Dead bodies littered the streets for miles around, some lying disjointed out on their own, others huddled up in a heap as if it could have protected them for an attack. Something almost like pity flared up inside the woman kicking the bodies gently with a foot, though it was soon snorted away. She had helped kill these people, and had found it a lot easier then she thought it would be. There was a party starting soon, but she just had to find it…
There. A bushy mane of hair, almost a wild animal all on its own. Pushing the other bodies from Hermione's own, a feral grin crept up her face as she undid the first two buttons of Hermione's shirt, revealing the spinning golden globe that had been hidden there. She pawed it for a moment, eyes addicted to the swirling design, before unfastening it and laying it in the palm of her hand. Gold, red and orange danced together to make the memorizing pattern she saw before her. It was a pretty piece of jewellery- not the amazing weapon that the Order thought it to be. And on a whim she had wanted it, so had made sure that Hermione was caught up in the rush of events here today. Harry and Ron might be upset, but it didn't really matter. Hermione had always annoyed her.
Cinnamon eyes scanned the street before a loud crack symbolized her apparition, not even looking about her as she found herself in a large flat. Her large flat. When she had joined she had only been a poor Weasley, the richer members making her allow them to pay for her comfort. But she had paid them back more then twice over now- with as many contacts as she had made, it was no wonder she got landed in one of the high ministry positions with a high pay. With no-one but herself to look after, the money was enough to ensure her wealthy status for a long time to come. Not a single penny would go to her old family.
Her allegiance was clear now. After deciding that she wouldn't let Draco graduate before her, she studied religiously for the seventh year NEWTS. Passing with flying colours, and amazement from the 'trio', she nastily brushed off their congratulations and left with Draco, not returning to the Burrow. Having never once replied to any of her family's owls, they were probably worried sick about her whereabouts. But then, it didn't really matter to her what they thought. Maybe if they had been more understanding then she would have stayed. Anyway, it was in the past now.
Party. Yes. She was soon stripped and standing in the shower, fiery locks being washed carefully, using the shampoo that she knew drove Draco wild. Almost four years now since she had met him, and he had never once reacted to her flirting or suggestive hints. So tonight was the night she would give up, move on to another man she found there. Who knows- maybe he would get jealous and come crawling back to her. In her dreams maybe. The Malfoy billionaire was the top man on the market, for nearly every woman in the world. She was lucky to have his friendship and trust.
Stepping neatly out of the large glass shower, she wrapped a huge fluffy towel a few times around her lean body before entering the bedroom. Moving straight across to the wall of wardrobes she had installed, dress upon dress was thrown out onto the bed. She wanted to look good today, to attract the eyes of any attractive men attending. And it would have to match the necklace lying on her dresser, for she had gone to enough trouble to find it.
A pale gold dress was decided on, with tan stiletto heels to go with it. The halter dress fit her small breast snugly, flowing over a flat stomach and soft hips. Definitely not the motherly figure that her mother was, for Virginia was only softly feminine. With pale milky skin dusted with freckles, she thought she looked like a goddess, as she let her wet curls tumble down her back, soon casting a drying charm on them, freezing them in the position they had taken. Stilettos on first- would be much more difficult to put them on with the gold dress restricting her movement. And then her knickers were added on, a scrap of red silk was slid up her legs and into place. The sports bra she had been wearing earlier was left on the bathroom floor, and she didn't bother replacing it with another one. The halter dress dipped low down her breasts, and any bra that she might find would be revealed by the gown.
The dress was tugged on, tight enough to snugly fit her curves and show her body off to others in the room. Glancing at herself in the mirror, she was pleased with how her body looked in it. The necklace was fastened around her neck carefully, and muggle makeup applied softly to her face. Mascara, eyeshadow, blusher, lipgloss and the tiniest smudge of eyeliner. She had found it always to look better when the makeup looked natural, and she didn't need much to accentuate her large eyes. The outfit was slightly more daring then she usually went for, but life was for living after all. She was taking a risk tonight, but would hopefully reap the benefits.
Glancing at the large clock in her apartment, she almost ran to the wardrobe when she saw that she would be late for the party. Small golden handbag was hastily pulled out, her essentials placed carefully inside. Wand, keys, headache potion…that was all she would need at this party. She wasn't expecting to go out again afterwards, unless it was home with some nice guy she met at the party. Virginia wanted to have some fun tonight, and it didn't really matter if whatever she found didn't end up as a long term relationship. It would be nice if it did, but nobody in life would be lucky enough for that to happen.
Glancing once again round the slightly messing apartment, Ginny apparated with a sharp 'crack', soon finding herself in the waiting room of the large Malfoy mansion. There were a few other people there too, so Ginny did not find herself arriving too late. Politely going over to them, and talking to those that she knew, she idly passed the time waiting for the carriage trading compliments and carefully hidden insults. But it was only a game to her, and she could play it with the best- after all, her mentor was the finest at it. No-one could beat Draco Malfoy in a game of hidden words, though she had tried many times.
The carriage ride was uneventful, for she had ridden in the ornate carriages many times before. The reactions of the people who hadn't were interesting though, at the sighs of admiration and jealousy. Shame Draco wasn't here to hear it- he always loved knowing he was above anyone else. Vain and arrogant, but he had every reason in the world to be. He was handsome, intelligent, wealthy, caring. Not usually associated with him, but Ginny had seen Draco in the times when his mask of ice had broken, and had seen another side to him that he rarely showed, even to her. Maybe he would show himself more to whoever he chose as a wife.
She was exiting the carriage now, walking through the impressive double doors that were almost three times the height of her, innately carved and gilded. A little ugly in Ginny's subtle tastes, but they did make sure that new guests walked around half stunned, meaning that Draco could assess them before they did to him. She found herself in the front of the group, leading others toward the ballroom as it was almost too easy to get lost in the Malfoy mansion. The house shifted round on you, so passageways changed at rooms swapped positions. But she had always been able to find the rooms, after directions from Draco. If you thought about the room in a certain way, and didn't think about anything else while just letting yourself walk, you would find yourself in front of the wanted room with a shock.
Talk of the devil. Here was Draco himself, that soft smile shifting around his face, apologizing for not being there to meet them. He didn't even give Ginny the slightest acknowledgement, no more then he gave to anyone else. Cold, impassive and proud- a true Malfoy heir. But when raised in a family such as this, she couldn't expect much else. Maybe she was better backing off and finding a safer man to love, as the games that Draco Malfoy played had stakes too high for her to keep up with. He could have anything he wanted, and she was still only low down in the crowd, her Weasley surname keeping her from fitting in properly.
The voices grew louder as they approached the ballroom, and soon Ginny had left the group she had entered with to try and find the bar. Standing to the side, a crystal flute of the very best champagne lightly clasped in a slender hand, she had a pretty good advantage point of the room, from where she could look at who was here. The large room was quite full, but nobody turned down Malfoy's parties. Not only was there no-one who wanted to offend Malfoy, but boycotting the party would mean missing out on vital gossip. It was almost like an old fashioned court, over which Draco presided Lord and Ruler.
A warm hand on her shoulder snapped her back into the real world, and she turned her head back around to see a handsome face smiling back at her. Blaise Zabini, one of Draco's housemates. She knew him a little bit, though he was privileged enough to be one of the few Draco trusted. His only friend, if you wanted. But the dark Italian man was more cheerful then Draco was, and Ginny enjoyed his presence. The few times she had spoken to him he had made her feel laid back and calm, and not at all uncomfortable about chattering away to an almost total stranger.
"Did you not bring a date with you, Virginia?"
Ginny shook her head at him, indicating the empty space around her. There was no point bringing a date- after all; that was what she was here tonight for. To find someone she could have some fun with, before parting ways and moving on to someone else. No clingy relationship, just a couple of nights full of fun and romance.
"Nah. I'm going to look for one tonight. How about yourself? I've never seen you at any event without a girl draped across both arms"
Blaise chuckled appreciatively, before offering his arm to Ginny in an attempt to get her to dance.
"No, my lady, I did not. I couldn't stand the sight of these cheap Slytherin bints for much longer. But please- do me the pleasure of accepting a dance. Such a beautiful creature can't just cling to the sides of the room."
Rolling her eyes at his archaic language, she placed her drink down and her arm on his, and allowed him to pull her towards the dance floor. She laughed at the way her spun her around, almost sending her cannonballing into the couple nearest to them. But he was too light on his feet to allow that to happen- like Draco, Blaise had been forced to take dancing lessons when he was younger, and he kept himself in shape well. Quidditch probably, for he had joined the team as chaser in his last year, and had played for the Falmouth Falcons for a few years after leaving Hogwarts. Now though, he ran his own business- one closely in connection with Malfoy Enterprises. The two slytherins sometimes worked together on business propositions and advertising, though other times they came out rivals.
The dance was over far too soon, and Ginny returned to her abandoned drink. Drinking the substance slowly, her eyes devoured the cream of society spread out across the ballroom. Her eyes picked out Draco from amongst the throngs of people, noting that he was already dancing with one of the more beautiful girls that had turned up. She turned, with a mind to speak to Blaise about something, but found that he had already left her for another dance. So Ginny Weasley clung to the side of the room like a limpet, each empty glass of champagne smoothly exchanged with the next.
"I think you've had enough to drink. Would you care for a dance?"
Whirling round, her tipsy head complaining, she turned to stare into emotionless steel eyes. Draco Malfoy was standing before her, his hand already slipping around her elbow as he knew she would not decline him. Nobody would dare to.
