A/N: Remember this is based in the magical district of Anger, France. Much like Diagon Alley…but in Anger... and without a name b/c I'm lazy. Lol.
I'm not too sure about this chapter. It might be too fluffy... too sugary, but I thought that they deserve a vacation from some of the drama. Tell me what you think
Chapter 28
Draco awoke to the sound of running water; his eyes opening slowly, hesitantly. Light shined upon his corneas and he blinked a few times in confusion, reacquainting himself with his surroundings.
Ah, yes. The hotel: Anger, France. The mission: to find Avery.
He arched his back, stretching languidly, as he tried to relieve some of the tension in his muscles. His whole body was sore from sleeping on the room's couch. He extended his arms over his head, hearing a satisfying 'pop' as he did so. With a yawn, he swung his legs over the side of the couch and sat up.
He could just make out the sounds of humming over the static noise of the shower and he smiled to himself. He ran a hand through his shoulder length hair and settled back into the couch cushions. He closed his eyes for a moment and was assaulted by images of a nude Ginny in the shower -water cascading down her body, her hands caressing her skin…
His eyes shot open quickly and he groaned, hitting the back of his head against the couch repeatedly, trying to rid his mind of those dangerous thoughts. Looking towards the ceiling, he remembered how nervous she had been the previous night.
O..o..o..o…o.o..o.o.o.o
The door swung inward, opening into their dark hotel room. Draco drawled a quick spell and the room was illuminated with soft white light.
The room was small and sparsely furnished. There was a small fireplace with a couch and coffee table facing it, a queen sized bed, and a door to the left that they soon learned led to the bathroom. On the nightstand beside the bed were a few books; one was a menu for room service and the other was a list of attractions with some coupons that could be used in the area.
"Well…" Draco said after a moment, breaking the silence. "Let's get unpacked, shall we?" he asked, walking to the couch and removing his shrunken trunk from his pocket to enlarge it.
Ginny made her way to the bed, doing the same. Her back was towards him, and neither of them spoke a word as they unpacked.
When Draco was finished, he looked over to see her progress. She had just removed a packet of their paperwork for the case and placed it on the night stand. "Do you want to go over our strategy tonight? Get a head start on tomorrow?" he directed towards her back, smiling when he saw her stiffen.
"Uhm." She fidgeted in her place, turning her face towards him but not looking at him. "I'm actually kind of tired. I'm just going to… get ready for bed."
"Alright. I'm exhausted as well."
"I'll just go get ready in the bathroom," she mumbled.
"Alright, I'll get ready out here," he responded quickly as she rushed towards the bathroom. "I'll knock when I'm ready for you to come out." When he heard the bathroom door lock behind her, he let out a quiet chuckle before grabbing his night clothes and getting ready for bed.
He removed his clothes slowly, taking his time and laughing quietly when he heard frustrated grumbles coming from the direction of the restroom. He pulled his shirt over his head and removed his shoes and socks before finally unbuckling his belt and sliding his pants down to the floor. Deciding against wearing a shirt (mainly just to see her reaction), he dressed in a pair of black silk pajama pants.
He was about to go over and knock on the restroom door, when he doubled back and sprayed some cologne on his chest. He took a deep breath in through his nostrils and smirked before walking to the door and giving it a swift, short knock.
"I'm ready," he called, snorting when he heard her yelp in surprise. Draco backed up a few steps, leaning against the wall casually with his arms crossed over his chest. He positioned himself perfectly so that when she entered the room, the first thing she would see was him, shirtless. He couldn't wait to see how tomato red her face would turn.
He was still standing that way five minutes later.
What was taking her so long? He shifted feet, careful to remain in his unassuming, sexy pose. Every once in a while, he could hear her mumbling to herself. It couldn't be that bad. She was probably just embarrassed about her night clothes. She probably just wore a big, dumpy t-shirt and a raggedy pair of sweat pants to bed. That wasn't enough to get this worked up over.
With an exasperated sigh, he reached forward and rapped his knuckles against the wood once more. "Weasley, come on. It's time for bed." He heard a short whimper and backed up, standing back in his pose against the wall as he heard the lock unclick on the door.
He gasped as she emerged, thin satin fabric flowing around her knees. His breath caught in his throat and he felt as if his knees were going to give out as he looked at her.
Her eyes were trained on the floor and her cheeks were tinged a pretty pink, as her teeth worried at her bottom lip. Her hands were at her sides, fisted in the rich purple of her night dress. It was just a plain stretch of satin with spaghetti straps holding it to her shoulders; it was snug against her waist and then flared out at the hips.
His eyes trailed down her body, down to her bare feet, before sliding back up to her face. As if she had just received a boost of courage, Ginny jerked her head up, her eyes coming up to meet his. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something to him and then shut it quickly.
He watched as her eyes widened, wondering if his had done the same when he had gotten his first glance of her in her night clothes.
She licked her lips and turned her face away. "Goodnight," she whispered, moving towards the bed and getting under the covers.
Draco watched her, wanting to join her in the bed, wanting to feel her body against his, the thin fabric of her nightgown the only thing separating their bodies as they moved against each other…
Oh, gods.
He swallowed loudly and mumbled for her to sleep well before turning towards the couch and lying down. He turned the lights off with a flick of his wand and closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep. The room was silent and it unnerved him, making him open his eyes again to stare up at the ceiling through the darkness.
The sound of feet falling gently upon the floor reached him and he turned his head to see her in the very dim light from the window. Her body was silhouetted against the warm glow from the moon; her hair was surrounded by a radiant halo and her night dress glittered with shattered beams of silver.
"Gin..."
"I thought you might be cold," she whispered as if someone was trying to listen.
He sat up and she pressed a blanket into his hands. "What about you?" he murmured.
"I'll be fine, there's another on the bed," she replied, her voice growing distant as she moved back over to the bed. He heard the rustling of fabric on fabric as she crawled back on the mattress.
"Goodnight."
"'Night."
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There was a slight squeaking from the pipes as the water in the bathroom was shut off.
Draco yawned loudly and got up, scrubbing a hand down his face as he moved over to the bed to flip through the room service menu. The door to his left creaked open and he turned to see steam billowing into the room. Ginny emerged, scrunching water from her hair. He was slightly disappointed to see that she had already changed into some jeans and a button up shirt, wishing to see her in his satin night dress again, during the day.
"You're up," she acknowledged as she walked over to him.
She moved around him, her arm brushing his as she reached for her wand. She smelled wonderful-crisp, clean, and feminine. Sexy.
"Yeah…" was all he managed to say as he watched her spell her hair dry. She fluffed her long hair around her shoulders and Draco just stood there, stock still, as if he had been hit by a stunner.
Ginny blinked up at him. "Are you going to take a shower?"
He coughed quickly. "Yes, I was just looking at the room service menu." Gods, that sounded incredibly lame.
"Alright. What would you like? I'll order while you get ready."
He watched her write down their orders before walking into the restroom, still warm and damp from her shower. He locked the door behind himself and began removing his pants. What was going on? He was supposed to be seducing her, not the other way around. With a few deep breaths, he entered the shower stall, preparing himself for a very cold wake-up shower.
Twenty minutes later, they were both sitting on the couch, the dishes from their breakfast on the coffee table, as they poured over their paperwork. Ginny traced the words with her fingers as she read. They had been supplied with a map of the town and a list of households with the surname 'Martin'. There were a total of seven known Martin houses, some bigger than others, some Muggle and some magical.
They had minimal information about the inhabitants of these homes, and search warrants to use as needed. Seven houses, one in which Avery was believed to be hiding, and only three days to find him in.
"We'll go to the houses and say that we are looking for your English cousin."
Ginny nodded as Draco spoke. "That's good. That way we won't look too suspicious. We won't alert the French ministry or their Aurors."
"Yes. I think that is the best course of action. I also think it would be a good idea if you don't speak when we go to the houses"
"What?"
"You'd end up saying something that would offend someone and then..."
"Offend someone?"
"Weasley, you don't even speak French. It would just be easier if you just stood back and..."
"Watched your back, right? You always get to be the point! Damn it, I want to take point!"
Draco closed his eyes tightly, rubbing the bridge of his nose in an irritated manner. "Look, I just meant that--"
"Cut the crap, Ferret. I won't screw up the mission, alright?"
He scowled at her. "Fine."
"Fine," she mimicked, pleased when she saw annoyance flash across his features.
"We'll start at the closest house and make our way through town," he amended and looked at her to see if she agreed.
Ginny simply stared at him, one eye brow raised in a silent challenge.
"Weasley!"
"What? I was simply practicing not speaking."
His eyes twitched just the littlest bit and Ginny could see that he was trying hard not to either laugh or wring her neck. "Cute. Very cute."
"I try," she said with a mock curtsey before preceding him out the door.
o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o.o..o..o..o.
They reached the doorstep of the first house quickly. Ginny stood back a few steps as Draco knocked loudly on the thick wooden door. The people inside seemed confused by their questions, and it soon became apparent that they were not going to be any help. The two Aurors left quickly, making their way to the second house, a small home with yellow trim and a large knocker on the door. Draco knocked on this door loudly, much like at the previous house, and after a few seconds, the door opened and a very small and very old woman squinted out into the daylight.
"Yes?" she called.
"Hello Madame, do you speak English?" Draco asked her kindly.
"I do," she admitted, looking at them suspiciously.
Draco opened his mouth to speak but was slapped on the arm as Ginny stepped forward. "Good day, Madame. I am looking for my cousin and was wondering if maybe you had seen him."
Ginny could feel Draco glaring half heartedly at her back and smiled.
"Your cousin?" the elderly woman probed.
"Yes, he—" Ginny began, only to be cut off by her partner.
"Il s'est déplacé ici pas il y a bien longtemps et nous sommes venus pour l'étonner que malheureusement nous ne savons pas où il vit. Il est anglais, comme nous, et a les cheveux bruns foncés à ses épaules et à un nez très en avant," Draco said confidently, ignoring the looks he was receiving from his partner. (He moved here not long ago and we have come to surprise him. unfortunately we do not know where he lives. He is English, like us, and has dark brown hair to his shoulders and a very prominent nose.)
"Je sais sans hommes anglais, monsieur. Nous tendons à garder à nous-mêmes dans la colère." (I know of no English men, sir. We tend to keep to ourselves in Anger.)
"Vous le connaîtriez, Madame, il vient ici très peu mais possède une maison ici. Son dernier nom est Martin, nous espéraient que c'était où il a vécu." (You would know him, Madame; he comes here very little, but does own a home here. His last name is Martin; we were hoping this was where he lived.)
The old woman looked Draco over carefully before turning to Ginny and doing the same to her. Draco watched as the woman's eyes softened as she looked upon his partner.
"Je ne sais pas beaucoup, mais intérieur venu et moi vous indiquerons tout que je sais." (I do not know much, but come inside and I will tell you all that I do know.)
"Merci, Madame"
As Ginny entered the house, the woman grabbed her hand, patting it gently and leading her further into the house. Draco closed the front door behind them, his eyes never leaving the redhead or the old woman that tugged her through the house.
He followed after them quickly into a small sitting room. The woman offered them both tea and coffee, and when they refused, the three of them took their seats; Draco and Ginny sitting beside each other on a well worn couch with an elaborately knitted afghan along the back, while the woman sat in a large blue chair. She pulled her shawl around her shoulders tightly as they sat.
Draco opened his mouth to question her, but the woman just held up a knobby, wrinkled hand to stop him. Draco's eyebrows rose together in confusion, but he said nothing as the two of them waited for their hostess to speak.
"Je sais de la recherche d'homme mais pas où il réside quand il est ici. Je peux sentir lui-son aura est foncé, un d'un homme qui ferait n'importe quoi pour la réputation. Pour un endroit de puissance. Il veut être près de ceux de la puissance mais pas trop près du dessus, où il pourrait se mettre en danger." (I know of the man you seek, but not where he resides when he is here. I can sense him-his aura is a dark one, one of a man who would do anything for reputation, for a place of power. He wants to be near those of power, but not too close to the top where he could endanger himself.)
"Can you tell us—"
"Vous le trouverez. Votre recherche finira. Beaucoup seront sauvés." (You will find him. Your quest will end. Many will be saved.)
"You're a seer," Draco said in realization. "What else can you tell us? Can you tell us where to look?"
"No, that is all," she finished in English.
Draco sat still for a few moments before nodding curtly. "Thank you."
"I hope I have been of some assistance," she said as she stood up gingerly. Ginny reached forward, holding her under her arms and lifting her out of the chair. As she pulled the woman up to her full height, their eyes locked and Ginny's mind went blank. It was as if nothing else in the world existed, only the old woman and herself.
'You have many questions that I can not answer for you. Your aura is very confused. You are naturally brave, but lately you find yourself afraid. Be assured, when the time comes you will know what choice to make.'
The elderly woman's lips curved upward and she nodded as she patted Ginny's hand once more, shaking her from her daze.
"Madame… I…"
"You will know," she answered with a whisper as she led them both to the front door.
Draco and Ginny thanked her before leaving, and the elderly woman just smiled at them, waving one last time before closing the door behind her.
Ginny looked up at her partner as they made their way down the cobbled road. He didn't look like he had noticed anything, and if he had, he certainly wasn't bringing it up. Her brows drew together in confusion and she bit her lip. What would she know?
"You want lunch?" Draco asked.
"Huh?"
"You looked deep in thought there, you ok?"
"Oh, yeah. Just frustrated, I guess," Ginny admitted, puffing out a breath as she spoke.
"Mm, that was a bit of a waste of time, we were in there longer than we should have been."
"Hm," she murmured, still lost in her own thoughts.
Draco watched her curiously. She wasn't telling him something. "Let's take a break and grab a late lunch," he offered, not wanting to push her to talk.
"Alright," she agreed with a small grin and Draco smirked back at her. He had learned long ago that the mention of food was the cure to any Weasley foul mood.
o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o..o.o..o.o..o.o..o..o..o..o
Draco led them to a colorfully decorated café, holding the door open for her as they walked inside. They sat at a table at the back of the restaurant where they wouldn't draw too much attention to themselves. The tables were small and round so that two people at one table had to sit closely together in order to reach their food. There was a frilly table cloth over each table and a tiny candle sat in the middle. Ginny couldn't help but be reminded of Madam Puddifoot's as they crammed themselves around the small table.
They ordered quickly and chatted idly as they ate. Ginny gestured her fork in the direction of his salad. "Es zat goot?"
"Excuse me?" he asked, one brow raised in amusement.
She swallowed loudly and cleared her throat before trying again. "I asked if your salad was good."
"Oh. Yes. Very," he said, scooting his salad closer to himself and farther away from her.
The redhead rolled her eyes. "You don't have to act so defensive. I just wanted to try a bite" she said, her bottom lip pouting pathetically.
"Gods, you are such a whiner today." Draco sighed, thrusting his salad at her.
"Well, maybe if someone didn't keep me awake half of the night snoring…" Ginny sneered as she took a bite of his salad.
"I do NOT snore," he replied, pulling his lunch back out of her reach.
"Really?" she asked sarcastically.
"Truly," he answered, curling his upper lip at one side.
"Not only do you snore, you shake the bloody walls! It's almost inhuman how loud it is! Ugh! It was awful; I thought I was going to die."
"And yet here you are."
"Yes, it's a miracle. Someone with less tolerance for your obnoxiousness would have certainly suffered a very painful end," she argued, reaching to stab at his food once more with her fork.
"I do not snore," he growled.
Ginny held her hands up, dropping her fork to the table. "Fine, fine. You don't snore. You just… gargle… loudly, in your sleep."
His face became pinched with annoyance, as if he had just tasted something sour and Ginny burst into laughter.
"I swear! Oh, Draco it was terrible! Like a muggle car starting up or a—"
Her sentence was cut off abruptly as her chin was jerked up and two warm lips met hers. His grip on her jaw was demanding but gentle as he slid his mouth against hers, and soon she found herself giving in.
Her eyes fluttered shut slowly as she parted her lips, leaving room for the kiss to deepen. He pulled her closer, his tongue reaching out to hers playfully, sensually. She sighed into his mouth, and ran her hands through his hair, tugging lightly at the strands.
His fingers moved to her neck and traveled lower, leaving her skin tingling with his gentle touch. Her body felt feverish and her limbs like liquid as she wrapped herself around him. She gasped for breath as they pulled away just the slightest bit, short kisses replacing the long languid one from before, but no less passionate. With a throaty purr, he pulled her in again, guiding her mouth to his forcefully. Their kiss was both a battle for dominance and a dance of seduction. It was intense and passionate and sent heat searing through her, down to her core.
He reached the bottom of her shirt and lifted it slightly at the hem, wanting to touch skin. As soon as his skin caressed hers, an electric jolt shot through Ginny's stomach, sending her flying back to reality. She ripped her mouth from his with a quiet smacking noise and pushed her chair away from the table, wanting to put some space between them so that she wouldn't reach for him.
She knew that her skin was probably an unappealing tomato red, and she had to hold her hands together to keep them from shaking. Her fingers still ached with the feeling of being wrapped in his hair, of touching his skin, and she could feel her pulse thumping against her throat. The heat of their kisses began to cool as her breath hit her wet lips.
She glanced over at him; his silver blonde sweep of hair messy around his face, his eyes heavily lidded and his breathing erratic. Oh how she just wanted to fall into his embrace and kisses and never stop…
She was here, in France, with no one she knew around for miles. Here, a Malfoy and Weasley didn't seem so impossible, nor did a pig headed blond and a hot tempered redhead. So why did she stop?
She watched as Draco began to pull himself together, his eyes glaring a hole into the table as he smoothed his hair and fixed his shirt… how had the first few buttons come undone, anyway?
"That shouldn't have happened," he said after a few moments of awkward silence.
"No," she agreed with a tilt of her head.
"Not like that," he finished and Ginny looked at him curiously. As if nothing had even happened, Work/Responsible/Auror Draco came forward and he checked his watch.
"We still have enough time to check one more house before we call it a day," he drawled in a tone that suggested boredom. He stood from his seat, throwing a handful of coins down onto the table before walking out of the restaurant with a self assured liquid grace.
With a sigh and a painful mental slap, Ginny followed him out the door and into the fading sunlight.
A/N: So whaddya think?!? lol
Yay! over 200 reviews! Thanks so much! You guys are awesome!
Thanks to all my recent reviewers: SilverUnicorn66, dementorchic, GinnyGINvampire00 aka Evon, cheveuxrougefaux, CanYouLovetheImaginary, QueenBee11, Dumbledore's Troop, grannyHPfan, Tanelle, kasey and tina 07, Rebecca Munin, dragoncharmer79, AuntAnnie, dramaqueen872005, Bella118,
harrypotterchick4ever, Robin
Sorry if this chapter seemed rushed, I'm getting antsy as we get closer and closer to the catalyst. lol.
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