Chapter 3

Born the only daughter in a family of rowdy boys, Ginny had learned to be fearless at a young age. Being sorted into Gryffindor had been a given and felt like validation. As if the universe was acknowledging that she wasn't one to run from a fight and never had been.

At that moment, however, the bravery Ginny was known for vanished. Her panicked eyes flitted between the two men, unsure where to land. It seemed she couldn't determine which one was worse.

Surely, the device was faulty or maybe this was an elaborate prank? Because there was no way the universe would be cruel enough to saddle her with either man for a soulmate.

After all, hadn't Ginny suffered enough in her short life? She definitely thought so.

As if her eyes had decided for her, Ginny found herself focused on the tall dark haired wizard leaning back in his chair, an air of superiority around him. What was it about Slytherins and their arrogance? Were they born with it or was it drilled into them growing up?

Either way, Theo Nott was the epitome of what Slytherins stood for. She remembered that horrid last year at Hogwarts and just what Nott was capable of. His stinging bloody gums curse was known to strike fear into the younger students. She had seen more than her fair share of students scream in horror as their teeth fell out in painful bursts only to grow back again for the cycle to continue. It had been a disturbingly nasty hex that Ginny had quickly learned to counter out of necessity. She could all too clearly remember the frantic hours spent with Neville researching various counters to increasingly depraved spells.

His father was also a notorious Death Eater, wasting away in Azkaban for the rest of his years. There had been many rumors over the years that the Nott estate held some very dark artifacts, but those had never been substantiated as they were unable to find proof. Still, Ginny knew that didn't mean anything. There were plenty of shadowy places that were amazing for hiding all sorts of dark secrets.

With a shudder, Ginny looked away and immediately regretted it as she took in the form of Oliver Wood. Oh what she wouldn't give to avoid seeing that face for the rest of her life.

The memory of the last time she had faced him and the results of the disastrous encounter were a source of humiliation and shame. As she was sure they would be until her dying day. Sadly, she couldn't even say that had been the lowest point of her life. That title was reserved for a far too painful memory.

Feeling betrayed by the universe and most especially the metal tool clenched painfully in her hand, Ginny twirled around and sprinted from the establishment, not even noticing the angry grumblings as she jostled tables in her haste.

The fresh air was a welcome balm to her feverish skin as she blindly stumbled down the cobblestone street, desperate to gain as much distance from them as possible.

Apparently the universe wasn't through with her yet though as Ginny turned a corner and immediately came face to face with none other than Draco Malfoy.

"Twice in two days?" Draco lifted a brow and crossed his arms. "Keep this up Weasley and I'll start to wonder if that love potion was meant for me."

A smirk crossed Draco's lips at own witty comment, but at the lack of the expected retort, his lips slid into a frown as he studied the woman in front of him for the first time that afternoon. Wide eyes and labored breathing gave her the appearance of an animal fleeing for their life. Unbidden, a sense of concern washed over Draco. As much as he hated to admit it, he rather enjoyed the youngest Weasley's antics. Their verbal spar yesterday had been oddly entertaining and honestly as far as first meetings since the war, it had gone better than many others he had experienced.

Her entire body had started to shake and Draco found himself using his most soothing voice. The one he had all too often used on his mother during the war when Voldemort had laid claim to Malfoy Manor and its terrorized inhabitants. "Weasley, hey, you're ok, you just need to sit down, alright?"

When he didn't seem to gain a response from her, Draco attempted to take hold of her elbow to steer her. That certainly got a reaction. In an instant, her fire was back and Ginny yanked her arm from his hold and narrowed her eyes. Her chest heaved in a shuddering breath. "Bugger. I need a drink."

Well, that was certainly not what he was expecting. Draco wasn't sure why he was surprised though. The youngest Weasley never did what he predicted, not even in their Hogwarts days.

Out of morbid curiosity more than anything else, Draco followed her down the street to a nearby bar. Stepping into the dimly lit establishment revealed they were some of the only patrons. Probably a good sign for wizarding England that seedy bars weren't packed during the lunch hour on a Thursday, mused Draco as he sat down across from Weasley in a back booth.

Merlin, this was not how he had thought his day would go. Rather than be annoyed at the change in his routine, Draco felt anticipation at what the unpredictable witch in front of him would do next. For so long, his days were carefully scheduled and his social gatherings painstakingly crafted to ensure that only the best of the Malfoy charm was on display. It had been a tedious few years, slowly clawing his way back into the good graces of society. The task had been daunting all on his own, but his father had been correct that Draco did not stand a chance unless the aura of Lucius appeared to be distant and at least somewhat removed. While his mother's actions during the final battle gave them some good will and confused the masses enough for Malfoys to claim the role of double agents, there were enough people that knew the truth. Those that would not forget so easily. Although their cover had been enough to spare the family from prison time and hefty fines, it did not sway the tide of public opinion. That it seemed, was Draco's new mission. One that he had been quite successful at through the years. To the point that his parents were even considering venturing out from their manor in France to visit him during the holidays.

Still, even for all his accomplishments, there was still much more work to be done.

At no point did his plans involve day drinking with a Weasley, but as the first shots were placed before him, that's exactly what Draco found himself doing. It wasn't until the third shot that Weasley suddenly seemed to remember he was there. As her glassy eyes landed on him, her lips pursed and she tilted her head, clearly contemplating something. "Do you believe in true love?"

Ah, so this was a Potter thing. He should have known. Hell, even without the papers providing a rather painful blow by blow of the entire ordeal, Draco should have realized that's where her head would be. After all, throughout their time in school, her heart filled eyes had followed the boy wonder wherever he went. It hadn't surprised him in the least when Weasley had finally landed her man, she was a determined little thing that was for sure.

What did come as a shock were the headlines from this past year.

Even Draco could admit that the majority of them were in poor form and had wrung the young woman before him out in the cruelest of ways. It seemed almost as if it was a game to find humiliating fodder that would send her into a shame spiral- one of which they had been all too pleased to capture the details of. The entire thing had left a rather sour taste in his mouth. Maybe it was because he knew what the sharp claws of the media felt like or maybe it was just common decency. He wasn't sure and hadn't felt any great desire to analyze it.

It appeared that Weasley didn't require his answer anyway as she continued. "I do, yes I do. Soulmates!" With a flick of her wrist, another shot followed its companions and Ginny leaned forward as if ready to impart a great secret.

"I'm going to marry Oliver Wood."

Draco couldn't contain the surprise that colored his features, followed in quick succession by distaste. Based on what he knew, such a thing seemed nearly impossible and beyond poor judgement. "I hadn't realized you were an item."

A laugh escaped Ginny as if he had just told a rather hilarious joke. "Oh we're not!" Her arm waved through the air in an uncoordinated movement as she slurred. "Hate that stupid prat, wanna break his bloody face in. Bastard." Ginny waved her other hand, not noticing as the drink in her grasp splashed alcohol over the floor. "But I'm gonna marry him."

With a frown, she gave a small and oddly vulnerable shrug. "I think."

The redhead nodded a few times for good measure, as if the increasingly clumsy action would help her insane declarations. Draco stared at her in shocked silence. He honestly had no idea what type of reaction the drunk woman in front of him expected. But he couldn't do anything more than silently gape at the confusing tumble of thoughts Weasley had just revealed.

After a moment, she stopped suddenly and slapped her hand against the wood table. "Or Theo Nott!"

While the first declaration had stunned him into silence, this one spurred Draco into action. Leaning across the table, Draco snatched the fifth, six? shot away from her greedy hands. "You've clearly had enough."

"Give that back, you bastard!"

His reflexes were faster than hers as he deftly avoided her grasping hands. There was no way he could send her out on her own like this, not only could it be dangerous, but he was sure this was just the stuff that would fill the morning's headlines if he allowed it. And for some strange reason, he refused to let that happen. Let the damn papers actually print some real news for a change.

"Alright, who can I owl to pick you up?"

He sincerely hoped she didn't list any of her brothers or Granger as such a confrontation would not do anything for his reputation. No doubt they would blame the big bad Slytherin for preying on the vulnerable Gryffindor.

Staring blankly at him, Ginny squinted her eyes before clapping her hands together. "Luna!"

Nodding shortly, Draco snapped his fingers and the small owl from the corner flew to their table with the bar's card. Handing the card to the swaying redhead, Draco waited while she clumsily tapped it three times with her wand. Once her part was done, Ginny casually tossed the card in the air, seeming fascinated by its twirling descent. With an amused snort, Draco's keeper reflexes kicked in and he grabbed it midair before tying it on the leg of the disapproving looking owl. Draco sent it a fierce glare, he would be damned if he allowed the creature to pass judgement on him. Ginny for her part took no notice of the odd battle of wills, instead resting her head on her folded arms and yawning widely.

"To Lovegood-Krum."

Ginny perked up at that and shook her head, her voice wobbling. "They're so happy together. True love…gonna punch stupid Wood and Nott, damn bastards…"