Here goes chapter 11. Hope you enjoy it and remember to please review responsibly.
Goddess of the heart: I'm glad you like the story. Please continue to read and let me know what you think.
Thanks for the review.
Callista miralni: I prefer long chapters as well. Make the story so much better. Please continue to read and
Thank you for reviewing.
Writrfreak15: I think Ginny and Draco would work together. I can see that one better than Harry and
Ginny that's for sure. Thanks for reviewing.
HaamiahMing: Ginny irks me too. I really don't think she belongs with the golden trio. Please continue to read
And enjoy. Thanks for the review.
Lyndseyhattaway: I would love to kill Ginny especially after book six. But unfortunately I need her for this
Story. Please continue to read and thanks for reviewing.
Well with that said I give you chapter 11. And thanks to anyone who may review after I posted this.
Chapter 11- Tempted by the fruit of another.
Weeks had gone by and Draco had only seen Ashlynn and Ginny a handful of times. He groaned sitting at his desk. Potter was getting harder to deal with and he missed Ashlynn.
She's not the only one you miss, something told him. Draco frowned, what the hell was that? He didn't miss Ginny. Looked like the long hours and lack of sleep was weighing on his mind.
He needed to get out of here. Everyone else had all ready gone home, he decided home sounded good at the moment and he could always take his work with him.
As he waited for the lift he wondered why he couldn't get Ginny out of his head. She even slipped in a dream or two. He chalked it to loneliness. It had been far too long since he felt the pleasure of a woman.
What if, he started to think. What if?
But he couldn't let himself finish that question, not even in his mind. To think of sex with Ginny meant repudiating his years with Hermione. And he could never do that.
Once he reached the manor he tossed his briefcase on the desk and poured him a drink. He was looking forward to the day he would come home and find Hermione waiting for him. His daughter running into his arms. Both greeting him warmly.
He was beginning to get inpatient at the rate it was going. He was trying to give her space. Give her enough time to realize she really loved him.
If it didn't happen soon he would forget all about his promise to wait for her. He was not above ripping away at any hurdle that denied him what he wanted.
He would burst down the door and demand she come with him. Hermione was as stubborn as they came. Not as understanding as Ginny Weasley.
Draco sighed there she was again. Why did he keep thinking of her? Draco found himself thinking of her a lot the past couple of weeks.
Was he losing sight of his goals he wondered? No of course he wasn't, he loved Hermione. Ginny helped him to see his daughter. She understood he needed his daughter.
And she did it at a great risk to herself. Naturally he would think of her. He was grateful to her that was it. It wasn't like he was falling for her.
A malfoy and a Weasley that would be the day.
Glancing at his briefcase Draco sighed. Maybe he should concentrate on his work, anything to keep his mind off any crazy ideas he had about the Weasley girl.
Ginny sighed, she had hoped to get Ashlynn tonight and take her to Draco's but she was sick. Due to the overload at the joke shop lately she was putting in long hours and hadn't really been able to keep with the visits.
She was heartbroken when she left Hermione's flat. It had been two weeks since Draco last saw Ashlynn and she knew he probably wanted to see her.
She was hoping to make that happen tonight but now that it wouldn't maybe she should go to Malfoy Manor anyway. At least give him an explanation for her absence.
Ginny wondered as she walked the driveway if he would mind the intrusion. She really didn't relish the idea of having words with Draco. She would rather have things between them to be civil.
No, that wasn't the right word. Friendly, that was more like it.
Immediately another word came to mind… Passionate. Yes she thought and sighed, that's how you'd like them to be.
Suddenly she found herself at the closed door of Draco's study. And her nervous feeling increased tenfold. She knew this was the right thing to do. She came to give him an explanation. She owed it to him.
She knocked and turned the knob when he called, "Come in".
The sight of him bent over some papers on his desk nearly took her breath away. His handsome features, those soft gray eyes, his blonde hair. His shirtsleeves were rolled up, exposing his taut, muscular forearms. And those hands.
The only word to describe them was…sexy.
Draco looked up and she felt she couldn't take a breath. Then he seemed to smile and she was sure she was lost. How could she talk to him when she couldn't even breathe? She wondered.
She'd have to find a way.
"Hi". The crease of concentration in his brow softened at the sight of her, as did the tension around his mouth.
"I was going to owl you this evening," he said from the chair.
"You were" she barely got the words out in horse whisper. She hadn't realized just how much she missed him this week.
He stood, came around the desk and crossed the room to her.
"Where's Ashlynn?" he asked looking behind Ginny.
"I couldn't get her tonight, she is sick" she explained.
Finally he looked back at her "So, what did you come to see me about?"
Ginny looked unsure "I thought you may have wanted to know your daughter was sick and give you an explanation to our sudden lack of attendance"
"But I wont bother you any longer" she turned to leave. "Weasley, wait" he called and she stopped turning around with surprise.
"You don't have to go. You could…" Running his fingers through his hair, he looked nervous almost "Stay for dinner or something".
Ginny smiled "That would be lovely"
He led down the hall to another room at the end. "Wow this room is lovely," she said looking around.
Draco tried to see the sitting room as she did. Leather furniture, deep red walls, and a huge bookcase. It was comfortable, but not nearly as opulent as other areas of the manor.
"I like the red walls" she added
Draco laughed, "That doesn't surprise me"
"Have a seat, I need to add a few finishing touches," he said
"You're cooking?" she asked wide eyed.
He laughed "No, why do you ask? Nervous"
She shook her head as she slid into the chair "No, I imagine if you wanted to cook, you'd do it well."
"Why do you say that?" he asked her highly amused.
"Because you're too tenacious to settle for less than that. You'd keep practicing until you got it, right?"
"Hmm, tenacious. I think that's a compliment Weasley" Draco smirked.
Smiling she nodded "It could be. Or it could be my very polite way of saying you're a nag"
Draco didn't feel the least bit insulted; in fact he laughed. "If nagging gets me what I want, then I'm all for it. And what I want-"
She cut him off "Dinner smells wonderful. What is it?" she asked. Draco accepted the fact she wasn't ready to hear about his demanding dealings. For tonight he would keep it light. He just wanted to enjoy her company.
Ginny looked at him as he answered "Light salad, followed by pasta and garlic bread. Topped off with another bottle of wine," he told her.
"I can hardly wait," she told him sipping from her goblet.
As they ate Draco continued to keep the light conversation going. "Ginny I want to say thank you for seeing that I needed to spend some time with my daughter" his eyes twinkled.
"You saw an injustice and you felt compelled to make it right." He added.
"You make me sound like some kind of lunatic superhero" she muttered embarrassed.
"Oh.no" he assured her. "That's not what I mean at all. You made my life and my daughter's life better by giving me this chance."
"All I did was bring her to you Draco. But you made your relationship with Ashlynn all by yourself. And besides" she added, "I probably wouldn't have had I not seen the torment it brought you."
"I'm not so sure of that," he said "You're unique, Weasley. You're the kind of person who makes great things happen"
Ginny's face screwed up with disbelief "What in the world are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about this crazy, mixed up situation with Hermione." His fingertips brushed across hers softly "You knew Ashlynn needed to know her father. And despite the fact I couldn't come to terms with Harry "
His face grew full of regret "Hell let's face it, I didn't want to deal with it at all. I was furious by the fact that Harry and taken them both from me."
He stood up letting his hand fall to her shoulder as his breath left him in a rush "I simply need to deal with things as they come. And that's what I intend to do."
He stared deeply into her eyes. "But I want to thank you for all your help so far"
"I will continue to help you in any way I can" she assured him.
For a moment they were quite. He slid his fingertips up the curve of her neck. The silky heat of his skin on hers was enticing and he loved it. The sudden admittance of that shocked him.
He didn't know what was happening here but whatever it was he found himself not wanting to fight it.
"You know that right," she said softly
"I guess I do" he admitted before surprising them both and crushed her lips with his own.
They kissed madly as if any second they would be ripped apart. They both greedily explored each other's mouths as he slowly carried her up the stairs.
Ginny didn't know where he was taking her but she hoped it was the bedroom. Never in her life had she expected to kiss Draco malfoy but yet here she was and god help her she never wanted to stop.
Draco kicked the door open, careful not to disrupt the magic of the moment. Something about her got to him. Maybe it was the fact she risked her neck for him. Or the newfound beauty he finally saw in her.
He laid her down gently on the bed, breaking the kiss to lace little kisses above her collar. He smirked as she moaned softly.
Suddenly, the room around Ginny begin to recede, till she was aware of nothing but Draco's soft lips on her body. Her lips fell slightly apart. Her mouth went dry and her skin broke out in goose bumps.
She was responding to his touch and he liked it. He prided himself of the fact he had that power. Hermione had always responded to his gentle touches. Hermione…
Ginny opened her eyes feeling him stop. Sitting up she looked worried. Draco watched her intently. Ginny frowned as his eyes flashed sadness.
Of course, it had to be Hermione.
Ginny mustered all her strength to force a smile to her lips. "It's okay Draco. I understand. You want Hermione. It's perfectly normal."
Very dimly she buttoned her shirt back up.
Without saying a word, Draco drew her into his arms, his eyes not leaving hers as he let them do his talking. As he pressed her stomach against his stark arousal the most exquisite sensations gripped Ginny's body.
Her nipples hardened. Her belly quivered and her insides contracted. Her arms slipped up around his neck and their bodies melded even closer together.
Tonight I want you," he whispered into her hair.
"Then tonight I'm yours," she answered shakily.
They made love a few times before they finally called it quits from sheer exhaustion.
"Wow I don't think I can move" Ginny laughed. She turned her head as Draco chuckled. "I am a god, I should have warned you," he said grinning.
"A god hmm. Well I wouldn't go that far" she teased him.
He rose his eyebrow "Awe but I would. Ask Hermione what.." his voiced trailed off as the smile vanished from her mouth.
"Oh, shit Ginny. I'm sorry I" he sighed, "I wasn't thinking when I was talking," he said.
"It's okay Malfoy. No harm done" she lied. "I should be going, I have to open the shop tomorrow"
Ginny stood up searching for her skirt.
"You don't have to go," he said groaning. "Stay, Ginny I said I was sorry"
She turned around zipping up her skirt and smiled "Like I said Draco. No harm done." Slipping her shirt on she sighed.
"And to prove it Ashlynn and I are going to Hogsmeade on Tuesday. Why don't you meet us there. After that the three of us can come back to the manor."
Draco quickly stood up allowing Ginny to see his fully naked body. Her cheeks redden as she struggled not to stare.
"You see what I mean. Here I am being an ass and you still want to help me." He said softly.
He brushed a few strands of hair from her face. "For what it's worth I really enjoyed tonight," he told her.
"Me too. So I'll see you Tuesday then?" she asked. "Tuesday it is" he agreed. "Sure you won't stay" he tried again.
"Maybe another time" she said before walking to the door.
Draco followed her to the front door. He felt like such an arse. Why he had to mention Hermione after they had sex was beyond him. Ginny was the only one who was willing to help him and he repays her by sleeping with her and referring to his ex lover.
She must have thought he was the most self-centered bastard in the whole world. And who could blame her. He acted like one.
He slowly made his way back to his room passing the many pictures that hung they hallway. Opening his bedroom door he stopped glancing at a picture.
It was him and Hermione, when they first got together. Man how happy they were back then. It was he and she against the world. He always thought they would be together forever.
But now she was married to potter and raising his daughter without him.
Draco traced her face lightly with his finger "I miss you Hermione" he whispered.
His eyes rested on the bed, still disarrayed from the intense sex he shared with Ginny. She was something else in the lover department.
Of course it wasn't what he shared with Hermione. They gave with everything they had. It was special not just sex. They made love with the heart and souls.
He missed her; he would be a fool not to admit it. But could he really walk away from her. Walking away would seal Potter's victory.
He laid down with a sigh. Sure some part of him missed Hermione deeply. But he couldn't shake the vision of a certain red head. He couldn't explain his sudden pull to her.
Closing his eyes he drifted of to sleep. Little did he know she would be waiting for him in his dreams. Waiting to challenge him and his feelings for Hermione.
Ginny sat in tub wiping the tears from her eyes. She did it again. She allowed herself to fall for a man who was smitten with another. Why did she keep putting herself in harms way?
She leaned back closing her eyes. Their lovemaking replayed through her mind. The soft way he kissed her. The slow rhythm of his body as he moved with her.
Tonight I want you she remembered him saying. Tonight but not tomorrow she thought sighing once again as she sank deeper into the bubbles.
She was going to continue to bring Ashlynn to him and just hope her newfound feelings would slip away. Somehow that seemed harder then it sounded.
Harry watched her sleeping from the door. Her face lacked the worry she showed the past week. She was beginning to relax now. And he couldn't be happier.
He hated the fact she lived in fear. Wasn't he supposed to make everything better? Hell he was trying. Draco hadn't made a move to talk to her or Ashlynn. At least his talk with him had an impact.
He hoped it would be enough. He didn't know where Hermione's sudden lack of fear came from but he sure was glad it showed it's self.
He wondered if his life was becoming difficult to control. It felt that way here lately. She moaned causing him to look up. She only stirred sighing contently as she rolled over.
The sheet dropped down revealing the soft pink nightie that covered her body. Damn, but that was the last image of her he wanted in his head, especially now with no chance of their making love. He wouldn't dare wake her.
But the image stayed. And so did the desire that came with it.
Harry gave vent to a sigh. Life had turned very difficult indeed.
The weekend had come and gone and things were getting no better for Draco. Harry was still being an ass. Not to mention the two dorks that followed him everywhere.
To make matters worse he hadn't spoke to Ginny since Friday night. He broke down and called her Sunday but she never answered. He assumed she was mad at him still.
Not that she didn't have a right too. He couldn't stand the thought of her thinking ill of him. Chuckling to himself he shook his head. Funny how he of all people cared what a Weasley thought.
Well at least he would have his chance to talk to her tonight. It was Tuesday and that meant Hogsmeade. He was finally going to see his daughter. And Ginny his mind reminded him.
Looking at the clock it was nearly five o'clock. He should head home now. Maybe clean up a bit before he had to go. They were having a meeting tonight but thank god it was only for the department heads.
Draco grabbed his briefcase and headed for the lift. "Off so soon ferret" he heard Ron snicker. Turning around Draco growled. "Sod off weasel" he spat.
"Leave him Ron" Harry said "Maybe he has big plans tonight" he glared at Draco. Sure he was acting childish but some childhood thing you didn't outgrow.
"Big death eater meeting Malfoy?" Ron asked just as Draco stepped onto the lift.
Draco smirked as his eyebrow rose "If you only knew" he said his eyes never left Harry till the door of the lift closed and he was gone.
"Like we want to know," Ron said rolling his eyes. "Yeah" Harry agreed walking toward the meeting room. Though he couldn't help but wonder what he meant by that.
Ginny entered the Potter's flat finding Ashlynn playing with her dolls. "Hi ginny" she said. Ginny rubbed her head. "Hey kiddo, where is your mum?" she asked her.
Without looking up, Ashlynn said, "In the kitchen going mental"
Ginny smiled, knowing that Ashlynn had to mimicking Ron's words.
"Right the kitchen" she said heading towards it.
Hermione nodded to Ginny as she entered the kitchen. "Yes, I understand. Okay see you at home". She sighed hanging up the phone.
"What's wrong?" Ginny asked pulling up a chair.
Frowning Hermione threw her hands up. "Well I promised Lavender I would help shop for the baby and I really don't want to lug Ashlynn around with a bunch of stuff" she huffed.
"Harry was going to watch her and now he has to stay late for a meeting. I have no choice but to take her." She said.
"Looks like I have perfect timing" Ginny laughed.
Hermione glanced at her "For?"
"It just so happens I was coming to ask if Ashlynn wanted to accompany me to Hogsmeade. Ice cream was promised and all that stuff," she laughed.
Jumping up Hermione threw her arms around her "Ginny, you're a life saver. I'm going to Diagon Alley and then I'll pick her up Straight after."
Waving a hand Ginny grabbed up her purse "Nonsense, I'll drop her by later. Take your time"
"Great, let me ring Lav" Hermione grabbed up the phone.
"Go ahead. I'll get Ashlynn and head out. See you in a bit" she called walking out to the living room.
Draco paced in front of the Three Broomsticks. She should have been here by now. What if she changed her mind? He deserved it if she did.
Sighing he thought about leaving when he spotted the luscious shine of red hair. Making it's way through the crowd. He moved meeting her in the middle.
He smiled eyeing his beautiful daughter. Her little brown curls bounced as she fought to keep up with Ginny.
"Hi, little one" he smiled. "Hello Mr. Malfoy" she grinned ever so politely. He hated her calling him Mr. Malfoy, he wanted her to call him what he rightly was her father.
But he just smiled as if nothing bothering him. "It's good to see you again." She giggled as he handed her a stuffed dragon.
"Nice to see you to Weasley" he whispered. Ginny nodded but she didn't speak.
"Let's walk down to the lake," he said quickly, deciding a public walkway filled with people would pose the least risk. "Soak up some of the ambience"
A slight frown appeared, but she nodded. "Fine. Let's go".
The evening air was unusually warm. The crowd was thick and in a rollicking mood. Lights from the shops bounced off the water.
But Draco felt edgy. He shoved his hands into the pocket of his robes to keep from reaching out to help guide Ginny as she walked along side him and Ashlynn.
Glancing sideways he saw that she came up above his shoulder. The perfect fit for him. He could already feel how it would be to put an arm around her slender form and curl her up against him.
He swore softly, fed up with the way his mind kept trending.
"What?" she said quizzically, glancing upwards in a way that emphasized the almond shape of her big brown eyes, her dark lashes leaving long shadows on her cheeks.
Ashlynn ran ahead chasing a ducky. He swallowed hard and looked to the sky for help. "Sorry" he said shortly. "I just had a thought"
"Quite an unusual experience for you I guess" she said archly. "Do you swear every time you get one of those?"
He stared at her, fighting off the impulse to grab her and either shake her or kiss her. "You know what?" he said instead. "You're as big a brat now as you were when we were kids."
She glared at him. "Why not? Your no better"
The crowd surged around them as someone bumped against Ginny, sending her flying into his arms.
"Sorry" grumbled a voice but Draco's first instinct to go after the prat evaporated as he looked down into her face and felt the softness of her body against the strength of his.
Time stood still. He couldn't breath. All he could think about was how he held her last night. How good she felt naked under his body.
Then things went back to normal and they pulled apart avoiding each other sternly, walking quickly behind Ashlynn. Draco turned into the rail of the lake and leaned his elbows on the rail, staring into the water. Ginny settled along side him.
It was too late to pretend he didn't react to her like a bug on a hot skillet. Everything she did, every time she moved, everything she said, triggered a response in him of one kind or another.
If he couldn't conquer it, at least he had to learn to hide it. He stood very still, steeling himself. Time to take back the controls, all the way around. Otherwise he was going to turn into a mushy mess. And that couldn't happen.
Ginny sighed. Why was she acting like a shrew? He was only being nice and here she was acting like a spoiled brat. He was right she was a big brat. She may be hurt but that was no reason to treat him like dirt.
"Draco, I'm sorry. I know I acted rudely back there" she sighed. Draco gave a small smile "Hey it's fine. I really didn't give you a reason not to." He told her.
"No you didn't do anything. I'm just being a brat" she chuckled.
"That's quite all right Weasley" He nudged her "Friends?" he asked. "Friends" she agreed.
"What to go to bed?" He roared with laughter as her face turned red. "Draco you're impossible," she laughed.
Ashlynn tugged on his pant leg making Draco feel guilty. He was supposed to be visiting his daughter not flirting with Ginny.
"Mr. Malfoy, can I have some chocolate milk please?" her wide eyes hopeful.
Draco grinned, "Sweetheart, you can have anything you want," he told her. "Anything" she gasped eyeing a toy story on the corner.
Ginny smirked once she saw what Ashlynn was looking at. "Be careful what you ask for," Ginny said laughing nodding toward the store.
Draco shrugged "Anything she wants" he said taking hold of Ginny's hand and Ashlynn's hand. "First stop, chocolate milk, next stop toy store"
Lavender sat down ready to cry "Hermione, all these stores and not one blue turtle" she sniffed. "All I want is one blue turtle for my son's room."
Hermione smiled she felt bad for her friend. Having a baby made you so emotional, Hermione could relate. Harry had to put up with so much after Ashlynn was born.
"Hey, we can try the toy store in Hogsmeade. It's not far from here and I'm sure their bound to have a blue turtle," Hermione said patting her hand sympathetically.
"You sure you don't mind" Lavender asked weakly.
"Not at all. Ginny has Ashlynn still so we can check it out" she reassured her.
Lavender laughed back a sob "Okay let's go then"
They headed out of the shop laughing merrily, swinging the many bags behind them.
Okay chapter 11 is done. Please review and chapter 12 up soon. Till then please review responsibly.