?"
"Why don't we give the money to Ron?" Pansy suggested.
"Ron might want in on the bet, though," Ginny said thoughtfully.
"You're not afraid that if he knew, he'd tell Draco?" Narcissa asked. Ginny frowned.
"Oh, that's a good point. Narcissa, why don't you keep it?"
"All right," she said, nodding. "I'll keep it in my vanity drawer. I think you're both going to be surprised, though."
"Why?"
"I think Draco's more attentive to detail than you think."
Pansy laughed, and then turned to Ginny. "Where's your dress?"
"It's in the closet." She moved in front of the open closet doors, and then pulled out a plastic bag. She removed the plastic and pulled the dress out, and Pansy gasped.
"It's beautiful!" She stepped forward and gingerly fingered the satiny material. Narcissa had chosen the dress for her the day they'd gone shopping together in Paris, and she had to admit that she would have never chosen the dress herself, simply because of its price tag.
It was a flowing gown of the palest blue. Strapless and ornate with hundreds of tiny pearls embroidered on the skirt, it had looked to Ginny as though it were fit for a bride, and not just a guest at a wedding. Pansy looked longingly at Ginny's gown one last time before withdrawing her own dress from its protective plastic cover. Hers was a dusky rose color with simple spaghetti straps. She held up a single strand of pearls that she was going to wear with it, and smiled.
"Mum let me borrow her great-great-grandmother's pearls to wear."
"They're beautiful," Ginny said, realizing that she had a strapless dress, and nothing to wear in the way of jewelry. Narcissa seemed to read her mind.
"I've been meaning to give something to you, Ginevra," she said, rising from her seat. She pulled a long black box out of the bag she'd used to carry her beauty products from her room and handed it to Ginny. "I was in the vault yesterday, looking for some jewelry to wear myself, and I saw this. I just knew it would be perfect with your dress."
Ginny shot her a curious look as she opened the lid, and she gasped. Inside was a diamond choker. She looked up at Narcissa in surprise. "Are you sure you want me to wear this? I wouldn't want to damage it or anything."
"It's not an heirloom, so it can easily be replaced," Narcissa said, shaking her head. "I bought it to wear at my wedding."
"Then it is an heirloom, for your grandchildren," Ginny objected. Narcissa gave her a smile that she wondered at, and then patted her arm gently.
"I want you to wear it. Please. For me."
Ginny's face softened. "All right. Thank you." She took her dress into the bathroom to change, and Pansy moved closer to Narcissa.
"When is he going to propose?" she whispered. Narcissa shrugged.
"He didn't say," she whispered back. "But he did take the ring, so I'm thinking he'll do it sooner than later."
"Can someone help me zip this up?" Ginny called. Pansy went into the bathroom to help her. When they emerged, Narcissa smiled. Ginny looked radiant in her dress; her creamy skin was almost glowing in the afternoon sunlight, and her copper hair shone. Ginny gave her a nervous smile.
"How do I look?"
"Beautiful," Narcissa said, tears springing to her eyes. Ginny went to her and wrapped her arms around her.
"Why are you crying?"
"I'm just so happy," she said, sniffling. Pansy handed her a tissue and grinned. "You've made my family so happy. Draco is happier than I've ever seen him, and his being happy makes Lucius happy." Ginny laughed softly.
"I'm glad I'm doing something to repay all of your kindnesses."
"All right, ladies. Enough blubbering," Pansy said, her voice authoritative. "Who's going to help me into my dress?"
Ron smoothed out the front of his suit, and then looked in the mirror. "I feel like a penguin," he grumbled.
"That's good, because you look like one," Draco drawled. Ron laughed and threw his tie at him.
"Now, now, boys," Lucius laughed. Draco smiled.
"Sorry, Father." Draco adjusted his tie, and then reached for his ID bracelet, which was sitting on top of the bureau. His father saw it and arched an eyebrow.
"What is that?"
"It's something Ginny gave me yesterday," Draco said, grinning. Lucius stepped closer and examined it as Draco held it out.
"What does it say?"
"It's got my name engraved on it," he said. Lucius shook his head.
"No, what does it say on the back side?" Draco frowned.
"It doesn't say anything on the-"his voice died on his lips as he turned it over and saw the tiny script engraved on the underside. Lucius read the script, then clapped his son on the shoulder.
"Have you asked her already, then?" Draco didn't answer. Ron waved his hand in front of Draco's face, trying to get him to blink.
"Does this say what I think it says?" he breathed. Ron arched his neck, trying to look over Draco's shoulder.
"What does it say? I can't read Spanish."
"It's French," Lucius said, smiling. "What do you think it says, Draco?" Draco met his father's eyes.
"She loves me?" Ron rolled his eyes.
"You already knew that."
"I've heard other people say it. I haven't heard her say it."
"You wore that thing for a whole day and didn't notice that there was writing on it?" Ron asked, amused. Draco slipped the bracelet on and fumbled with the clasp with shaking hands. After he'd fastened it, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. Ron's eyes got wide as Draco turned and held it up to him. "As much as we've gotten along lately, I don't think I'm ready for marriage just yet," Ron said, batting his eyelashes. Lucius roared with laughter, and Draco's face turned pink.
"It's not for you, you twit. It's for your sister." Ron looked at the ring again, then looked back up at Draco.
"I hope you know what you're getting into," he said, shaking his head. "As soon as you get married, my mother will be hounding you nonstop for grandchildren." Draco grinned and shot a glance at his father.
"She'll have to beat my Mother to it, then." He paused in thought, and then looked up at Ron. "Do you think she'll say yes?"
"When have you ever been uncertain about women?" Ron teased. He looked up and saw the serious look on Draco's face and sighed. "If what Pansy tells me is true, she'll be putty in your hands." Draco took a deep breath and nodded as he placed the ring back in his pocket.
"How about you?" Draco asked, reaching for his dress cloak. Ron gave him a blank look.
"How about me what?"
"Are you and Pansy dating, or what?" Ron smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
"I suppose so."
"Hurt her and I'll kill you."
"Why, Draco, I never knew you cared," Ron said. Lucius laughed again, and Draco grinned at him.
"I'm protective of my best friend the same way you are about your sister."
"Well, I guess it's my turn to tell you the same. Hurt Ginny and I'll kill you."
"That sounds fair enough."
"Are we ready for a wedding, boys?" Lucius asked. "Then let's not keep the ladies waiting."
Draco, Ron, and Lucius stood in the foyer, waiting for the women. Ron had just said something that made Lucius laugh, when they heard Pansy clear her throat. Ron looked up and swallowed hard. Pansy was attractive in her rose-colored dress, with her hair curling down around her shoulders. She smiled brilliantly at him and did a quick spin.
"How do I look?"
"Like a curly pink rose," Draco teased. She slapped him lightly on the arm, and then stood on her tiptoes to press a light kiss to Ron's cheek.
"You look fabulous," Ron said softly. She blushed.
"You too."
"Where are Mother and Ginny?" Draco asked.
"They were right behind me," she said, turning and looking down the corridor. "Oh, there they are!" Draco watched, his heart pounding painfully against his ribcage, as the figures of the women drew nearer. When Ginny stepped into the foyer smiling at his mother, he fought to catch his breath. She turned to look at him, giving him a shy smile as she approached. Narcissa went into the open arms of her husband and watched as Ginny stopped in front of Draco.
"You look terrific," she whispered, her neck and cheeks flushed from her jangled nerves.
"Draco, you'd better close your mouth, or you're going to swallow a bug," Pansy laughed, stepping through the front door. Draco smiled at her, and then turned back to Ginny.
"You look..." he shook his head, at a loss. "There aren't words for how good you look." She bit her bottom lip as she smiled.
"Thank you."
"You realize, of course," he said, finally collecting himself and holding out his arm for her to take. "That you outshine even the bride." She laughed.
"How would you know that? We're not even there yet."
"True, but I know what Lavinia Jugson looks like, and there won't be a man at the wedding who will be able to look at her after laying eyes on you." She felt the heat rising in her face as he helped her inside the carriage, and then sat down beside her. They had decided to take three carriages; one for each couple.
"Quit that, you're making me blush," she laughed. He lifted the back of her hand to his lips, and an uncontrollable excitement began thrumming through her veins.
"I'm not going to be able to let you out of my sight tonight," he said, his voice husky. "I'd be insanely jealous if another man tried to dance with you."
"No one will want to dance with me," she said, trying to calm her racing heart. His eyes looked very much like liquid mercury in the golden light that filtered in through the cracks in the curtains of the carriage, and it was doing funny things to her.
"I want to dance with you."
"You have to say that. I tricked you into this, remember?"
"It doesn't feel like fulfilling a bet anymore," he said softly. "Do you still think of it that way?" She shook her head slowly.
"No," she breathed.
"Good. Then I'll thank you to stop denying that you're beautiful." She nodded silently, and he leaned closer to press his lips close to her ear. Her eyes fluttered closed. "Je t'adore, Ginny Weasley." Her eyes flew open, and she pulled away to stare at him.
"You found it," she said, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. He nodded, his eyes glittering. "I didn't think you would find it so soon."
"I saw it this afternoon, as I was getting dressed." He held out his arm and pulled the sleeve back, revealing the shiny gold bracelet. She met his eyes again. "Did you mean it?"
She nodded. "I did." She held her breath, waiting for his reaction.
"Truly?" he asked quietly, his eyes locked on hers. She nodded.
"Yes. I meant it, Draco." He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to him.
"I never thought to have you love me," he whispered against her cheek. "I never hoped for it."
"You're not upset, then?" He pulled away to stare at her.
"Why would I be upset?"
"I thought maybe it might be too soon, seeing as how we've only really known each other for three weeks."
"It's not too soon, if you're certain that that's what you're feeling."
"I'm so glad to hear you say that," she said, relief flooding through her. The carriage slowed to a halt, and Draco smiled brightly.
"We're here. Ready to be the belle of the ball?" She laughed and took his hand as he helped her out.
As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, she could feel eyes on her, and she wasn't sure it was a positive thing. She stuck by Draco's side, and made sure that they were always near Ron and Pansy, too. The service was short and to the point, with very little frill involved. Draco told her that the reason was because Lavinia and Rabastan had spent all of their money on the reception, since more people were likely to show up there.
When they entered the reception hall, music was already playing, and several couples on the floor were dancing. Draco led Ginny to the table where his parents, Pansy's parents, Pansy, and Ron were already seated. He pulled the chair out for her and pushed it in as she sat down, and then took the seat next to her.
"Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson, this is my girlfriend, Ginny Weasley." Pansy's parents nodded politely at her and gave her friendly smiles.
"It's so nice to see the both of you here," Ornella said, smiling. Ginny smiled back, and Ron nodded, giving her a polite, if not detached, smile.
"It's lovely to be here," Ginny answered. Ornella exchanged a secret glance with Narcissa, who smiled brightly at her. A slow song started up, and Ron held out his hand to Pansy.
"Would you like to dance?" She nodded and smiled at him, letting him lead her onto the dance floor. Draco turned to Ginny and held out his hand wordlessly. She slid her hand into his and followed him onto the dance floor. Narcissa and Lucius watched as Draco wrapped one arm around Ginny's waist, and captured her hand with his free hand.
Ornella leaned towards Narcissa. "How in the world did our children ever become besotted with Weasleys?" She asked, wrinkling her nose in distaste. Narcissa tried unsuccessfully to hide her shocked look.
"You sound as if you don't approve," she said carefully. Ornella shrugged.
"There are plenty of eligible bachelors I would have Pansy date, but she'll have nothing to do with them. Instead she chooses to go slumming with this boy." She looked pointedly at Ron. Narcissa stiffened, and she felt Lucius tense up beside her.
"Come now, Ornella. That's no way to talk about the boy your daughter has chosen, and it's certainly not talk for such a happy occasion." Ornella's husband remained silent, chewing on an appetizer.
"She won't be with him long," Ornella said carelessly. "She never is."
"What if you're wrong?"
"Then we'll take an extended vacation somewhere far away." Lucius frowned.
"You know the Dark Lord won't permit that."
"I never agreed with that business anyway," Ornella said, waving her hand dismissively. Narcissa's eyes widened. Lucius was a fair and understanding man, but he did not tolerate any sort of treason or disobedience whatsoever where the Dark Lord was concerned. Lucius' expression turned hard.
"Come, Narcissa. Let us wish Lavinia and Rabastan a long and happy life together, and then we'll be off." Narcissa didn't bother to utter her apologies; she knew that after this, it would be highly unlikely that Lucius would approve of her spending time around Ornella. She would have to prove her loyalty before Lucius would allow it.
Lucius approached Pansy and Ron and whispered something into Pansy's ear that made her face turn red. Draco watched with a sinking feeling in his chest as Lucius approached him and bent to say something.
"Your mother and I are leaving. Ornella said some insulting things about your date and Pansy's, and she was talking treason." Draco's eyes flew to Ornella's table, where she was pointing in their direction and laughing with another wedding guest. He sighed as his father walked away.
"People are talking about you and Pansy because Ron and I are here, aren't they?" Ginny asked quietly. Draco met her eyes.
"I could care less what anyone says," he drawled. She remained silent and squeezed his hand gently. Draco saw someone approaching Ron out of the corner of his eye, and felt Ginny stiffen when she noticed.
"You're Ron Weasley, aren't you?" the man asked. Ron nodded, but didn't stop dancing. "What are you doing here?"
"I invited him," Pansy said angrily. "Really, Blaise, do you have nothing else to do with your time than harass my date?"
"Was this meant to be a strike at me?" he laughed. "Did you honestly think that bringing a Weasley to the wedding was going to make me jealous?"
"Your ego amazes me," Pansy said, her eyes narrowing. "I asked him to be my date because I happen to like him."
"Right," Blaise laughed. A small crowd was gathering around them, and Draco was waiting for the worst to happen. His heart plummeted when he saw people turn their heads toward him and Ginny, but nothing was said. Surprisingly, the crowd dissipated quickly, and Blaise went towards the opposite side of the room. Pansy and Ron both sighed with relief and continued dancing, their steps lighter.
After five songs of continuous dancing, Ginny needed a drink. She pulled away from Draco gently. "I'm just going to the refreshment table for a drink," she said, smiling. "I'll be fine walking the twenty feet or so from here to there." He watched as she headed towards the table, then frowned when he saw Blaise approaching her.
She had just taken a sip of the punch when she felt a hand on her bare shoulder. She whipped around quickly and found herself face to face with Blaise. He was smiling a predatory smile that made Ginny feel like she was in very real danger.
"Well, well," he said slowly. "Little Ginny Weasley. What are you doing here?"
"I'm here with Draco," she said, sticking her chin up defiantly. "And if you'll excuse me, I've got to be getting back, so-"she attempted to step around him, but he blocked her. When Draco saw his hand shoot out and grip Ginny's arm, he headed towards them.
"No, I don't think so. I think you need to stay and talk to me." As he spoke, he ran a finger lightly from her shoulder to the diamond choker she wore. "Have you become Draco's whore to gain such fine things?" Her mouth dropped open and she stared at him in utter surprise.
"Excuse me?" she asked, astonished. Before he could answer, Draco had tapped him on the shoulder. Blaise turned and smirked at him.
"Let go of her, Zabini."
"What's the matter, Malfoy? You can't get dates on your own, so now you're buying them? Really, I would have thought that your money could have bought you something better than a Weasley."
Ginny watched with fascinated horror as Draco's fist connected with Blaise's jaw. As Blaise crumpled to the ground clutching the side of his face, Draco grabbed Ginny's hand and tugged on it, pulling her along behind him. He didn't stop until they had gotten outside. Pansy and Ron were right behind them, howling with laughter.
"That was the best thing I've ever seen in my life!" Pansy exclaimed, climbing into the carriage before Ron. Draco helped Ginny into their carriage, then climbed in behind her.
"I'm sorry," she said, tears wetting her eyelashes. "I didn't mean to cause problems for you or your family." He gave her a surprised look.
"What? No! Hey, this wasn't your fault." He reached out and swiped a tear away with his thumb. "Please, stop crying. For me?" She sniffed and nodded.
"Are your parents going to be terribly upset?"
"Not at all. You saw how my father reacted to Pansy's parents, and they've been friends since before Pansy and I were born. Zabini got what was coming to him. That guy's an egotistical jerk, anyway."
"Thank you for stopping him," she said softly. Draco glanced down at her arm and his jaw dropped slightly.
"He left a bruise on you! I can see where his fingers were on your arm!" His expression turned cold. "I'll kill him if I ever see him again."
"Don't say that," she murmured. "It's not really that bad." He reached out and caressed her cheek gently.
"Let me make it up to you," he said. "I was planning a surprise anyway, but now it seems even more fitting."
"A surprise?" she asked, smiling. "What kind of surprise?"
"Well, it would ruin the whole element of surprise if I told you, now, wouldn't it?" She giggled.
"All right. Can I change first?"
"Of course you can, sweet. I don't expect you to stay in that dress all night." She sighed happily as she leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder.