The beginning of the end.
I own nothing, it's all yours J.K
Wednesday, March 7th, 2001.
Ginevra,
As you've probably already noticed I've sent over some galleons. Go to the store and stock up, it seems I'll be over Friday after all. Before you ask, of course Father is annoyed that I once again shirked my responsibilities. I also know he thinks if he drills all there is about running a company into me now, then I'll magically wake up one day and have some kind of overbearing desire to take charge. But let's face it, I'll be 21 this year, which means I'll be getting one third of my inheritance, and in turn will want all the free time in the world to play with it. No time for being the head of a company I'm afraid. Plus, I really do know all there is to know, and could take over tomorrow if I so wished.
Anyway, we'll have plenty of time to talk about that. I'm in need of a good dose of your special Weasley brand of fiery wit.
Serpent of your dreams,
Draco.
Draco,
I'm so glad you can come. Normally I would give you a lecture about how you can't run from your responsibilities forever, but then you'd just say in your pompously cocky and arrogant way "I am a Malfoy, and as such am entitled to do whatever I please". Actually I'm quite glad we can have this downtime together, the only downside to keeping this friendship a secret is not being able to just vent to you whenever I run into you in public. And I am in dire need of a good vent.
Oh and I've already been to the shops, I kind of forgot the eggs. There's no way I'm going back there though, that creepy teenage adolescent still works there and still manages to freak me out every time I go. So you will just have to make do with just bacon and no eggs, because under no circumstances am I going back there until my next big shopping day in two weeks.
Much love,
Ginny.
Weasel,
Don't make me laugh. I am not pompous.
Draco.
P.S, There will be eggs.
Saturday, March 10th, 2001.
Weasel,
So I wake up this morning, thinking about what a lovely night we had together, only to find you M.I.A. I can't believe you left. After everything we've been through, you just decide to up and leave without even discussing it with me. Guess I don't mean that much to you after all.
Your supposed best friend,
Draco.
Lunatic,
I'm only across the road buying eggs so I can make your sorry arse breakfast, yet again. I can see you from where I'm standing for heaven's sake! Get away from the window before someone spots you in my apartment. I'll be home in about 2 minutes.
Not your maid,
Ginny.
Ginevra,
Honestly woman stop smothering me! I know I'm irresistibly charming, and as you're a woman you're just naturally drawn to me, but you only went across the road, there's no need to owl. Plus I'll be here for the next few days, so you need not worry, you will get your chance to bask in my glow yet. Also, stop watching me. Stalker.
All that you strive to be,
Draco.
Thursday, April 5th, 2001.
Dearest Draco,
I can't believe it's been nearly a month since you even owled. Pretty sure I've sent you three. In fact the last time you owled me was when you stayed those few days last month, and I was 3 minutes away from you. What a magically refreshing time that was. So this is how it is now huh? Oh wait a minute, you're seeing someone aren't you? Or you at least have your eye on someone. Tell me the details. You know I'll find out what I want eventually, whether you like it or not. Anyway the purpose of this owl was to ask if you had any plans for your birthday yet? I know it's nearly two months away, but surely your mother has something planned, and surely you have a way of sneaking me in, unrecognised. It is a special birthday after all. I simply can't miss it. I know you'll reply eventually, you can't go this long without your, what did you call it? Your dose of "Weasley wit and fire?".I pretty much just wanted to annoy you for taking so long.
Much love,
Ginny.
Friday, May 25th, 2001.
Dearest Ginevra
You know me too well. I sincerely apologise for not owling, I've had other matters on my mind, and a lot to think about since my last visit. I have found someone, but I want to tell you about it in person, to explain it face to face, it seems only right. I'll be over Monday, so have that lovely shortcake ready. What I will say is that she's feisty and witty. She is a pureblood, and although her family's name is a disgrace, it will still have some sway on getting a blessing from my parents. She has this sense of humour that only we understand. She's definitely a looker, and has this uncanny ability to read straight through me and I can't stop thinking abo-...
At that Ginny Weasley dropped the letter and recoiled in horror. Draco Malfoy had just in no uncertain terms, confessed his love for her. This was an absolute disaster.
Monday, 28th May, 2001.
Ginny looked at the clock again. Malfoy was late. In a way she was glad, but on the other hand she wanted to get this over as quickly as possible. She had spent the whole morning rehearsing what she was going to say to Draco, but could never get it quite right, and since he was late she figured she might as try one more time. Leaving the kitchen she passed her wooden desk, glared at the draw that hid the letter of doom, and continued making her way to the mirror on the opposite wall.
Staring into her reflection, she took a deep breath and released it slowly before beginning.
"Draco, you have been my closest friend for the longest time, and I treasure that dearly. While I'm greatly flattered and even more surprised by your feelings for me, our friendship is just something I can't risk, and to be honest, I've never even thought about thinking about you in that way - I mean it isn't as though you aren't a catch – not that I ever considered your potential as a boyfriend – of course you're attractive enough that isn't the case at all - it's just your my best friend and things would get weird - not to mention our families hate each other and Ron would most certainly make an attempt at your life and . . . and I'm a complete idiot and have no idea what the hell I'm going to say."
At this she gave herself a big fake cheesy grin before returning to her morning scowl.
A tapping at her window brought her out of her wallowing as Malfoy's elegant owl swooped under the half-closed pane, dropped a silver envelope on her couch and left without so much as a hoot.
Picking up the beautiful silver package she turned it over to see her name in elegant scripture, it was obvious to her Draco had written her name on the front himself. With absolute confusion she flipped it back over and unfolded the paper. Ginny felt her stomach drop lower and lower. It was most certainly an invitation, but typically these kinds of fancy envelope/invitations were reserved for weddings.
"Impossible." Ginny whispered to herself.
Lifting up the final flap, her profound curiosity came to an end. Reading aloud to herself, she felt her eyes start to prickle irritatingly.
"Draco Lucius and Pansy Iona cordially invite you to to join them as they unite in marriage. Tuesday, June the fifth, two thousand and one, at six o'clock in the evening. Malfoy Manor."
The stunned redhead brought a finger to her eye and withdrew it again, watching as the droplet ran down her finger.
"Impossible." She repeated.
Whether she was talking about the invitation or her reaction to it, she never had time to consider, as Draco Malfoy, came flaring from the fireplace. Taking in her glassy eyed silence and spotting the letter in her hand, he nervously ran a hand through his dishevelled and somewhat sooty hair.
"Shit" he muttered.
Ginny felt a lot of things then. Humiliation, betrayal, confusion, rejection, jealousy. 'Wait, jealousy?' She thought to herself. 'I spent all morning preparing to turn him down, I am not jealous. I'm . .I'm mad that's what I am!'
"I'm so sorry Gin" Draco mumbled sincerely.
"About what exactly Malfoy? The fact that you're all of a sudden in love and getting married to a gold-digging, manipulative whore or about the fact that I had to find out from a snobby owl who didn't even stop to let me pet or treat him let alone look in my direction!"
"I know your angry Gin but there's no need for badmouthing my fiance. I understand your concern, I've read the papers, but trust me, she's changed." Draco managed to get out calmly.
"Oh has she now? Well do tell Draco dear how has poverty treated your little wife to be? You know, since your father completely destroyed not only the company Pansy had been all ready to take over but also the once prestigious name of Parkinson? Hmm?"
"As a matter of fact, Pans is no longer in contact with her parents and refuses to call herself a Parkinson, as she's ashamed at her father's greed. That was what ultimately brought down the company and she, along with the rest of the business world, knows it. If you must know the whole experience of falling from grace has greatly humbled her. She's done charity work with muggles for Merlin's sake!" Draco shouted, struggling to reel in his temper. However the memory his best friend's stunned teary expression, while holding the dreaded invitation made him feel more than a twinge of guilt, and he made sure to soften his tone before continuing.
"As for telling you all this, that was what today's visit was for. Unfortunately mother must've sent the invites earlier than I had anticipated, and I'm really am so very sorry you had to find out the way you did." The Malfoy heir outstretched his arms and took a step toward Ginny, in an attempt to give her one of his apology hugs. They were quite rare indeed and under normal circumstances she would feel compelled to forgive him after receiving one, but Ginevra was still fuming inside. She stepped away instantly.
"Did you handwrite the names of all your guests on their invitations, or just mine?"
"I uh. . I" Draco stuttered. He thought he was in trouble before . .
"Let me guess," Ginny spat. "You haven't told her you're good friends with that lowly Weasley girl,"
"Well no, I thought we both agreed on keeping this thing a secret for as long as possible-"
"And what the hell would she think when I rock up to your wedding and we are all buddy- buddy? Or were you just going to treat me like you do when we bump into each other at other public events? All stony and indifferent?" Ginny watched as Draco's expression got guiltier and she felt an unexplainable ache in her chest. "Oh my god," she whispered as the truth of her words sunk in. "You weren't ever going to tell her, were you?"
"Don't be ridiculous Weasley of course I was!"
"When, hmm?" Was all Ginny managed to get out. Her tongue was playing with the inside of her cheek, a habit often present when that mad and hurt, sobbing was inevitable. Playing with her tongue was her discreet way of delaying said inevitable sobbing.
"Well I was aiming for telling her before the wedding, but during our honeymoon at the very latest. You know, when she's all Draco'd up" Wriggling his eyebrows, the attempt at using humour to cover his guilt failed miserably.
The youngest Weasley couldn't take any more. "Don't even bother." She swallowed back a sob.
"Excuse me?" Draco blurted
"Don't bother telling her why we are all buddy-buddy at your wedding, because I won't be there. I don't care what you say, but I'm right about her, she is using you and I'm not going to stand around and pretend not to care that you're marrying into a trap. You're getting married on your birthday? Come on Draco, I know your not that daft. That's two thirds of your inheritance in one hit right there, and guess who's entitled to it all should you stray? But like I said you knew that. That's the real reason you won't tell her about our friendship," The fuming redhead started pacing angrily in front of the handsome Slytherin. "You won't tell her after your wedding because you fear she may be overwhelmed by our closeness, and claim you're having an affair. And you won't tell her before in case she calls the whole thing off, once again threatened by our relationship."
"Weasley you're really starting to piss me off" Draco growled.
"Piss off then!" she spat back.
Draco headed for the fireplace, dangerously close to lashing out. He grabbed a handful of floo powder but before he threw it he pointed to Ginny and warned her.
"Weasley if you ever cared anything for our friendship, you will be at my wedding"
"After all I've been through today you're questioning me about our friendship! Piss off to your trophy wife you bloody prick."
"I mean it Weasley. If you're not there, because of some ridiculous high school grudge, then I'll take what we have as being over and you will not hear from me again."
Ginny stormed up to him and glared straight into his stormy eyes, despite tears freely spilling out of her own.
"Get. The fuck. Out."