I apologise in advance. This is going to be an extremely long chapter. But as I promised several people I will write as many words as necessary to ensure there is romance in this chapter!! So sorry if it's a bit of a read but I had a lot to get through!
When you're reading Fleur don't forget to read in a French accent lol!!
Most eyes followed them to the front but both Draco and Harry were still watching Ginny. Both boys were thinking that they had never seen her look more beautiful.
Ginny had been so excited when she woke up that morning. She had felt as though her heart was beating like a drum when she heard the car pull up. A short journey later and she was seeing the wedding location for the first time. Fleur had kept it a secret and Ginny didn't blame her when she saw how beautiful the place was. Fleur came out herself to see Ginny.
"Ginny, you are here!" Fleur exclaimed. "Ce fantastique! I 'ave been thinking you may be late but you are very – what is ze word – prompt? Just think my Ginny – a few hours and I will be a Weasley and you will be my petite soeur - a little sister to me!" Fleur had been working hard on her accent to impress Bill but Ginny knew that he had a big surprise for her. Ginny kissed her on each cheek; for Bill's sake she had gotten to know Fleur better and although she still had certain reservations about the girl, she had accepted her into her life.
The girls went up to a large room that had been specially prepared as a dressing room. Fleur's younger sister Gabrielle was waiting there and seemed very excited to see Ginny. She said something in French to Fleur. "Gabrielle says that you are looking belle as ever Ginny and she ees most happy to be soon a relation to you."
Ginny smiled bashfully. "Tell her she has grown even lovelier since I last saw her and it is my pleasure to have ladies with such taste to be joining our family." Secretly Ginny was glad that Fleur's sister didn't seem to be quite as snooty as Fleur had been but she kept her thoughts to herself.
The three girls had a wonderful morning; Fleur's mother popped in frequently giving them advice on make-up spells which Fleur translated for Ginny. Mrs Delacour told Fleur that she had the most wonderful blemish cream if Ginny wanted it for her freckles. Fleur translated this but to Ginny's astonishment also added that she thought they gave Ginny character and she should be proud of them.
The girls started to get dressed and both Ginny and Gabrielle squealed with pleasure when Fleur came out of the second room in her wonderful dress. "You look beautiful beyond compare." Ginny said - Fleur translated to her sister without any embarrassment, as part Veela she was used to people telling her so.
Gabrielle nodded in agreement; her own dress was a pale blue floaty chiffon number with a large silver sash. Being only eleven it was a young girl's style of dress but she looked striking just the same. Fleur had wanted blue and silver as her colour scheme as it matched her hair and eyes - which so happened to be her favourite colours.
When Ginny took her dress from its cover Fleur sighed. "Ah Ginny. Such good taste. You and Gabrielle will make such beauties in all ze pictures. I am thankful that you have chosen such a wonderful dress. Thank you for making me day so pretty."
Ginny was amazed that Fleur was so attentive to them on her day; she was used to Fleur being very self absorbed. "Actually Draco Malfoy chose it for me so you owe your thanks to him. But I am glad that you are pleased!"
Fleur smiled. "Ah – zis ees the boy who my mother speaks of. He does all ze decorations wonderfully she says." Before Ginny could question her, Fleur let out a little cry. "Mon dieu – look at ze time. We must on with ze make-up and hair. Quick, quick." She clapped her hands and Ginny and Gabrielle rushed to get ready.
Ginny opened her bag and saw a little box wrapped in tissue paper. There was a little tag which she read…
Ginny,
This is the first proper gift I have ever given anyone apart from my Mother.
I hope it is acceptable. It should match the dress.
Yours,
Draco.
Ginny remembered – the jewellery. He wouldn't let her see! She teased open the tissue paper and could see something twinkling inside. Fleur saw her and came over for a closer look. "Ginny – zis is very expensive make. It is a Henry Amor set. You have certainly been saving ze knuts… Or pennies as your father says!" Fleur had been trying hard to fit in with Ginny's family.
"Draco again." Ginny gasped pulling out the presents from the paper. The first item she pulled out was a ring; it was a small silver flower with the middle made from several minute sparkling gem stones. The flower had seven petals and at the end of each was another tiny piece of a gem stone. There were matching earrings and a necklace with several of the little flowers hanging delicately from it. She was confused for a moment when she pulled out several of the flowers on small metal spirals. "For your hair." Fleur said, twisting them into Ginny's curls which had been artfully pinned up. Ginny didn't think she'd ever owned something so beautiful.
The time came for the girls to leave. Ginny and Gabrielle were to follow Fleur to make sure that her skirt didn't catch on anything. When they reached the front Gabrielle, as maid of honour, was to relieve Fleur of her bouquet and Ginny was to make sure that her veil was straightened once she revealed her face. Fleur's father walked her down the top half of the stairs – handing her over to Bill on the middle landing where they continued the descent together. It was beautifully arranged and everyone was smiling, especially Ginny. She felt beautiful and the wonderful decorations were making her feel as though her brother had a fairytale wedding. As she followed Fleur down the aisle made by the split in the rows of chairs she felt a couple of pairs of eyes on her. She caught sight of white-blonde hair at the front and after catching Draco's eye couldn't focus on anything else.
The ceremony went superbly. Both Fleur and Bill were outstanding at pleasing the crowd so their vows were well spoken and caused a good reaction. However Draco and Harry found it difficult to concentrate. In their eyes Ginny was the one to watch. Her sparkling silver dress fitted her as if it were made with her figure in mind; her hair was slightly curled and pinned in an artful way to frame her face which had a light layer of make-up which accented her eyes and lips. She looked so alive; like she was lit with an inner fire… she was glowing with beauty. The way the sun caught every bead and crystal on her dress and jewellery lighting them up only emphasised her radiance.
When Fleur and Bill walked back down the aisle, the best man held his arm out for Gabrielle which left Draco to accompany Ginny to the ballroom. He was a little worried after her last conversation with him and it didn't help that she looked so shocked to see him offer his arm.
"Where's Mattie?" She asked, explaining when Draco looked confused –"Bill's mate, the usher?"
"He couldn't make it so Bill asked me, knowing I was the best choice obviously." Draco drawled. "I'm sorry if I'm not up to your standards but you can take it up with your brother later." Draco could barely look her in the eye; little did she know how worried he was that she would reject him and shout at him again.
Ginny blushed remembering how awful she had been to him at their last meeting. As they walked sedately towards the reception area she apologised. "Draco. I'm sorry I left without saying sorry or goodbye. I had no right to speak to you the way I did. It's your choice who you choose to spend your time with but…" she took a big breath – now or never. She thought. "The reason I acted so badly was because -"
The MC interrupted her as they walked into the house. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Master Draco Malfoy and Miss Ginevra Molly Weasley." Ginny was appalled at her full name being read but did her best to hide her embarrassment. Before she could resume her conversation, Draco and she were shown to separate tables where they were to sit for the meal. Ginny had been seated with the golden trio; as she had been with Harry when the table plans had been made it was a sensible placement. As Draco was invited fairly late in the day he had been placed with a table of Fleur's young relatives. All of which seemed fairly pleased by their new table mate.
The meal was awful for Ginny. Harry seemed to alternate between whispering with Ron – who looked a little awkward; giving Hermione disapproving looks and telling Ginny how much he had missed her and how wonderful she looked. Ginny made polite small talk. She knew that a few weeks ago she would have been giving Harry the third degree but now all she could think about was a certain blond – the back of whose head was in her line of sight and was being manhandled by several young French girls.
The speeches however were wonderful; Bill had spent weeks learning his speech in French as a gift for Fleur. He recited it twice; once for each family. At one point he said that he must have been slipped Felix Felicis as he was the luckiest man alive to be gifted with someone as amazing as Fleur. Half the girls were swooning at the romance - even Fleur had to dab at her eyes a few times.
Then came the first dance… Fleur and Bill made a wonderful couple floating round the dance floor. Harry was just about to ask Ginny to dance when Draco appeared by her side. "Ginny - Fleur wishes her Maids and Ushers to join her in her first dance. Would you do me the honour?" She nodded and Draco led her to where the best man and Gabrielle had just started a waltz. Draco was an accomplished dancer; he led Ginny perfectly and made her feel as if she had been doing this all her life. The waltz changed into a more modern slow number and Draco held Ginny close, unwilling to let her go. Ginny inhaled deeply as she pressed her face closer to his neck. He smelled amazing – like wonderful spices and his skin was so warm against her face.
As the song finished Ginny felt a hand pulling her away from Draco; she was loath to leave his side but thought it may have been her mother. As she turned she saw Harry looking concerned. "Dance with me Ginny." He said pulling her swiftly away from Draco. Draco looked as though he was going to come after her but one of the young girls that had been at his table was begging him to dance and Fleur was smiling at them and whispering for him to dance with the girl so he couldn't really refuse.
Harry whipped Ginny round a little too fast. "Bet you're glad I rescued you. I wanted to get you away earlier but Hermione said that you were expected to dance with the Ferret and begged me not to cause a scene. I can't believe Molly has fallen for his lies."
Ginny and Draco had kept catching each other's eyes as they span round in the dance but at this statement Ginny looked Harry full in the face. "What? What do you mean mum fell for his lies?"
Harry was a little shocked at her reaction but carried on, thinking she didn't understand what Malfoy was capable of. "Well you know. He's obviously up to something bad. Have you noticed him acting strangely?"
Ginny's nostrils flared in anger, she couldn't believe Harry was still stuck in the past. Draco had done some awful things but he was a different person now. "Harry, the only thing Draco has been 'up to' is saving mine and Ron's lives and helping to make Remus and Tonks' lives easier. And if by 'acting strangely' you mean being kind and thoughtful then yes, he has been. Very much so."
Harry didn't really know what to say. Draco must have been much better at fooling people than he thought; he'd have to tread lightly if he were to make them realise… Once again he looked at Ginny and thought how wonderful she looked. "Can we go for a walk Ginny? I've not seen you for such a long time. It would be nice to talk properly, away from the noise."
Ginny had wanted to have a word with Harry at some point tonight anyway; there was a lot she had to say to him. "Ok Harry." She said quietly. She looked for Draco but he was being introduced to Fleur's family by Bill.
Little did she know that when she walked out of the French windows and into the orchard with Harry, Draco had caught her leaving from the corner of his eye. He felt like his heart was breaking; Harry had been back on the scene for a second and she was back in his arms already. He clenched his fists tightly and tried desperately to pay attention to the people he was being introduced to…
The sun was close to setting as Ginny and Harry walked through the trees. Harry went to put his arm around Ginny but she seemed to suddenly speed up a little, saying something about the beautiful gems in the trees catching the light. Harry only had eyes for the gems sparkling all over her – her hair, neck and all over her dress. He once again thought how alive and alight she looked. "You're so beautiful Ginny." He said. Ginny stopped still and her shoulders seemed to stiffen.
She turned to look at him and although her eyes were gorgeous they seemed a little sad. "Do you love me Harry?" she asked softly. Harry was shocked to say the least. "I… what?" he stuttered.
"I said - do you love me? Not just as Ron's sister but as me. Ginevra Molly Weasley… Red hair, freckles; temper and everything." Ginny was looking deeply into his eyes.
"Of course I do Ginny." Harry said but the stare she was giving him seemed to burn into his heart. He thought hard and deep. "I mean… I want to. We're still young Gin. I think you're fantastic – I want to learn to love you."
It seemed to Harry that Ginny's eyes darkened for a split second. She shook her head slowly and took his hand. "Harry. You mean so much to me. You've been a massive part of my life for so long but this is wrong." Harry went to speak but she pressed a finger to his lips.
"Look into your soul Harry. You want to love me but you can't. Because the right feelings just aren't there. We would have lasted for a long time but neither of us would have been satisfied. I can't be the person you need and neither can you for me. Be honest with yourself for a moment."
Harry tried to reach his hand out to run through her hair, to make her realise she was wrong. Again her eye's flashed dark – almost black. She stopped his hand and said commandingly. "Look Harry."
She put one of her hands on each side of his face. He felt himself sinking deep into his feelings and for the first time since he had kissed Ginny in the Gryffindor common room he realised that something was wrong with their relationship. There wasn't a bond there. It was pleasing and fun, but the feelings he had for Ginny just didn't run deep enough. That was why he'd found it so easy to break it off with her at Dumbledore's funeral.
He pulled away from Ginny's grip and looked sadly into her eyes. There were tears threatening to form there. "Ginny." He started.
"No Harry. It's ok. I just need a moment alone. I'll see you inside." Harry nodded sadly. The both shared a hug and then he made his way back into the house.
Ginny only had a second to herself when she felt a presence behind her. She turned and saw Draco looking angry.
"Your mother said that everyone was making their way to the orchard now for the evening. She wanted me to find you." He went to turn away but Ginny caught his arm.
"Draco. What's wrong?" she asked, concerned that he seemed to be radiating so much anger.
"Nothing that need concern you." He snarled, again attempting to leave. Once more Ginny pulled him back. "I wanted to talk to you Draco. I wanted to thank you for the beautiful jewellery. It's the most thoughtful gift ever."
Draco looked at her; she really did look amazing and as the sun finally set, her crystals caught the reflections of the twinkling lights appearing all around. Ginny gasped at the magnificent change in the clearing. "You did all of this Draco? You never cease to amaze me. Thank you for doing this for my family." She tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek. Ginny noticed that he stiffened at her touch.
"I don't think your boyfriend would be happy with you doing that." He said coldly.
"What?" Ginny asked. Draco pointed back towards the house. "Potter – I saw you together." Ginny smiled sadly.
"Well you don't have to worry about him. We would never have worked." She looked up at Draco and her eyes were soft and welcoming. "I'm too taken with someone else to have kept up the illusion of any relationship Harry and I could have tried to have."
Draco felt his heart beating fast. He had never felt this hopeful in his life. He wanted to ask her who she was so taken with but couldn't bear the thought of having his hopes dashed. Finally he could take it no longer and said in a low voice. "Who Ginny? Who is it?"
Ginny lowered her eyes so all he could see for a few second were long beautiful lashes. "It's you Draco. I know you don't-"
Before she could say anything else Draco had cradled her face in his hands and tilted it upwards to capture her mouth in a breathtaking kiss. They could both hear people chatting loudly and making their way to the clearing but in that moment neither seemed to care; they were too lost in the embrace.