It wasn't until six weeks later that Ginny realized how good looking and charming Draco Malfoy really was. He had a strong build and captivating icy blue eyes. His shiny silvery-blond hair fit his face perfectly.
Life was a routine for them there. He'd wake up make a pot of coffee. Ginny would come down and then they would go to her work, where she'd do her work, and he'd do a little of his and wander around the building. Then he'd flirt with the secretary until Ginny noticed and stomped away. Then he'd go out to lunch with some of the office workers, come back and then wait for Ginny to finish and go back to her flat where he usually made dinner. They'd eat and go to bed.
He was determined to break her, but she was hard as a rock. He'd tell her jokes, but she would just roll her eyes. He admitted he was attracted to her. She was pretty and spunky. He liked that. He knew nothing could happen though. For one, he knew she wouldn't let it. For another, she still was a Weasley, even though nowadays they were well thought of in society. He knew she loved his company, deep down, but she'd never admit it. Although his job was a little boring, he actually did love to spend time with her.
She secretly loved being with him as well. But Ginny was a bit more stubborn to admit it. She liked it when he would sit in her office and do his work. She liked to watch him fill out the crossword puzzles on the weekend. She hated it when he would flirt with her secretary. She'd sneer at him all the time. She'd roll her eyes and groan at him a lot.
"Well I've got some good news for you," he said, suddenly, one day.
"Like what?" she asked.
"Looks like my time here will be ending soon."
She looked up at him, confused. "What?"
"Yeah, I got a letter this morning from the office saying they're reassigning me."
"Oh," she said. She was surprised she wasn't happier. This was the moment she had been waiting for, for so long. Draco Malfoy would finally be out of her life. "When do you leave?" she asked.
"Sunday," he said.
"But that's in a week," she said, surprised.
"So…?" he said.
"So... er… isn't that a little soon?" she asked.
"I thought you wanted me out of here?" he asked.
"Yeah. I do... I mean, yeah but-"
"But what?"
"I don't know," she said. "I need someone to protect me."
"They think you were right about the threat all along. It was probably Madam Malkins trying to distract you from fashion week."
"Oh," she said, quietly. He peered across the table at her. "What?" she said.
He shook his head. "Nothing." She sighed and went back to her food.
She woke up early the next morning. She creped down the stairs to the kitchen and was surprised she was up before him. For once she started the pot of coffee. She also decided she'd make breakfast, for him. After all, he would be leaving soon. She figured it was something nice she could do for him.
Ginny pulled out the eggs and pancake batter. She had never been a good cook, she had never wanted to learn and had never wanted to try, but that morning she was feeling different. She read the instructions on the box carefully and mixed several different bowls of batter. She turned on the stove and poured the batter on the pan. She waited for it to bubble up and then tried to flip it over with a spatula but it landed on the floor instead of the pan. "Need some help?"
Draco came behind her and took the spatula from her. "Thanks," she said quietly. "I'm not much of a cook."
"I can tell," he said, flipping it over with a flick of the wrist. She blushed slightly. Draco had his shirt off to reveal a lean, muscular body that surprised Ginny. He flipped a few more then separated them on two plates.
"Thanks," she said.
"So what are you doing up so early?" he asked. "Or more importantly, why are you cooking?"
She smiled and shrugged. "I don't know. I just woke up early." She took a bite of her pancake. "These pancakes are horrible," she said wrinkling her nose.
"No kidding," he laughed. "You're a terrible cook."
"You were the one to cook them!" she said.
"I didn't mix the batter!" he laughed. She blushed again.
"Sorry. I don't know how to cook," she said putting her fork down. "I don't eat breakfast anyway." She pushed the plate away from her. They sat in silence for a while. "Draco," she began, "I want to thank you… for everything."
He looked at her, and then looked away. "You don't need to," he said staring out the window. "You don't need to."
"No," she said. "I do."
He looked at her and Ginny thought she saw a flash of regret in his eyes but it disappeared as suddenly as it had come. "It was nothing. Don't thank me."
"Ok, well if you won't let me thank you, let me apologize," she said. "I'm sorry I was a bit rude to you."
He snorted. "A bit?"
"Ok, I'm sorry I was rude to you," she corrected herself.
He laughed. "It's all right. I guess I deserved it, huh?" he asked. "For being an unbelievable prat when we were growing up."
"It's ok," she said. He smiled at her. "Its different now."
"If someone would have told me then, that now I would be sitting in Ginny Weasley's enormously big kitchen half naked, I would have probably hit them, but now here I am." She gave him a small smile.
"Draco, why did you take this job?" she asked.
He looked out the window again and shrugged without speaking. "Why don't we do something today?" he said suddenly.
She eyed him. "You know what I am going to say," she said. "But I'm in a good mood this morning, so let's go before I change my mind." She grinned at him.
There was a small carnival going on in town that they decided to go to. Ginny played games, and Draco won her a stuffed dragon. Ginny regretted not getting to know him better during all those weeks together. She had a great time at the carnival. For once she wasn't worrying about whether colors and patterns clashed or whether the feel of the fabric was too soft or too stiff. For once she could just enjoy herself.