Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not mine. Don't sue.
Summary: AU Ginny has crossed over and taken Hollywood by storm. Only she's not Ginny Weasley. She's Iris Nouvelle. Draco becomes a cloistered, eccentric director when working on a film but wins awards doing it. Only he's not Draco Malfoy. He's Dylan Norton. When they are thrown together as the dream team that would make movie history in Firetree Studios' next creation, they find that they stand to gain a lot more than millions in their bank books.
AN: I'd like to apologize to all of you. I promised myself I would finish this and be good about updating but due to familial problems, I've neglected this story. However, now, I'm back and dying for a distraction so writing this story will have to be that distraction. Sorry, guys. This chapter is a little short but it just felt like it should end there. The next one will longer, I promise.
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Couture, Clanks and Crossing Over
Chapter 4:
Mic Test
"Ms. Nouvelle! Ms. Nouvelle!" said one emphatic reporter. The conference had been going well so far. No one had even asked her about Dylan. However, she knew it was only a matter of time and she waited with bated breath. Ginny pointed at him from her seat. He stood up and asked, "Your good friend, Al Caulder, has checked into rehab. Any comments you'd like to give?"
"Alfonso is a dear friend of mine and a wonderful person. He's going through a rough time and I think all anyone can do is be supportive. He'll get through this. I know he will." Ginny bent down and spoke into the microphone firmly.
"Have you ever been on the stuff yourself, Iris?"
She was struck with the directness of the question but flinched not once. She hadn't caught who the question was from but continued anyway, "I am exposed to situations in which I have come across drugs but I never have and never will use. Of that, I am certain."
"Thank you," the man said as he took his seat.
Another reporter was called. "You've been in the industry two years and done incredibly well. More than many other actors and actresses can say for their whole lifetime."
Ginny looked down with a slight blush. She looked up with an embarrassed smile. "Thank you. I don't quite know how it happened but all I can do is be thankful and make sure that I provide my employers and the audience good reason for everything they have made me."
The slightly grey-haired man smiled. "Lovely. But if I may ask, two whole years and you've never worked with Firetree Studios once… why now?"
Lawrence cut in for this one. "I believe I can answer that," he said from his own seat. "You see, once we got a glimpse of Ms. Nouvelle's indisputable talent, we realized we couldn't have her doing just any one of our romantic comedies or something of that sort. Although, I am proud of each and every film our Studio puts out, the members of our company felt that we needed a movie that would truly challenge and was befit Ms. Nouvelle, one that would make a mark in her career as well as ours. Then Milo here…" said Lawrence, putting a hand on the man sitting beside him. "…came along and surprised us with what we hope to be our most remarkable movie yet. And we couldn't think of anyone better to play the lead than Iris."
"You better start insulting me soon, Lawrence, or I'll become quite the spoiled little brat," quipped Ginny.
The crowd gathered laughed uproariously but Draco whispered just loud enough for Ginny, who was sitting beside him to hear an "I'd be happy to do all the insulting." Ginny kept a blissful smile on her face as she shot a kick right at Draco's shin. He bounced on his seat slightly from the sudden contact but did his best to hide the pain.
Ginny, ever the professional, continued on like nothing happened. "Well, really, I have been wanting to work with Firetree for a long time now and I am more than honored to finally be fulfilling that. I hope I can give them the kind of service they deserve and well, we're all hoping the best for this one so wish us luck." she replied.
Hands shot up once more and Lawrence gestured at one lady towards the back to have her turn. "Yes, a question for Ms. Nouvelle. You've been working with the likes of Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and others. How would you say that compares to working with Mr. Norton?" There it was. The question everyone was dying to bring out, only cleverly disguised.
Ginny just decided to get it over with. "Other than the hot, scandalous affair, you mean?" she joked, to which the reporters laughed once more. After all, EVERY tab had already plastered their supposed relationship all over their covers, even if it was only the first day. If you didn't have that kind of information, then you were eons behind. "All teasing aside, I have watched all of Mr. Norton's work and no one can deny that they are exquisite. I am very excited to work with him. As I am sure, with him behind the camera, at least that will be fantastic." The reporters chuckled another time.
The woman reporter added, "So are you saying that all reports made about your relationship are false?"
Ginny laughed quietly to cover up her strain. This was a touchy situation and she was starting to get unnerved by the way Dylan was staunchly staring at her. "I think Dylan and I will work well together on this film but I'm afraid to say, my love life isn't really as vivacious as some publications have made it seem."
There was stunned silence to hear a woman such as Iris Nouvelle say those words. Only the steadfast reporter seemed to be able to speak up. "And what are your thoughts on this, Mr. Norton?"
Draco almost missed the calling of his name from the onslaught of thoughts that came from Ginny's reply. He perked up and, being the true Malfoy he was, answered expertly, "Iris Nouvelle is a talented, talented woman. Her work speaks for itself. And as a person, she is extraordinary. I could not be more pleasured to be able to work with a woman such as her."
The woman nodded and took her seat.
"Well, I think that's plenty for today. Thank you all for coming and we'll keep you updated as much as we can. Hopefully, we've convinced you enough to watch Veiled when it comes out next year. Thank you!" said Lawrence, slightly standing from his chair. There was an outburst of protest from the reporters as those on stage filed out of the hall.
As she exited, Ginny soon found Rebecca and Angela at her sides. "And yet another smash press conference. You really are a pro at this, Iris."
"Well, I do my best."
"And thank the Lord, your best is always the best. Which is why you're my favorite client." said Rebecca, as if it was the most simple thing on this planet. They exited the building and waited on the sidewalk for Frank to come around in the limo. The paparazzi hovered close to them but Spike, Bruce, Gun, Striker and Bob was there to keep it under control.
"Well, you're my favorite manager…" she said. "But then again, you're my only manager." This earned Ginny a slap on her arm. "Anyway, lovely ladies, what else is on the itinerary?" beamed Ginny.
"Actually, I cleared up your schedule as much as I could today. You've had a hectic week and since you did so well in the conference, I thought you deserved it. All you have is that Holly Patterson party tonight. Couldn't get you out of that since you promised her you would go to her face." explained Rebecca.
"I don't mind. Holly was my costar in the last one so I think it's the least I can do," said Ginny. Frank finally pulled up right in front of them. Ginny gestured for the girls to go in first. She turned around to give one last wave to the reporters when she caught sight of something she didn't expect. There stood Dylan, gazing at her just as intently as he was in the conference. He was outside but still under the shades enough not to draw attention to himself. That slight glistening in his eyes turned her mouth dry instantly. Should she wave? Ignore it? Instead, she gave him a small smile and nodded before climbing into the car.
She lay against the seat and realized she was breathing a lot faster than she would have liked. "What's the matter, Iris? You look a little nervous."
"I'm fine." she said, not bothering to look convincing. She looked outside and still, there he was, looking straight at her like there wasn't the thickest of tints on the limo.
Unaware, Frank drove on and Rebecca and Angela returned to their own thoughts as they gazed out the other side of the limo. All Ginny could see, however, was pale blonde and the months she had ahead of her.
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