Author's Note: Oooh so I know the last chapter was painfully short… sorry about that! I had limited time to type it yesterday, and I wanted to end it there, so just suffer through it… ;) On a brighter note, here's another chapter! (And Zoe, the letter was…just…so eloquent… J )

            Did the man even bring a guest? Draco wanted to throttle the Fudge when he saw him hanging on his mother's every word, following her around…

            "It's not a problem, Mother. The young Miss Weasley and I were simply having a discussion- you may go back to your business." His cold eyes flicked to the Minister's face and back again.

            "Not a problem?" Ginny half-shrieked. "The problem is that you keep-"

            "Virginia Abigail Weasley!" Now people really were staring. Draco honestly could not hate the Weasley's more at this point. He'd actually been enjoying himself- Ginny had spirit, and that in itself made her more intriguing than most of the stiffs in the place. But then her family had to get involved.

            "Virginia, what are you doing?" Ron Weasley, accompanied by Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, came pushing through the crowd. Most of the chatter around the room had died down by this point. Ginny was blushing a deep red, looking absolutely horrified at the scene that she'd caused. Draco shot daggers at the older Weasley, who looked him up and down in disgust.

            "Ron, it's nothing, just…"

            "Nothing?" Now it was Ron's turn to be indignant. "I told you, if the bastard bothered you again, I'd maim him!" Mrs. Malfoy gasped again.

            "I appreciate the sentiment, Weasley, but as you can see, Miss Weasley is neither harmed nor terribly upset, so perhaps it would be better if-" Draco made an attempt to break up the situation before it caused his family more embarrassment.

            "Ronald Coddington Weasley!" A shrill, very loud voice sounded, and a short, plump, very angry-looking woman stampeded into the area. Draco recognized her as Mrs. Weasley- nothing like his own elegant mother- she was dressed in a slightly poofy purple dress, carried a large handbag on her shoulder, and looked quite intelligent, despite her anger. "What on earth do you think you're doing, causing a scene like this?" And before Ron could respond, she had him by the ear and was dragging him outside. "…SO sorry Mrs. Malfoy- never had much in the way of manners, this one… enjoy the party, Virginia- we'll be back in a bit!" The crowd chuckled, no harm was done; and dispersed again.

            Fudge escorted Narcissa Malfoy to the front of the room so that she could officially begin the birthday. Draco turned to go, but Gin- Virginia Weasley was standing there.

            "What do you want now, Weasel?" He growled.

            "I'm sorry I caused such a scene," she sputtered, still pink. "I don't really know what to think of you- you're not what you were when we were in school, and well… I suppose even a Malfoy can change." She hesitated, then stuck out her hand in apology. Draco almost grinned at her feeble apology, but caught himself. He took her hand and kissed it lightly, staring into her eyes with a devilish look.

            "Apology accepted- Virginia." He winked and turned to go, as she watched him wide-eyed. Sure, her brother was a moron, but members of the opposite sex never got under his skin that way.

            After Malfoy had gone, Ginny stared at her hand. She couldn't stand the jerk- he was so conceited and condescending! But then, why had she tingled when his lips barely brushed her hand?

            "Chock it up to animal magnetism," she muttered, shaking herself, and went to watch his mother speak.

            Narcissa Malfoy was standing in the front of the room, flanked by her son and the Minister of Magic. (What was his deal, anyway? He was always hanging around her…) A hush fell over the room, and Mrs. Malfoy stepped forward. She looked beautiful; her long blonde hair cascaded over her back, and he emerald earrings caught the light.

            "Welcome, dear friends and guests. As you all know, the purpose of this salon is to honor my wonderful son Draco, on his twentieth birthday." The crowd clapped as she motioned Draco forward, and he graciously inclined his head to acknowledge the crowd. Ginny thought that his eyes looked cold and dark, despite his ravishing smile. "I'd like to propose a toast…" Narcissa Malfoy motioned for the guests to take a glass of champagne, and started to speak. Ginny looked around for a servant carrying a tray.

            "Here," said someone at her side. She turned quickly to see a tall, dark-haired young man with a charming smile holding a glass for her.

            "Oh! Thank you!" Ginny flushed slightly. He was quite attractive.

            "It's my pleasure. I am Anthony Leoni, by the way." Another charming grin. Ginny felt her heart drop a few inches.

            "Virginia Weasley," she said, smiling, and held her hand out. "Nice to meet you, Anthony."

            "Call me Tony," he replied, looking into her eyes; he took her hand and kissed it, just as Draco had done. If Ginny hadn't been so lost in that smile, she might have noticed how his touch didn't send a shock through her body the way Draco's had done.

            They made some quiet small talk while Cornelius Fudge gave a speech. (Draco looked frankly murderous.) Ginny discovered that Tony was the son of the Italian Minister of Magic, Ricardo Leoni, whose wife was a good friend of Narcissa Malfoy. He, of course, was used to such events as these, and made her feel quite comfortable and glamorous, standing there chatting with her glass of champagne.

            An orchestra started to play shortly after the speeches, and dancing started. Tony asked if she would care to accompany him to the floor, and for the first time, Ginny was glad that her mother had made her take those six years of ballroom dancing lessons.

            Maybe the night would improve after all.