Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who keeps reading and reviewing! You're giving me the motivation I need to get this lazy ass up and keep writing… lol! Annoying Little Bella Mafia- first of all….GREAT name, second of all, I'm glad you love my story, and I will most definitely keep writing! LOL! Nancy- you zip that lip or I'll chock you up! ;) Jenni- I know… his sheer animal magnetism gets to me too… *shiver* Zoe- … I just don't even know what to say to you anymore… *shakes head* lol! Enjoy all!
Draco worked hard to cover his scowl as Cornelius Fudge escorted his mother onto the dance floor. He worked even harder to hide it when he was introduced to airhead daughter, after airhead daughter, by their well-to-do fathers. At this point, he was really longing to run to his room and curl up with some good Shakespeare or such, but his mother caught his eye, glaring, and he knew that he'd have to face the music.
Sighing, he smiled stunningly at the next girl he was introduced to, and led her to the dance floor. The girl was pretty enough- tall, with long, wavy black hair tied back loosely, and stunning blue eyes- but great Scot was she a bore! Athella Copper, that was her name, and her father was one of Britain's largest wand-wood suppliers. Draco spent what felt like hours listening to her babble about how lovely the ballroom looked, how exquisite the hors d'oeuvres were, and so on. When she began to comment on the tastefulness of the dress requirements, Draco ended the dance.
"Perhaps you'd care to dance with my mother?" He quietly muttered, as another silly piece of fluff was practically pushed into his arms. He spent a good part of the night suffering through dull dances, each time wanting more and more to hang himself from one of the chandeliers.
Then he saw Virginia Weasley. She was dancing with someone, but he couldn't tell who it was. Draco was only about thirty feet away from her, but she didn't notice him. She actually had skill at dancing, and seemed to be enjoying herself. This seriously annoyed him. He couldn't have fun at his own birthday party, and here was the little Weasel dancing and having a good time. The couple turned, allowing Draco to recognize the young man with whom Ginny was dancing.
Tony Leoni! (A/N: doesn't that sound like some sort of exclamation? LOL! Holy Tony Leoni!) Why, they'd known each other since they were kids- Tony's mother and Draco's were quite close. How had he gotten his hands on Weasley? Signori Leoni usually monitored very closely who his son came into contact with.
Just then, Cornelius Fudge shuffled up to Draco and clapped him on the shoulder. Draco would have to remember to have these robes steamed.
"Well my boy, enjoying yourself, are you? Good, good. Your mother's done a fabulous job of organizing this whole event- looks absolutely stunning tonight, doesn't she?" Much as Draco hated to hear it from the portly Minister, he had to admit that she did. Smiling slightly, he ran his fingers through his fine hair.
"Our family has good genes."
Ginny had been dancing with Tony most of the night. She'd even introduced him to Ron, who scowled but bit his tongue as Hermione quietly whispered something in his ear. (Ginny would have to remember to thank her later.) Tony had taken her to meet his mother, a tiny, curvaceous woman with gorgeous olive skin and incredibly long black hair.
Now, as she danced, she realized that she hadn't seen or heard anything from Draco Malfoy in at least an hour.
Good, she thought, he's decided to leave me and my crude manners alone. Just then, a couple dancing in front of them moved slightly to the right, and she spotted Malfoy talking to Cornelius Fudge.
Ginny was surprised at how blank his face was. He didn't appear to enjoying himself at all. In fact, he looked as if he were simply itching to escape. Ginny couldn't believe how ungrateful he could be! If a party as grand as this was being thrown in her honor, and she had as many handsome guys throwing themselves at her as he did girls, she'd be on cloud nine. And yet, Draco looked as if the last thing on earth he wanted to be doing was standing in the middle of that grand ballroom, talking to the Minister.
Just then, the young man ran his hands through his (extremely soft-looking…Oh my, thought Ginny) blonde hair and looked away from the Minister. And caught Ginny's eye. Just before she and Tony rotated slowly, she caught one of Malfoy's eyebrows raising, and saw him excuse himself.
Damn it, Virginia Weasley! Now you've done it…Ginny mentally kicked herself. The slimy git has just the opportunity he needs to torture you again…
Just as Draco was finishing his comment, he looked past the Minister and saw Ginny Weasley staring at him. Intrigued, he cocked one eyebrow and excused himself from Fudge. Ginny hastily looked away, slightly pink. Oh, so he was getting to her, was he? Draco smirked. He'd just have a friendly little chat with the Weaselette to get her back for that mortifying scene. Nothing too harsh, of course, she was still a lady…but nobody embarrassed a Malfoy!
Draco reached Anthony Leoni and Ginny just as the song that they had been dancing to ended. He tapped Tony on the shoulder, smirking slightly.
"Draco!" Tony turned, and recognizing his old friend, kissed him enthusiastically on both cheeks. Damn those Italians…Draco tried not to show his distate for the greeting.
"Hello Tony. I see you've met the young Ms. Weasley?" Ginny narrowed her eyes. Draco winked. She rolled her eyes at him, exasperated.
"Yes- this utterly charming and beautiful young lady has been showing me the ropes around here," Tony turned and flashed his wide, dimpled grin at Ginny, who flushed slightly. Gag. "Virginia and I have been having a wonderful time."
"Showing you the ropes? Does that include a tour of the coat closet, by any chance?" Ginny opened her mouth indignantly, and Tony looked bewildered.
"Pardon? I don't…"
"Excuse me Tony, but Miss Weasley has been getting murderous looks all evening, and we wouldn't want any harm to come to such a distinguished guest as herself." Draco nodded towards a group of girls, either eyeing Tony with hungry eyes, or Ginny with dislike. Tony laughed gaily.
"Well, I cannot disappoint my fan, can I? Virginia," he took Ginny's hand and kissed it gently, before departing. Draco watched him go before turning back to Ginny.
"The boy's too easy."
"I'll thank you kindly not to insult-"
"Oh drop the act- Tony and I have known each other since we were five. And trust me- he's always had a soft spot for the ladies…" Ginny shot him a glare almost worthy of a Malfoy.
"Look, Malfoy," she spat. "I don't know what you're on about, but I'll thank you to leave ME out of it." With that, she turned on her heel to go, but Draco (yet again) grabbed her elbow.
"Doesn't the birthday boy get a dance?"
"Go find someone else to demean, you slimy git."
"Ouch. I think I might have felt that one-"
"I'm serious, let me go!"
"Can't we just-"
"Malfoy, SOD OFF!"
