(A/N Good job on the trusting. Now keep it up! Keep trusting me. I promise you can trust me. Keep up that trusting!

And OMG All the reviews yesterday I had just gotten to 300 and today I'm almost to 400! That's insane. But the good kind of insane the kind of insane that I love because damn reviews!)

Disclaimer: No Shit. I'm not JK Rowling? Gee I didn't realize, considering that I'm only 17 and live in America!

September Twenty Second

Engagement Parties

Ginny woke up shivering. Damn him and his blanket stealing ways. She rolled over and grabbed the end of the blanket and tugged. She rolled around in the blanket, wrapping in around her. Now he didn't have any! Served him right. Then she remembered what day it was and her stomach dropped.

It was the day of her engagement party.

"Harry, wake up." Ginny said shaking him roughly.

"What?" he whined, half asleep.

"What time is the engagement party?"

"Starts at six, we are suppose to be there at five thirty." Harry replied. "My publicist is coming over later to bring you your dress."

"What color is it?"

"Red."

Ginny sighed quietly. She was not wearing red! She was turning it green. "Is it at the Palace?"

"Of course." Harry yawned. "Don't worry I sent out all the invitations and everyone knows."

"Okay." Ginny nodded as she climbed out of bed.

"I have people arriving at three to do your hair and make up."

"I can do my own hair and I don't wear make up." Ginny replied.

"Just tonight. It's a special night."

"Fine." Ginny replied as she walked towards the bathroom. "I'll be in my shop until then. I have a painting to finish."

"Don't get covered in paint." Harry replied from the bed.

"I won't, I just have to put sealer on it so that it will dry quicker. And then it's off to the museum."

"What's it called?" Harry asked.

"Portrait of a Lover." Ginny called out the first thing that came to her.

"That's lovely." Harry replied, almost back to sleep.

True to Ginny's word she was back at their flat by three, without a spot of paint on her. She entered her bedroom to find three people looking her up and down. She felt like a piece of meet.

"Hair up?"

"Down!"

"Up!"

"Down."

"I want it down." Ginny interrupted two of them arguing about her hair. "In fact I like it how it is."

"It's too short."

"It's too long."

"If you two can't get along then don't worry about my hair, I'll do it." Ginny replied, already cross with the whole thing. She turned to the only person who hadn't spoken. "And you are?"

"Your make up artist."

"Great."

Ginny was ushered into her bathroom which had been transformed to look like a beauty salon. She sat down in the stool before her and closed her eyes as they started to work on her. How long could some make up and her hair take to do.

The answer was two hours. It took two hours and when they finished she looked about what she did before they started.

Sure her hair was shinier, and bouncier. Her eyes lit up a bit more and her lashes longer, but besides that she was the same old Ginny. Of course her lips did look poutier, maybe she would wear make up more. She liked her lips, a lot. She walked out of her bathroom to see Harry talking quietly to his publicist.

"Hello James." Ginny greeted him cooly as she reached out to take the dress from him. "Red again?"

"You look wonderful in it." James replied smoothly.

"I like green." Ginny replied as she pointed her wand at the dress and turned it green.

"But-"

"I better go get dressed." Ginny smiled innocently. "We have to leave soon."

She quickly ran to the bathroom before they had a chance to say something about the color change. She slipped out of her clothes and into the dress. She looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was short and slinky. It reached mid thigh on her, which meant she would have to watch herself. It came down low in the front and was non existent in the back. Just a few straps held it in place. It was a lovely dress, if not a little revealing. She picked her necklace up from the counter, where it had been tossed by one of the hair dressers and fastened it around her neck. She smiled at her reflection, perfect.

Ginny walked out of the bathroom. "Where are the shoes."

"The shoes were meant to go with a red dress." James replied holding out a pair of strappy heels.

"If I can change the color of the dress," Ginny replied taking the shoes. "I can change the color of the shoes." Which she did to a silver. She slipped the shoes on and stood up. "Are we ready to leave?"

"James you go ahead." Harry told him. "We will be there in a few minutes."

"Of course." James replied heading out of their bedroom.

"Ginny, you look wonderful." Harry said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Even in green?" Ginny asked slyly.

"Yes." Harry replied. "If you want to wear green, go ahead."

"I was planning on it."

"Are you ready?" Harry asked as he threw on the coat to his tux.

"Yes." Ginny replied taking his hand.

Ginny stood against the wall of the room. Their guests were all there, reporters talking to them, trying to get the best story. Harry was off talking to someone about Quidditch and here she was. Alone, at her engagement party. She picked up a glass of wine and drank it all. She saw Blaise and walked towards him.

"Ginny." Blaise said grabbing her shoulders and hugging her. He straightened up. "Would you care to dance?"

"Of course." Ginny replied as he led her onto the dance floor.

"Did you get my letter?" Blaise asked.

"Yes, I'm afraid you were too late with the news of what pink meant." She replied as they danced across the floor. "I had already found out."

"How?"

"Draco sent me a book."

"He wrote to you?"

"No. He sent a book. Just a book." Ginny replied. "Why have you heard from him?"

"You know I haven't."

"Oh."

"So, engaged to Harry Potter. That's wonderful."

"Don't lie to me." Ginny replied. "I know you detest him."

"I can't help it. He tried to ruin my handy work."

"Draco and I dating was not handy work."

"Hey that was the hardest I have ever had to work."

"And see how well it worked out." Ginny replied sarcastically.

"Don't get down."

"I'm not, I'm happy. This is my engagement party, which at twelve, in two hours, will be over."

"I can tell you are sad."

"I don't like the press."

"Did you tell him you didn't want the press here?"

"Apparently we owe the public to let them know what is going on." Ginny froze as she saw someone tap Blaise on the shoulder.

Draco stood in the doorway, unnoticed. He surveyed the scene in front of him. Ginny downed a glass of wine and made her way towards Blaise. She looked wonderful, better than he remembered. She was beautiful. After a quick hug Blaise and Ginny began to dance. Draco continued looking around the room until he spotted Potter. Not near his fiance, interesting. Draco entered the room and was astonished to notice so many people wearing muggle tuxedos. He was dressed in only the very best dress robes, no muggle clothes for him.

Draco walked across the room towards Blaise and Ginny, much like a cat would stalk it's prey. They were chatting about something and Blaise didn't look too happy. Draco walked up to them quietly and tapped Blaise on the shoulder.

"May I cut in?"

Ginny's eyes narrowed at him. But, she agreed and she started to dance with him.

"I don't recall inviting you." she said angrily.

"I don't recall asking for an invite."

"Why are you here?"

"You are better at dancing." Draco replied ignoring the question. "Have you been practicing?"

"My fiance taught me." Ginny replied.

"That's a lie. I've seen him dance." Draco replied. "Are you trying to make me jealous?"

"Why would I do that?" Ginny asked. "I don't need you."

"But do you want me?"

"I'm happily engaged."

"If you are so happily engaged, then tell me something." Draco asked. "Why are you getting drunk at your engagement party."

"I'm not drunk." Ginny replied. "I've been drunk. This isn't drunk. I better go and see what Harry is up to."

She pulled away from him and picked up two more glasses of wine. She was going to go find Harry but instead she turned and left the ballroom, opting to find some where quiet instead.

If she was so happy why was she getting drunk, sure she wasn't yet, but that was the plan. Right?

Draco watched her leave the room and after a few minutes he followed after her. He wasn't done yet. No he wouldn't be done till she was his again.

It took a few minutes for him to find where Ginny had gone but soon enough he did.

"What do you want?" she asked as he entered the dark little study.

"You promised to wait for me." he replied simply.

"I did wait." she snapped. "You promised to come back for me and you never did."

"I'm here now."

"It's too late now." Ginny replied standing up. "The year after I graduated Harry killed Voldermort and I waited for you to come back, like you promised. That's two years. The year after that your father was found dead, and I waited for you to come back, and you didn't. That's three years. I waited for you. And I waited for you. Surely you would come back. You had nothing to fear, your father and Voldermort were both dead. No one was around who wanted to steal your body. Surely now you could come back to me." Ginny took a deep breath and a small sip of wine.

"One year ago to the day I stopped waiting for you. Collin was the one who convinced me to get over you. He and I slept together, no strings attached. I was drunk and he tried to tell me no. But he is just like every other guy, and soon he was all over me. He was the second person I slept with, he couldn't dance, if you catch my drift. The next day I started dating Harry. Amazingly he can dance but the rumor isn't true." she laughed bitterly. "So I'm successful, I have my own store and my paintings sell, I'm engaged and of course you show up. You never came back for me. You never came back. I waited for you and you never came back. Until now. Why now? Is it because you read in the paper that I was engaged. Did you see the pictures of me when I was at social engagements with Harry. Did that make you jealous?" she took another sip of wine. "I was young and foolish and I didn't know anything about relationships when I was with you. I know better now. I know I never loved you." That last sentence was just a dig at Draco, to get something from him.

Draco backed her against the wall. "You never loved me? Well that's a shame, considering that even now it seems I'm the only man for you." he fingered her charm which was glowing pink. "Care to explain that."

"I don't believe in fairy crystals." Ginny replied pushing him back from her. "But I'm not the one who owes someone an explanation. You are." she narrowed her eyes at him. "Why did you come back now? Why couldn't you have just stayed in the past."

"Do you realize what today is?" Draco asked her.

"The day of my engagement party." Ginny replied simply.

"No this is the same day I left." Draco replied. "Funny thing you chose this day of all days."

"You are dead to me." Ginny replied harshly.

"Then how am I here?" Draco asked. "Why would I be here?"

"Because I'm happy without you." Ginny replied coldly.

"No you aren't." Draco told her. "I've been to your art shows. I've seen your paintings."

"So?"

"So, they scream pain, and depression." Draco sighed "I've seen your self portrait."

"Big deal."

"And, I know what it really is."

"No you don't."

"Yes I do."

"Why are you here?" she asked quietly. "Just tell me why you are here."

"I miss you."

"I don't miss you." she replied harshly.

"Damn it, Ginevra. Why won't you just admit it?"

"Wow! You said my name." Ginny smirked sarcastically. "Is it because you don't know me anymore?"

"Why are you making this so hard?"

"Why shouldn't I?" Ginny asked coldly. "I told you to leave but I never told you not to come back. You never came back."

"I wasn't sure if you wanted to see me."

"You will not blame your not coming back on me!" Ginny yelled at him as she chucked her glass against the wall, barely missing his head. The glass broke in a spray of glass and wine. She turned away from him, praying he would just leave. He wasn't going to make her upset.. He wasn't going to get to her.

"Ginevra." Draco said quietly.

"Leave me alone!" Ginny hissed.

"No! I will not!"

"Why not? You did for five years!"

"Because I love you, I never stopped loving you. I will never stop loving you. Can Potter honestly make you feel as I can? Can he make your little crystal glow pink."

"That isn't any of your business."

"How isn't it?"

"Because you had your chance and you didn't come back." Ginny replied turning back to Draco.

"When was I suppose to come back?" Draco asked. "For three years I was in hiding and then when I could come back you were happy. You were in the paper because of your art show and then you started dating Potter. Then in my last ditch effort to see if you still loved me I sent you that book and the next day the papers are exclaiming how you are engaged. When was I suppose to come back? You were happy and successful and I didn't even have a real existence. For three years I wasn't allowed to talk to anyone except certain members of the order. And all that got me through those three years was the thought of someday seeing you again. Kissing you, touching you, caressing you and feeling you. And then you get engaged to Potter. And I want to die. I just wanted to die. Because you are mine. You are the only girl I have ever loved. You are the only girl that I would give up everything for, that I did give up everything for. I almost died twice and the only thing that keep me alive was the thought that soon I would see you again. That soon I would run my fingers through your hair and look into your eyes and taste you. Breathe in your scent and count your freckles. There were so many nights that I fell asleep hugging a pillow wishing it were you." Draco punched the wall and cursed quietly. "I dreamt of you constantly. You were all I could think of. Even when other girls were around me I didn't even bother to look at them because they weren't you."

"That's all well and good." Ginny interrupted. "But you never came back! You never even wrote me. For five years! Five horrible and depressing years I didn't even hear from you. You should have come back. You promised to come back."

"I'm here now." Draco replied gently touching her on the arm.

"Good time to show up. At my engagement party." Ginny replied through gritted teeth. "And for some reason you keep blaming your not coming back on me."

"I was scared." Draco replied. "I was scared that you had found someone else and you didn't want me anymore. Looks like I was right."

"How long did you expect me to wait?" Ginny asked. "You had two years to come back to me and you never did. For all I knew you were dead. Was I suppose to stop living my life because you were scared. Do you know how I felt every time there was a raid by Death Eaters and I didn't know if you were okay? Do you know that I cried and cried because I missed you? Too many nights I drank myself to sleep because the grief of not having you around was so horrible. Do you know how many dates I got asked out on and how many times I said no. I was so sure you would come back but you didn't. You promised you would come back."

"And you promised you would wait for me."

"Well I lied." Ginny sighed. "I suppose I lied. I'm sorry if I didn't wait my entire life to hear from you. I'm sorry that I was tired of being alone. I'm sorry I was tired of falling asleep alone and eating dinner every night alone. I'm so fucking sorry, because apparently it is all my fault. Even though you could have found me, it's my fault. I'm sorry! Just leave me alone. I have nothing to give you. I gave you everything I had and you took it and never gave it back. I gave you my heart, and my soul and you left and never gave it back. I have nothing to give you. So what do you want from me? Why won't you just leave. Leave now!"

"I can't leave you alone."

"Why not? You did for five years."

"Without you I'm not a complete person. I'm the mere shell of a man without you. I need you. I need you like I need air. I will die if I can't have you. I dated you for less than a month and in that short time you touched me more than anyone has ever touched me. You changed me. You showed me how to love. You taught me a new way of life. A life where I was allowed to love. I worshipped you, I still do. I want you and I need you. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever met. You are perfect and I need you. Damn it. I need you. Please let me have you. You are the only thing I want. Let me have you."

"I'm engaged."

"You don't have to be." Draco said pulling her close to him. "You can have me. Whenever you want me, you can have me."

"You can't have me." Ginny replied quietly. "I'm engaged."

"Can't I?" Draco asked as he gently kissed her. Oh merlin, how wonderful it was to kiss her again. Feeling her soft lips against his. Her kiss was still as sweet but now it was hesitant.

Ginny's first thought was to pull away and slap him. But, he felt right. Kissing him was beautiful, it was right, it was wonderful. Just as she was about to pull away from him when his tongue probed her lips. She sighed as his tongue darted into her mouth. Merlin help her, how she missed him.

She gasped as he pushed her against the wall and started kissing and sucking on her neck. Draco ran his hands down her side and under her dress.

"Tell me I don't know you now, Little Red." Draco whispered into her ear.

"I can't do this." Ginny said pushing him away. "I have to go. I have guests."

"Don't."

"No. I have to go." Ginny replied looking around. She grabbed the second wine glass before hurrying out of the room. Damn him. Damn him, damn him. She was engaged! Why did he make her want him. She was engaged. He couldn't have her. He was too late.

Ginny stopped walking and leaned against the wall and started sobbing. She sunk to the ground. Why was she sobbing? She should be happy. She's engaged and successful. What more could she want? "Damn him." she cursed as she threw the second glass against the wall. Only he could make her face the fact that she wasn't really happy.

Draco had stood in the study for a few minutes before deciding it was time to leave. He walked out the door but stopped. There she was, sitting on the floor sobbing. And he just wanted to rush to her and comfort her. But he couldn't, he had made her cry. he had given her that pain. It was all his fault because he had been too much of a coward to come back.

After all what had he done with his life? He had run away and hidden. Then he had gotten some low level job in a bar. He was nothing. His life was nothing. He wasn't successful, sure he still had his money but he didn't earn it. He was just a nobody going through the motions of life. Why would Ginny have wanted to be with him? He wasn't anybody. He was pathetic, his existence was pathetic.

Draco had to get her back. He couldn't let her marry Potter. She was all he had. Thinking of her had been the only thing that had gotten him through those years of hiding. Damn it. It was all his fault he didn't have her right now. If only he hadn't been such a coward.

Ginny stood up and fixed her dress and fluffed her hair out. She dabbed at her eyes and she smiled as she walked back into the ballroom. She could play the part of the happy fiance. She could be that girl. She was that girl. She picked up another glass of wine and drank it down quickly.

"I've been looking every where for you." Harry said walking up to her and taking her glass from her and setting it on the table. "Would you care to dance?"

"Of course." Ginny smiled as he led her towards the dance floor. "So are you done with the press for the night?"

"Yes." Harry grinned. "I'm all yours for the rest of the night."

"Good." Ginny winced as he stepped on her toes. "So how about we skip out early and go home."

"Why would you want to do that?"

"No reason." Ginny replied. How could he be so clueless? She danced with him a few more minutes till Ron came and stole her away.

"Is that Malfoy I saw earlier?" Ron asked quietly.

"Yes."

"What was he doing here?"

"Nothing." Ginny told him. "He left."

"Ginny."

"What?"

"You still love him. Why are you with Harry?"

"Ron. I love Harry."

"Yes you do, but you aren't in love with him." Ron replied.

"What's the difference?"

"The difference is when you were with Malfoy, you glowed with love. And now, you're barely there." Ron told her. "And as much as I still dislike Malfoy, you were happy."

"Ron, he left me."

"And he came back."

"He didn't write or anything, for five years."

"He came back to you."

"It took him five years."

"He loves you."

"He left."

"He is in love with you."

"He left."

"He came back."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that you need to do what is right for you."

"Harry is your best friend."

"And he is also a prat at times. Who doesn't deserve you."

"And Malfoy does?"

"Yes, because you are in love with him."

"I'm engaged."

"And just as easily as you became engaged you can call it off."

"You are encouraging me to dump your best friend."

"I'm encouraging you to be happy."

"And how do you know I will be happy with him?"

"You always were in school."

"I was 16. What did I know?"

"I was only a year older when I started dating Blaise and look at us now."

"It isn't the same."

"Yes it is."

"How?"

"You know what you feel don't you?"

"I thought I did. I thought I wanted Harry."

"No you didn't. You are just comfortable with him."

"Is that so bad?"

"Yes. You don't just want to be content and only content for the rest of your life. Don't you want to be in love?"

"What is love really?" Ginny asked. "But lust disguised as something more."

"When did you become so jaded?" Ron asked frowning.

"When my heart was broken and never fixed." Ginny replied pulling away from Ron. "I'm going to go find Harry." She left Ron standing in the middle of the dance floor as she walked away. Why did people keep insisting on crushing her spirit. Damn it, she did love Harry.

Blaise watched Ginny walk back into the ballroom. He quickly left the ballroom through where Ginny had just entered.

"You're back." Blaise called as he walked towards Draco. "Five years later and you're back."

"Seems I'm too late."

"You shouldn't have waited so long."

"I was scared."

"Of?"

"Rejection."

"So you made sure she had to reject you."

"So how have you been?" Draco asked changing the subject.

"Great. Ron and I live together, just got back from Italy."

"Italy?"

"I always promised I would show him."

"So are you two in love."

"Since our last year at school."

"She hates me now."

"No. You haven't seen her when Ron and I have."

"Will you tell me?" Draco asked quietly.

"We don't have time now, later tonight?"

"I can't I have to get back to Greece."

"Greece?"

"It's where I live now."

"Stay with Ron and me."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I haven't seen my best friend in five years, you are so spending the night."

"I don't think I should go back out there." Draco said nodding in the direction of the ballroom.

"Stay here, I'll go get Ron and we will leave." Blaise replied. "Be right back."

Blaise watched as Ron and Ginny danced and when they were done Blaise walked up to Ron. "It's time for us to leave."

"What?"

"We have a house guest that wants to be caught up."

"Draco?"

"Yes."

"House guest?"

"Wants to know about Ginny."

"I want to kill him."

"Wait, why?"

"Because my sister still loves him and she won't even believe she knows what love is."

"So do you want to play match maker with me?" Blaise asked.

"Do you think we should."

"Yes."

"Harry will kill me if he finds out."

"Who cares?"

"I should."

"No you shouldn't." Blaise told him. "You are thinking of what's best for your sister."

"What if it isn't best for Ginny?"

"It is."

"So let's go. Time for us to go get our house guest and go home." Ron nodded.

Ginny looked around the ballroom once more before. She was leaving, she was tired and her feet hurt and she was leaving. Harry was off, talking to the press again. She had said hello and goodbye to everyone and she was going home. The fact that her fiance was ignoring her at their engagement party was really irking her and she just wanted to go home.