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Chapter 3- Convincing the worldMalfoy Holding's was quite crowed by the time Ginny showed up and quietly slipped through the front doors. Becky stood behind the front desk, answering questions and looking quite annoyed.
"I'm going to see about opening a vault" She heard a woman tell what appeared to be a friend. Or competition for all Ginny knew.
"Will that be with Draco?" the girl asked.
"It has to be, as far as I'm concerned. Where is he? Still locked up in his office?" The first girl replied making Ginny roll her eyes. These women didn't know Draco. Yet neither did she anymore.
Ginny cleared her throat and spoke over the female voices "Becky?" she said.
"Oh, hi Ginny" Becky smiled and waved, as if she known Ginny for half her life. She almost laughed at the difference of the greeting compared to the one she got this morning. Draco must have brought her up to speed on his plan.
"Is my husband around, do you know? We're supposed to have lunch." Ginny asked smiling.
The door to the office opened and Becky hollered down the hall. "Draco? Is that you? Ginny's here for lunch".
You could have heard a pin drop as all jaws dropped and the front lobby seemed to still. Ginny felt a wicked burst of pleasure that shamed her as soon as it happened.
Yes, that successful, handsome man is my husband, but don't go off to drown your sorrows, ladies, because this is all an act and we're getting a divorce as soon as we can.
Our marriage didn't last. In truth I have nothing to boast about. Thinking this she suddenly wondered what shape her mouth was.
Lemons again? She hoped not, she never thought of herself as a bitter person in any way, but maybe.
Draco appeared. "Ginny" His face lit up as if she'd been on his mind all day. It was an excellent performance. "I wont be back today Becky," he said.
Everyone in the room probably imagined, from the look on his face, that he would be spending the rest of the day in bed. With company.
But they were wrong of course. He had another office at home. Becky would find him there, if she needed him. She knew it. Draco knew it. Ginny knew it.
Everyone else was free to think what they wanted too.
"Ready Gin?" he asked putting his arm around her. "So?" the girl from earlier said looking at the husband and wife. "Bachelor of the Year?"
"Hey" Draco said shrugging "Sometimes reporters don't always get the facts right" he said with a regretful grin and dropped his arm around Ginny. He couldn't help but notice how nice it felt in that position.
They made their way to the restaurant and as soon as they were seated, at the most visible table she noticed. Ginny told him. "I'm not going to like this Draco."
"Gin" he sighed "We'll only have to keep this up for a bit longer. Once the heat dies down we can go back to our normal lives. I promise."
"Good" was all she said.
"Remember how easy a conversation was with us?" he said noticing her thoughtful face for a moment. He became shocked when he heard the huskiness in his voice. "Easiest thing in the world"
Heck, where did that come from? He wondered. Not just the words but also the tone of his voice as well. What was he trying to do here? Him and Ginny were through. Over.
They couldn't go back. Not when the problems still existed.
"So how is Hogwarts these days? He asked noticed they were slacking on their performance. "You still love teaching?"
She smiled as she thought of her work. "Yes. I think I always will." She said.
He smiled "Can't be easy for you."
"I had a tough class this past year." She nodded. "A few of my students made the year a little challenging for me. Slytherin of course" she told him as if he needed to know his house still continued to torment professors.
"Well I'd be lying if I didn't say I was proud to see Slytherin house hasn't changed." He smiled smugly.
"Yeah. I suppose you're right. I feel they same way about Gryffindor every time we beat them." Now it was her turn to look smug.
"And your family? How are they doing?" he asked pretending to not hear her crack on his old house. He didn't hear her phone conversation this morning, but remembered that it was the factor in her staying.
To see if the rest of the family could survive without her. This had been the clear implication. Ginny's mum had just passed away when he left.
And her brothers turned to her for support. She was the next thing to a mother they had. But they had jobs and responsibilities. Her older brothers Charlie and Bill had wives and babies, even.
He couldn't figure out why they depended on her so much. As for her father…
If he hadn't changed much in the last eight years then he was a good man still. Hardworking and committed to serving the ministry of magic.
But after Molly's death he through himself into his work and used his heavy schedule as a shameless excuse to set aside all responsibility for his own health.
Draco noticed it shortly before he left and mentioned it to Ginny a few times but she never listened.
"I just lost my mum," she told him then. "I'm not going to lose my dad too. If I have to nag him to every appointment I will. If I have to keep after my brother's to keep straight then I will."
He didn't press it further and how could he? Not everybody faced a challenge like he did, wanting to take action, fight, learn, and change.
"Well everyone is doing good. Fred and George still have the shop. And Ron is one of the top Aura's now; he's even dating Luna lovegood. Bill and Charlie are good." She told him.
"Oh, and Harry and Hermione are getting ready for their first child." She added.
"All thanks to you" he said. "You helped them through a difficult time"
"Well, I tried. It was the only thing I could do. When we lost mum." She tried to smile and he leaned closer to grab her hand.
"You never take credit where credit is due" he sighed, rubbing her hand with his fingers. "Well…" she smiled. And looked with an expression of relief.
"Here comes our lunch!" she said. "So we can let go of each other, you mean?" he dropped his voice and studied her face. "Was it that bad? Touching each other?"
Hell now he was flirting. That wasn't part of their plan. His only excuse was that it would help their performance as a married couple.
Ginny didn't answer instead she said "Let's get our stories straight on this marriage case someone ask"
Draco shrugged. "Let people think what they want as long as they see us happy. Who cares what they think. It doesn't matter if we appear newly weds or old timers."
"I agree, but I think it would still be wise to have something to fall back on just in case the questions start flying." Ginny said.
Draco shrugged "Then we'll tell them the truth that we have been married for twelve years and have been doing the lost distance thing due to other commitments by both of us."
Ginny frowned and Draco thought yes, I'd hate that too. Draco didn't tend to do things part way. When he wanted something, he got it. When he felt something, it was with every part of his body.
Marring Ginny twelve years ago completed every part of him. Body, mind, heart and soul. She had felt the same way he was sure of it. Maybe that was why they couldn't compromise in the end.
They needed either joined lives or separation. Something they both had in common. After all they were the all or nothing type.
And they ended up with nothing.
"Well I guess it's all we got," she said. "Yeah but only if someone ask. I have some things to do this afternoon Gin. And you need to buy some outfits for dinner tonight and tomorrow."
"I suppose I should. Wouldn't want you to get tired of my limited wardrobe" she rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"I wasn't implying your clothes…" he began but Ginny cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Don't bother. I'm going to hit the shops now so I can rest a while before dinner." She said standing up.
Draco quickly stood up after her. "Ginny I wasn't trying to upset you." He said.
"I know. I'm just a little tired that's all." She said.
He seemed to buy it cause he didn't question her any further on the matter as they exited the restaurant.
"Okay well the shops are expecting you and feel free to buy anything you want. Remember I'm covering the tab. I'll see you later tonight." Draco said squeezing her hand softly.
In truth Ginny was tired. Tired of wondering why she agreed to stay. This was beginning to drain her. She could feel it. But he asked her for help.
And husband or soon to be ex husband, she could help him this one last time. She just hoped in doing that she wouldn't need to help herself.
Draco got home around six that night and was surprised notto see her as soon as he walked in. Surely she would have heard him come in or at least his footsteps across the house.
But she didn't or she didn't care to show herself to him. Maybe she was asleep? He had talked to the owners of the shops he told her about and heard she had some beautiful outfits.
And now he felt a very male curiosity about how she would look tonight. And to where she might be. Walking up the stairs he headed to his room.
He would get out of his robes first and then look for her. He walked past the bathroom and swore he heard something. His curiosity shifted and took a more immediate form.
Quietly and slowly he opened the door. Just as Ginny stepped out of the tub. He got a glimpse of skin. A lot of skin, glistening with water droplets.
And god help him he couldn't take his eyes away from her. She was completely naked and completely beautiful. Ginny paled and gasped as she scrambled for her towel.
No, Draco. She wanted to die. She quickly reached for the towel and his view got even better. Quite fabulous, in fact.
"Get out. Right now." She screamed.
Draco reluctantly turned away, hearing her voice carry down the hall. "How dare you barge in on people. Have you ever heard of knocking?"
At that point Draco walked out of earshot, but the whole scene of her naked wet body stayed on his mind more than it should have.
How could he have forgotten the way she got to him? How was it so strong after so long? Draco knew he would ache all over again when she went back to her family, the way he ached for her month after month when she hadn't followed him here eight years ago.
He didn't want to think about it. Definitely didn't want to let it show.
A few minutes later, from his room along the corridor he heard her footsteps in the hallway. He called out a greeting to warn her of his presence just in case hadn't gotten dressed yet.
She had he found out a minute later when he entered the room. The view was still pretty spectacular however he admitted to himself.
"I thought we could show up for dinner around seven," he said, making his voice as bland as possible. "As long as it works for you. And I'm sorry for walking in on you." He added.
"It's fine." She answered "You just caught me off guard. And besides it's not like you haven't seen me before" she said though he could tell she was still upset about it.
"Seven would be okay. I guess I'll go get ready then" she told him and headed for her room. By the time he got ready for dinner in his black dress robes and headed for the living room she was already ready,
And she took his breath away as she came down the stairs.
The brand new midnight blue dress made a wide v from her shoulders down the top of her breast. A little lower it clung to her body tightly finishing just above her knees.
Her high heels nicely matched her dress and made her legs look longer. She had piled her hair loosely on her head allowing a few strays to curl around her face.
Her eyes were darker than usual and her mouth looked fuller, as if she knew what kind of effect she would have on him before he even seen her.
As if she wanted it and answered it with a reaction that was every bit the same.
Don't let her see it Draco. Play it down.
Because where could this go? Nowhere. The same old ground.
Desire was one thing but a marriage was different.
"You look nice." He said as they headed out. It sounded like a polite formula he could barely trouble himself to get out. "So do you," she answered back, her voice a little thin.
"In that case we should make one convincing couple," he said to her.
"Is this achieving anything Draco? How long before we can conclude that it's working, or isn't? I'm not staying here if there is no point."
"Ginny everything is going to work out and you'll see it will go by before we know it" Draco said.
"You're right. I'm sure everything will be okay" she tried to smile. Draco got the idea she might have been reassuring herself rather than agreeing with him.
They knew every table was focused on theirs. They dangled in small talk over dinner of lobster and steak. Talking briefly of the weather and Hogwarts upcoming year.
Each smiled and laughed, as any normal married couple would. Yes it was quite a show. Draco noticed a repoter for the Daily Prophet and signaled him over.
"Danny" he called. "Over here."
"Evening Mr. Malfoy." Danny said. "How about a picture for the paper?" Draco asked.
"Really!" Danny asked in surprise. "Wow, This will defiantly make the front page. Bachelor of the Year" he laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you get the caption right. Draco and Ginny Malfoy. Owners of Malfoy Holdings share a lovely dinner." Draco laughed.
Danny snapped the picture and thanked them before moving on to another table.
"Want to take a walk along Diagon Alley?" Draco suggested. "There seems to be a crowd of folks out tonight. Someone could see us and fuel the rumors of our marriage."
"I guess I could stand it for a little longer" she answered.
Outside, he put his arm around her, but they didn't talk and she had time to see the looks they attracted. She wondered what they were thinking.
Was this really a long distance marriage that Draco forgot to mention to them? Were they newly married? Whatever the truth was it had to be clear to most people that the Bachelor of the Year thing had been blown out of the water.
They stopped coming up to the small lake that rested near then end of Diagon Alley. The lightening bugs flickered on the water, blending in with the soft light of the moon.
If you looked really hard you could see the flowers swaying softly with the breeze. "Good spot." Do you think?" Draco asked.
"Yes. It's a beautiful spot" she answered, but that wasn't what he meant, it turned out.
"For me to kiss you." He whispered. "Oh, no you don't Draco. Do you really think…?" She stammered.
"Yes I do think." Draco said and he swung her lightly across the front of his body, and then looked down into her face. His mouth was only inches from hers and she could feel he getting closer.
And it was a good thing he was strong cause she wasn't at all, right then. She was surely going to fall if he let her go.
"A small one Gin, please" he said. They were so close she could feel his breath on her skin. "Please"
Before she could protest he finished speaking and kissed her. He went for it and didn't stop. He tasted familiar, and yet as new as something she never experienced before.
His lips were parted slightly, and they moved as if they were on a quest for some new found discovery. Ginny's own lips softened on a sigh.
Her closed without her permission. This was crazy. It was dangerous. "That's enough," she managed to say, even though she didn't stop.
"No it's not" he sighed. "It's nowhere near enough." And bent his head and kissed her again. Sending her falling into a world she forgotten she once belonged to.
There is chapter 3. Hope you guys liked it and I want to say thanks to all of you who have reviewed.
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