Disclaimer: I didn't write Harry Potter blah, blah, blah. Ok just read.
Diamond Dogs and Lost Loves
Crawling down the alley on your hands and your knees,
I'm not sure you're protected for it's plain to see,
The diamond dogs are poachers and they hide behind trees,
Hunt you to the ground they will,
Mannequins with kill appeal.
xXxXx
Though many people would probably doubt what I am about to tell you, Ginny and Cho actually had something in common: they both loved flowers. Plumerias, Madagascar periwinkles, roses, lilies, magnolias, and of course orchids – just name one and both girls were sure to love it. Cho's love for flowers certainly showed in her ethereal garden. Guests entered the garden and were welcomed by the aroma of many exotic flowers that blended into one intoxicating scent (and all blended into one similar shade of lavender as well). Even the occasional passerby walked a tad bit closer to the house to catch a sniff of the enchanting smell. Delicate, deep green ivy wound itself onto trellises which were positioned in front of the garden walls in order to hide the walls stark whiteness. Small fairy lights, tucked into the ivy and tree branches, and traditional Chinese lanterns cast a soft, exquisite glow throughout the courtyard. Amidst all the beauty sat a large gazebo – the hub of the garden. Here the guests dined and enjoyed the splendor that surrounded them. Cho's personal string quartet provided some gentle music and the gurgle of the two fountains in the back of the garden accompanied them.
Several round tables were placed in the gazebo, and perched at the head of the most prestigious table was the queen of all this elegance, dressed to the nines in a white, floor-length gown that showed off two of her best assets. Cho expected nothing less than the best, and what else was to be expected of the ruler of the Chinese underworld? Those who had grown up with her would never have thought that the timid ex-crush of Harry Potter would someday become queen of one of the most powerful mafias in the Eastern Hemisphere. In reality most people part of the organization couldn't fathom how Cho came to rule. She came from a well-bred aristocratic family; there was nothing to connect her parents to anything suspicious. Once in power Cho mysteriously moved the mafia headquarters to Piraievs. The resulting anger was almost the equivalent to that of the turmoil that would occur if it had been relocated to Japan. The aggression didn't rattle Cho in the slightest. She was a brutal ruler (for a girl, but if anyone ever said that, then he or she would be found swimming with the fishes in one of Cho's ponds). In China she and her minions – the Doom and Gloom Brigade – were more feared than Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
Yet none of Cho's friends attending the dinner party were scared for most were ignorant to their companion's true identity. As it was her first garden outing, the very few women in attendance were in innocent awe of the beauty surrounding them. There was something about this Eden that offered a soothing, peaceful calm. The women never felt more secure; however, the men had never been more aroused just from looking. Cho's infamous ladies in waiting were proving their claim to fame once again. All fifteen women were scantily clad in shimmering "dresses," which appeared to be made out of leaves or flower petals that twinkled in the soft lighting. Two of them specifically modeled garments made of what appeared to be glowing cherry blossom petals – Cho's personal assistants. The remaining thirteen flittered around their assigned guests, guiding them to their seats and bringing them whatever they desired.
Ginny was quite surprised when Cho's servant guided her to a seat right next to Cho. Frankly the read head was shaking in her four-inch heels and silently wished for Hermione to be near by instead of at another table. She couldn't help to notice Cho's cleavage was not being shy tonight (and how is one supposed to cover up in such a revealing dress?). Ginny did her best to conceal her discomfort and to carry on a normal conversation with the hostess. In the middle of a sentence Cho would gently touch the other girl's forearm or she would lightly caress Ginny's hair and merit her for its softness. Ginny looked to Blaise in complete, wide-eyed desperation. Pansy Parkinson was smirking clear across the table, and the other guests seated there turned their attention to Ginny. She was frantic. The read head slyly reached her left hand underneath the table and placed it on Blaise's knee – their code for "Help!" Blaise took her hand between his two – their code for "Wait a couple minutes." And just as Blaise predicted, Cho finally directed her affections to her "personal assistants" in order to ask them to bring the string quartet into the gazebo. Ginny relaxed but was quickly startled again when she heard her best friend's voice followed by an all too familiar laugh. "It couldn't be," she thought as she shook her head and stood to follow Blaise to the dance floor.
xXxXx
Draco had always hated groupies. There wasn't any challenge. They would fawn all over him because of his chiseled good looks and his family name and fortune. The airheads were way too obvious for their own good. They would try to get him drunk while pretending to be drunk themselves just so they could get him in bed. To them shagging Draco Malfoy was the Holy Grail of all sexual conquests. He knew Cho only had this hoard of girls for two reasons: the first being her won personal pleasure and the second being that she didn't like to see men at her parties sitting alone (women were never invited unless Cho was positive they were to be accompanied by a male date). And for these two reasons only, Draco put up with the girl who was assigned to him for the evening.
Well maybe there was a third reason for putting up with this torture. Draco had hoped to be seated at the same table as she had been. He and Cho were old friends, but once word was out that he had been seen with Viktor, he was placed with Viktor and Hermione at a far off table. Though he was distant, Malfoy kept creating perfectly good reasons to turn around or to leave the table. He had dropped his napkin twice, had gone to "get some air" at least once, and had retreated to the rest room three times all by the time dinner was over. His efforts weren't without reward. He had caught several glimpses of the back of Ginny's head, and thankfully the woman seated with him (he believed her name was Nadia) was too aloof or too drunk to notice.
The tables were soon magically pushed aside as Cho's private string quartet joined the rest of the party in the gazebo. Some couples took the opportunity to stroll and to explore about the garden, while others twirled gracefully around the dance floor. Cho was perched in her favorite chair, which was brought out for the purpose of her observing everything surrounding her. No one was to be seated at this point in time; everyone was to be occupied with some sort of activity. Cho despised wallflowers. So much so that when she saw Draco and Nadia still seated (and neither was making a drunken fool of themselves), she glowered in their general direction until Draco took the hint.
He sighed. Certainly dancing with this girl couldn't be too unbearable. He was a strong partner, which was one benefit of being raised in a rich family, and she was Cho's girls after all. They whirled about the floor in such a fashion that they were certain to attract some attention, and that was exactly Draco's intention. For soon enough he found his eyes locked with a pair of most beautiful brown ones.
xXxXx
Ginny always loved dancing with Blaise. There was something about the way they moved together that made Ginny feel like the most elegant lady in the entire world. The couple would glide not different to the way swans just barely skim the surface of lake waters as they float along. Though Ginny felt exulted above every woman ever born, she was still well aware of her surroundings. She occasionally saw Hermione and Viktor across the room and would offer a smile or a small nod. Ginny also caught a glimpse of Cho who would wink and smile like the Cheshire cat in Ginny's direction. In reaction to these gestures Ginny would instantly stiffen, and Blaise would whisper words of comfort. But nothing could calm her nerves when she found herself staring into the eyes of Draco Malfoy.
xXxXx
Inside the old wardrobe of Draco Malfoy's childhood bedroom was darker than a cloudy night in the Forbidden Forrest. If it were not for the fact that they were practically sharing boots, Ginny would not have known Draco was in there with her because she couldn't even see the nose on her face. In the dark their remaining senses were heightened, especially since they could not talk out of fear that Lucius Malfoy – whom they had been spying on – would hear them and their cover would be completely blown (as private Healers in training for the Order, Ginny and Draco were qualified in the art of espionage). "Just breathe," Ginny mentally reminded herself. The wardrobe was small; it was a small miracle that they both fit in there. Ginny was a little bit claustrophobic, and being in close proximity to Draco was not helping her to breathe any easier. They were both worn out from running through the mansion. Every so often their heaving chests would brush and Ginny would feel the most delightful electricity. She couldn't hear him talk, but she could hear him breath and feel his muscles flex and relax against her body. She couldn't see him either, but she knew the look he was giving her – the "Stop breathing so damn hard or neither one of us will breathe ever again!" Hoping she had the same effect on him, Ginny gave a look to the darkness in his general direction saying – "Well how is one supposed to shut up when they're claustrophobic and stuck in a closet?" Ginny heard Draco's head lightly hit the wardrobe wall. She could tell that he had looked up at the ceiling, was shaking his head, and was trying with all his might to conceal a laugh. Within the blink of an eye Draco straightened up and brought his hand to Ginny's cheek.
If the heat radiating from kisses were powerful enough to start fires, then Draco and Ginny's hiding place would have been a dead give away. Tongues danced as Draco wound his hands through the fiery curls as Ginny placed her hands on his neck urging him closer. His free hand snaked lower to her waist, and she shivered when his finger tips brushed a piece of bare skin that had been revealed when her black t-shirt had ridden up from running so fast. Ginny completely melted into him. "But here?" she thought. It wasn't the time or the place. So Ginny reluctantly put her hands on his chest to gently push him away. From then on, nothing would be the same.
xXxXx
Blaise escorted Ginny outside of the gazebo. He could not figure out what was wrong. One minute she was perfectly fine, and the next she was as pale as a sheet and was on the verge of passing out. Ginny claimed that she was alright, a tad bit woozy, but still okay. She had Blaise at her beckon call; however, she only wanted him to sit with her in the garden, nothing outrageous. Ginny was positive that once her heart rate had returned to normal and she had some fresh air in her lungs, she would be fine. She had had quite a scare. Who expects to see their ex at a party when he's supposed to be in a completely different country?
The couple had been away from the party for only a few minutes when Cho appeared from around the corner with a small entourage, including Marcus Flint and Pansy, and Cho's two best girls in tow. "Zabini," the hostess said with a sophisticated air, "we were going to discuss that new project in the smoking room, if you'd like to join us."
Ginny knew that tone. What Cho had really meant was, "Get your ass inside if you know what's good for you."
"I'm sorry, Cho, but I don't want to leave Ginny by herself at the moment," Blaise admitted. "She's still a bit lightheaded." She loved it when he used his business voice, but not when it cause Cho to look like she had been smacked across the face.
"Well, I could leave either Li Mei or Madlaina with her," Cho offered sweetly. "Or she could lay down in one of my guest rooms." She was trying everything to get her way. Ginny's eyes widened. She wasn't all there at the moment, but she knew there was no way in hell that she was going to be left alone with Li Mei or Madlaina. She silently pleaded with Blaise not to go.
"I'm sorry, Cho, I–"
"Yes you can, Zabini. Go ahead," called a voice from the back of the small crowd. Suddenly a body appeared to match the voice, which belonged to none other than Draco. "Go on, mate; I'll stay with her. I already know about the new project. We'll catch up later, but for now go talk to Chang."
Blaise looked completely gob smacked. His best childhood friend whom he hadn't seen nor heard from in ages was suddenly in front of him, offering to watch over his girlfriend for him. What was there to do? "You're sure?" Draco nodded and shook his friend's hand. This time Blaise ignored Ginny's pleading looks. He kissed her forehead. "I won't be long," he murmured while she sat on the bench pouting.
Cho left with her elite clique and Draco joined Ginny on the bench. Once the rest of the group was out of sight, she turned her back to him. She couldn't bear to look at him; just by sitting there he was making her nervous. At least she wasn't the only one. Even with her back to him Ginny still had her ability to feel how tensely Draco was sitting. She could picture him without even turning her head the slightest degree. His back would be completely straight partially from nerves but partially from growing up in the upper crust. A Malfoy man never slouches. Draco normally left his hands on his knees; however, considering the circumstances he would most likely be twiddling his thumbs. He wouldn't look at Ginny, not yet anyway. He'd be staring straight ahead until he would work up enough confidence to glance at her out of the corner of his eye. If he gained enough courage, then Draco would say something, usually something sarcastic or biting.
"So what's in been, Weasley? Two years?"
"Four," Ginny snapped back. She had him all mapped out, and she wasn't playing by his rules tonight.
"Four years and not one letter? Tisk, tisk. That wasn't very courteous of you," Draco drawled. He crossed his arms against his chest and rested his left foot on his right knee. Ginny saw all of this with her back still turned.
"You didn't write either."
"And how would that look? Writing to my ex who happens to be playing house with my best mate from school," he sighed. "It's just not done, Weasley, writing to a happily engaged ex or shacking up with an ex's friend."
That wasn't like him; he wouldn't go there, not with her. He had been that harsh with Pansy in the past, but never with her. Ginny was seeing red. She whipped around and jabbed a finger into his chest.
"Listen, Malfoy, we might've had something once, but not anymore, especially with the way you're acting tonight. You could too have written and still been proper. Blaise doesn't read my mail; I'm a big girl you know," Ginny raged. Her entire body was shaking in anger. "I had no choice in the matter. My family needs the money and the Order needed me to do this. And for the billionth time, Blaise and I aren't engaged!"
Draco looked as if a blast-ended skrewt had blown up in his face. He had forgotten what it was like to have a woman put him in his place and how much he liked it when this particular woman did it. Once the shock wore off he began to speak: "I know what he had is over, but don't you ever miss it? Don't you ever think about what could have been? You had a choice, even if you don't want to admit it because you know what we had was different than what you hear about everyday couples. But my question is, what does the Order have to do with you and Blaise?"
Ginny's face softened and the rest of her body relaxed. This was the Draco Malfoy she knew and loved. This was the guy who not only would bring you lunch but for your best friend who was having a rough time. He was also the guy who would stand behind you in the elevator in St. Mungo's and would beg you to spend fifteen minutes in the elevator so he could have his wicked way with you. You could smell like blood, vomit, or fesses and he still wouldn't care. Ginny was about to open her mouth when Blaise returned.
xXxXx
"Did you have a good time tonight?" Blaise asked later that night when he and Ginny were in bed.
"I had fun dancing with you," Ginny rolled over to face her boyfriend. "Cho was creeping me out though." Blaise stifled a laugh. "What? What's so funny?" She smacked his arm playfully.
"Don't you know?" Ginny shook her head in response. This time Blaise laughed out loud. "Cho's bisexual."
Ginny buried her head in Blaise's chest and laughed along with her boyfriend.
xXxXx
A/N: Sorry for the wait. I know this chapter took awhile, but I wanted it to be perfect (Alyssa starts cheering because I finally finished this chapter). My question is did anyone catch the Kill Bill in there? If you did make the connection, I'm very proud and you deserve a cookie. If you have trouble picturing the garden, think about A Midsummer's Night Dream, which completely inspired how I wanted the atmosphere in the scene to be.
As for Cho – I know I probably didn't stay true to the character, like everyone wanted, but I do things for reasons. She needed to be a foil to Ginny; therefore, I had to make her the badass chick that could conquer the world if she wanted – hence the "I'm a slut and proud" and take no prisoners attitudes.
It might be awhile before the next chapter gets up. Christmas time is busy because of Nutcracker, but maybe I'll get some downtime at rehearsals to work on it more. Ok, review. Suggestions are always welcome too!