TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

Chapter 3: Reunion?

Draco sighed, putting his head in his hands. It had been an exhausting week. Between filing all his reports at work, and furnishing his new flat, he had had no time to relax all week. At least now he had a completely decorated flat to come home to each night. Thank goodness that's over. Interior design is killer.

Tonight Draco was going clubbing with Blaise and some girls. The girls were acquaintances that Blaise had made at work. Always the lady's man, Blaise was always moving from one girl to the next. Sodding wanker, Draco thought with a snort. Always has a new girlfriend.

Glancing up at the clock on the wall in his office, Draco realized with a start that his shift had ended fifteen minutes before. Grabbing his cloak off the rack by the door, Draco headed home to get ready for a night on the town.

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Ginny peered at her reflection in the bathroom mirror one last time, adding the finishing touches to her makeup by adding another coat of gloss to her lips. Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"I'm coming!" she called.

Putting the lip gloss back in her makeup bag, she went to go answer the door.

"Ready?" her best friend Luna Lovegood asked. Luna looked stunning in her dark blue sequin spaghetti strap dress with stiletto heels and a metallic clutch purse.

"Yep, let's go!" Ginny said excitedly as she grabbed her purse before heading out the door.

The two pals headed to Muse, a posh club on the outskirts of town.

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Draco sighed irritably as he watched Blaise flirt with another gorgeous girl by the bar. Draco had always been jealous of his friend's easy manners. Draco had a much harder time being pleasant to people he didn't know… or being pleasant at all, really. He was handsome, yes, but girls always seemed to go for Blaise's charm instead.

Draco looked around the club for what seemed like the thousandth time. He caught the eye of several wily looking females. Just like vultures, he thought as one eyed him hungrily.

Just as he was about to scowl at the staring girl, he noticed someone coming in the door.

Bloody hell, he thought, who is that? The most gorgeous girl he had ever seen was dressed to kill in a short black dress and heels. Her mid-length auburn hair fell in gentle waves about her face. Her striking brown eyes were filled with warmth and light as she laughed at something her blond friend had just said to her. There was something strangely familiar about her…

"What the…" Draco was revolted as he realized who he had been checking out. It's that Weasley girl! His eyes widened in realization. That blonde she is with must be Loony Lovegood!

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"Holy goffnars!" Luna exclaimed. "Who is that man coming towards us? He looks familiar, and he's a total hunk!"

Ginny looked to see who Luna was talking about and swore.

"Luna! It's Malfoy!" "That git! He's coming over to talk to us!"

Even as Ginny ranted, she couldn't help but admit that Luna was right in calling Malfoy handsome. He was in black slacks and a black long-sleeve button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms. As he sauntered over, everything about him just screamed 'Slytherin bad boy'.

Trying to ignore his toned chest as he stopped to stand in front of her, Ginny forced her gaze upward to look Draco Malfoy in the eye.

"Well, well, well, Weasley, long time no see. Someone seems to have grown up." Draco scanned his eyes slowly up and down her body with an inscrutable look on his face.

Fighting the blush that was trying to creep into her face at his intense gaze, Ginny coldly replied, "So sorry, but I don't believe that I can say the same about you."

Twisting his face into an ugly sneer, Draco taunted, "Where did you get that dress Weasley? Did your crazy friend give it too you, or did you sell your house to pay for it?"

Bristling with anger, Ginny drew herself up to her full height.

"Speaking of paying, how much did you have to pay that girl to pretend to be your date tonight?" She asked with fake innocent curiosity, gesturing towards girl who had been staring at him earlier.

Draco was opening his mouth to retort when another voice interrupted him.

"Ginny? Ginny Weasley?" Blaise asked, his face beaming with a smile of delight.

"Zabini." Ginny greeted cordially.

"Wow, you sure have changed since school! So nice to see you again! And…and who is you friend?" Blaise had eyed Luna and was struck by her ethereal beauty.

"I am Luna Lovegood." Luna said dreamily. Draco tried to hold back a snicker at her airy tone of voice.

"Ah yes, I remember you. How nice to meet you, again." Blaise seemed to be slightly dazed, and turned back to Ginny as he tried to recover.

"Just like old times! Why, it's just like a school reunion! Yes, this is what this is, a reunion!"

"Er…yes…" Ginny said, not sure how to respond to his enthusiasm.

Draco was looking at his friend as if he had grown a third head.

"Reunion?" he questioned.

"Of course! Draco, really, don't be so dense." Blaise teased, not wanting Draco to ruin his good time by being…Draco.

Draco narrowed his eyes, but before he had time to reply, Blaise had already threw an arm around Luna and the other around Ginny and was striding towards the other side of the club.

With a huff, Draco started to follow after his friend, wondering what on earth his friend had gotten him into.

This fic takes place as if the events of Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows has not happened. (Post Order of the Phoenix, Pre HBP)