Chapter 7
By the time Friday rolled around I was ready to get out of the office. It felt like I was moving around in circles trying to trace figures to each transaction. What had been a beautiful, posh office now looked like a hurricane had come through. Mounds of ledgers stacked the floor that a small child could be standing, and you still wouldn't see them. The most nerve-racking part about this was of course Draco. How could it not be? It was like he infected the whole floor by his presence. The minute I would step out of the floo I would know if he was here because his cologne would be in the air.
Groaning, I rubbed my eyes; sore from squinting at illegible scratching's of the godforsaken person in charge of writing the ledgers. I needed a break.
"Damn Edwards. What the hell happened in here?"
Glancing up I found Blaise coming into the room, shock written on his face as he took in the state of my office. "Don't even start with me. I get enough of it from Draco." I complained leaning back in my chair with a sigh.
He was dressed in tight black slacks with a dark maroon button down tucked into the waist band. He finally turned and I tried not to cringe as he took in my appearance. Which I knew was positively out of control.
"You need a drink." Blaise states summoning one to my desk as he took a seat in the chair across from me, "Do I need to walk over to Draco's office at yell at him for working you like a barrel rider or is this your own doing?"
"Thanks." I remarked taking the glass and downing the drink. Savoring the cold exterior as the liqueur burned, setting flames as it went down, "It's mostly my own doing. I have never looked forward to a weekend as much as today."
"I can tell."
Blaise refills my drink and summons an identical one for himself. It was funny how in a week the two of us bonded even though we barely knew each other at Hogwarts. It was all the time we spent pouring over the ledgers that finally got us to understand each other.
"I hope you're not going home to drink wine and sit alone in your flat." Blaise remarks giving me a stern look.
"No, I'm supposed to meet friends at a Pub for drinks in a few hours. Hermione, Ginny and I think Lavender are coming over in-" I began before glancing down at my watch, "about two hours."
"Which pub?" Blaise pressed on.
"The Ruby."
"Ah, I heard good things about it, haven't gone there myself yet."
I glanced up at him as he trailed on taking a sip of his drink as he tried to smooth talk his way into coming. Groaning I knew that at this point I'd have to invite him, or I wouldn't hear the end of it.
"Well, you're more than welcome to come if you don't mind hanging out with a bunch of Gryffindor's." I tease, smirking at him.
"Please, it won't be a good time until I show up." Blaise drawls.
I laugh at his remark inwardly thanking him for the drink. It rounded down my nerves and I felt calmer than I did 5 minutes ago. Of course, I wouldn't tell him because he wouldn't let me live it down.
"Well I guess I'll have to wait and see. Thank you for the drink." I remark waving the glass away and standing up to gather my things, "We will probably be there around 10. If you go up to the bar and tell them you're with the private party they'll take you over to the secluded section."
"Secluded section. Too good for the regular people? I thought you guys were Gryffindor's."
I rolled my eyes at him as I grabbed my things, "Yeah, yeah. I'll see you there. Now get up so I can leave my office."
He scoffed at my command but followed me to the door, "Bossy Gryffindor."
I stuck my tongue out at him as I shut the door and he started towards Draco's office, "If you're going to bug Draco, tell him I said goodnight."
He waved goodbye and I laughed, shouldering my purse before heading for the floo. It was past normal hours and Kerry had already left for the day, leaving the hall quiet as I tried to think about what I was going to wear tonight.
….
"All right here's everyone's drinks. Next time get it yourself." Ron huffed as he puts the tray of drinks onto the table around us. The beers and cocktails sloshing about from the contact.
"Don't be giving us attitude, you were the one to offer." Ginny bites back before sipping on her cocktail.
"Settle down. I didn't come out to watch you guys squabble." Jacob remarks grabbing his beer as his eyes swept across the bar looking for anyone that caught his eye.
Not noticing Lavender desperately trying to get his attention and leaning forward onto the table. Hoping her cleavage would be enough to get his attention. Ginny and I shared a look and bust out laughing; knowing he'd get one drink in before leaving the group to go chat with the most attractive witch in the bar.
"Come on, I wanna go dance." Ginny remakes tugging on my arm and Hermione's as Lavender nodded eagerly.
"Hey! I haven't finished my drink yet and shouldn't you be making your husband go out and dance also." I remark trying finish my cocktail before Ginny gets impatient.
"No! Don't be dragging me into this!" Harry exclaims in horror.
"For heaven's sake!" Hermione remarks rolling her eyes at the group of us.
"Okay, okay." I exclaim finishing the drink with a slight buzz grabbing Ginny's hand as she screamed in delight and pulling Hermione's arm.
Bar Ruby was a newly refurbished pub that they converted the three stories into a huge bar. The first level was your typical water spot for after work drinks or grabbing a quick lunch. The second and third levels only opened on the weekend and had a bar, tables and private sections while music blared. The third level they converted into a mini club with lights, loud music and of course another bar. It was the hottest spot for young adults to mingle and relax. Laughing I continued to sway my hips as Lavender danced in front of me while Ginny was grinding on Hermione, laughing hysterically.
….
"I thought you said we were going to a pub not a night club." I remarked annoyed, shoving my way past a group of giggling girls.
"Live a little Draco. I thought it was just a pub but now that we're here…. this place is so much better than a pub!" Blaise yelled back to me before winking at the group of girls.
I rolled my eyes at my best friend's antics; he always had a flare for dramatics and wondered why I let myself get talked into going out tonight.
"Ah there!" Blaise pointed out with his hand.
Following his direction, I skimmed passed tables where a booth with rope around it… when I spotted the group in the private section…is that?! That fucking red hair!
"Is a Weasley over there?!" I exclaim grabbing onto Blaise's arm, "Is this the group you told me you were meeting?"
"Don't give me that look." Blaise remarks smirking at me, "I think you'll find this arrangement even better."
Glaring at him I pull my eyes back to the reserved table and once I found a mass of red hair, I couldn't help but narrow my eyes. What did I ever do to him? The group included Weasley, Potter and a guy I thought looked vaguely like Eva's Gringotts partner who was draped over a young girl.
"What the fuck is going on?"
"Our co-worker invited me out with her friends and of course I couldn't be the only Slytherin in the group." Blaise replies cheekily continuing to move to the table as he spoke, "don't look so upset."
I groan as we made our way over to the group scanning the dance floor for the missing people. There were too many bodies to be able to see anyone properly. I couldn't see this going well at all.
"Mind if we join you?" Blaise yells over the music to get Potters attention.
Turing slightly, I thought for sure Potter would be looking at us in surprise. Yet all he did was grin and wave us to the table. "I see you finally found your way here. Hello Malfoy, good of you to join us also." Harry remarks.
"Potter. Weasley." I remarked tensely unsure if any of this was good idea.
"Ah, I was wondering if we would ever meet." the other gentleman said grinning cheekily at me, "Jacob Grant. I was Eva's Gringotts partner."
….
"That guy at the bar was cute. What do you think about him?" Ginny yelled into my ear as we carried the tray of drinks to our table.
"Maybe. He seemed a bit young for me though."
"All the more reason to have a bit of fun. I have to live my life vicariously through you." Ginny bemoaned with a grin.
Laughing I didn't even try to respond to her as we continued to weave our way through people back to the table. However, I couldn't help but stop when pale blond hair on a body suspiciously like Draco's stood next to Blaise chatting with Harry and Ron. What the hell?!
"Oi, why did you stop, we're almost at the table." Ginny moaned coming up to me.
"Am I seeing things or does that look like Draco fucking Malfoy standing next to Blaise."
"What! How could you leave out the juicy detail that you invited Malfoy to come along as well?!" Ginny exclaims slapping my arm.
"Ow!" I remark glaring at her, "I didn't technically invite him, Blaise must have."
"Well don't just stand here."
Ginny retorts gently pushing me, getting my feet to finally move and I couldn't help but keep my eyes locked on the group the closer we got to our section. I didn't know what to feel about him being here, good, bad… dangerous even.
"There you are, took you forever!" Ron moaned grabbing the tray as people dived to grab their drinks.
"Shut up Ron, soon it'll be your turn to grab the drinks again." Ginny retorted back before Harry pulled her to his side.
"Blaise, Draco. I see you found your way here." I remarked greeting them as they turned around to watch us.
"Good to see you too." Blaise remarked before turning to Draco, "shall I order for you or are you coming up to the bar?"
"Just grab a beer for me."
I watched as Blaise made his way around the crowds of people before I turned back to Draco, taking a sip of my drink. "I see he convinced you to come out. Is this your first time here also?"
"Yes, he doesn't really take a no for an answer."
Opening my mouth to speak I was suddenly jerked as Hermione and Ginny started to drag me out onto the dance floor. I glanced back at Draco who only smirked in response, as I had barely enough time to set my glass down before they pulled me onto the floor, screaming how their husbands were no fun.
"I'll be back! Don't move!" Ginny yelled to us as Lavender made her way over to us.
"What?" I yell back, not hearing her over the music.
She just waved me away and I shrugged my shoulders as I continued to dance, adjusting my skirt as it started to rise. The three of us huddled closer singing along as the buzz from alcohol started to sneak up on us. Hands wrapped around my waist, glancing up I found a dark-haired wizard with a grin to make you melt. Grinning back, I allowed him slide up to me as we danced to the music and I closed my eyes briefly as I got lost in the music and the feel of his body against me.
"Get out of here."
Blinking I glanced up to find Draco standing inches away from me and glaring at the guy I was currently dancing with. His hands fell away and quickly made an exist when he recognized Draco. What the hell was his problem?
"What are you doing?!" I exclaim looking up at Draco who wasn't even looking at me. My booze filled brain barley giving me much self control as I was about to throttle him.
I ignored how Ginny and the rest of them glanced over at us curiously as both Draco and I were standing in a maze of dancing bodies as I waited for him to finally make eye contact at me. Slowly he tore his eyes away from the retreating figure and I was met with furious grey eyes that boar into me.
"Uh! Just dance together already!" Blaise shouts from behind Draco, shoving him into me.
I put my hands up at Draco ran into me, hands steading himself on my arms as my hands splayed against his chest. A cheer went up and I glanced over and glared as Hermione was laughing hysterically at me as she danced with Ron. I risked a glance up at Draco and our eyes locked again; all rational thoughts left me as I quickly took in how it felt to have his hands on me once again. Ignoring the fact that just a moment again I was pissed at him.
A haze came over me and I no longer had any control of masking the deeper feelings I still held for him. Vaguely remembering sending him a wink before pulling his hands down to my waist as I started to sway and mentally saying, fuck it. The disco lights shinning off the ceiling, a sea of bodies swaying to the music as the roar of the people and music dulled your ears as I danced the night away.
I can't even remember how many drinks we ended up doing, laughing hysterically at each other and dragging the guys onto the dance floor. Until we were all equally pissed drunk and exhausted.
...
"Are you guys even sober enough to make it home?" Draco questioned glancing between Ginny, Ron and me.
We were currently hanging onto each other laughing hysterically and I couldn't even understand why Draco was being so serious. We had left the Ruby at some point and after dragging everyone out for food at the Leaky Cauldron we were contemplating another round.
"Sober? We're crashing here tonight." Ron remarked teetering away from us to latch onto Hermione who squealed.
"Why are you being so serious right now?" Ginny remarked squinting at him, hands on her hips, "If you're not having any fun you can find the door behind you."
"Ginny!" I exclaim in shock.
"Potter take care of your wife." Draco remarked glaring at Ginny who shouted in exclamation, making Harry pull her away from Draco before a fight broke out.
"You shouldn't talk to her when she's pissed drunk." I remarked slowly, trying to get my brain and speech to be in sync, "She likes to pick fights if you let her."
"I can tell." Draco responds glancing down at me.
His clothes were all disheveled and his sleeves rolled up from dancing and was just a tad bit sober then the rest of us. Laughter distracted me and in a fog, I glanced over as Blaise was leaning over Lavender who was laughing in response to whatever he had said. Blinking slightly as my brain settled from the quick movement.
"Come on Edwards. I think it's time you and your friends call it a night."
He pulled on my arm gently, tugging me away from the rest of my drunk friends and I protested but he wouldn't loosen his grip. I felt myself get dragged up the stairs to where the rooms were located before I felt him shake me.
I glanced up confused and searched his eyes as he spoke, "Which room are you in?"
"14."
His gaze relaxed once I responded and he wraps a hand around my waist as we continued to walk down the hallway passing rooms. I vaguely wonder if we told my friends that we left. We stopped and I find us outside room 14 and I remember pulling the key out of my purse for Draco to open the door with one hand as his other was wrapped firmly around my waist. Once the door shut I kicked my shoes off and climbed into bed as Draco lit a single candle.
"Draco." I called out, his silhouette lit up by the candle as he stood in the middle of the room, "Don't leave."
I watched as he continued to stare at me before nodding slightly before pulling his gaze away from me to take his shoes off. Sighing I lay down and shift until I'm comfortable underneath the cover while I can hear Draco moving around the room before the bed shifts as he sits down on the other end of the bed.
"Goodnight Draco." I state softly, hearing him pause in his movement.
"Night Eva." I hear as sleep finally overcomes me.
