Title: Call Me Ginevra

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I don't own any characters except those you can't research on the lexicon and aren't mentioned in the books. The plot is my own. Any resemblances to other plots are pure coincidence. Think about it this way, great minds think alike.

Full Summary: The war has the Weasley's worried about poor little Ginny. After checking her resources McGonagall claims she has the best caretaker for Ginny. Too bad it turns out to be Narcissa Malfoy. While at Malfoy Manor Ginny faces growing up, a strict regiment and Draco on a day-to-day basis. Can Ginny and Draco brave the unknowns of friendship? Will the buds of relationship form? What will Harry do when he finds out that only Ginny holds the key to defeating Voldemort?

Pairings: Draco/Ginny (I guess this sort of answers the "buds of relationship" question in the summary, huh?)

Rating: Eventually M, but pace yourself. (I will give fare warning of the chapters which that rating applies.)

Chapter Note: Some of you have shown concerns over Ginny rolling over and taking the whole break up thing pretty well. Yes, she's only spent the last six days getting over the whole ordeal but this is a testament to how Ginny has changed as a person. She would normally burst into a bat-bogey-hexing ball of flames, but instead she's trying to "make the best out of the situation" by convincing herself that she's over him (which of course she's not). She's relying on her survival to get her through, the need to carry on, all that other junk. This chapter will explain a lot.

Author's Note: I have tried most adamantly to get this story on FIA but it proves a failure every time. It could be my e-mail address or it could be that the admins are busy with other things but I will continue trying, I promise. I love FIA and it would be an honor in my eyes to be featured on that site.

Chapter Nineteen: Shop Around

Draco hissed in the cold of his cell. It wasn't a room anymore; this training facility had long since become a prison to him. It was unnecessary now. He was far too powerful to need to be there, but it would be awfully rude to excuse him the last few months just because he was stronger, smarter, faster, and more manipulative than all of the other fresh recruits. He bent his head down and massaged his arm lightly where he had been prepped for the Dark Mark.

They had burnt his arm, scarred it for life so he wouldn't be vain enough to refuse the mark. As if he would. No one in their right mind bold facedly defied the Dark Lord.

Draco felt the muscles in his hand twitch and then seize with strain. He flexed his fingers robotically, used to this by now. The curses that had been laid on him were much worse than usual. He smiled bitterly. He supposed he deserved them. His smile fell as memories flooded his mind. Raging, growling, he stood and with a burst of wandless magic made his bed explode. His pitiful excuse for sleeping arrangements lay in splinters around his room.

They wouldn't repair it for him and he didn't bother to do it either. He would sleep on the floor.

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Ginny had spent roughly five days at the Burrow and each day had been just as precious as the one that had come before it. The first day she had arrived, she'd seen Ron, Hermione, Harry, Fred, and George as well as her parents. She'd been immensely relieved to see them all in good health and relatively good spirits. She had to admit though, when it came to her parents, they could lighten up a room like they weren't pretending to be dead in the middle of a war.

Ron had provided her with the correct dosage of brotherly over-protectiveness that she had craved while she was in a way, an only child at the Manor. Fred and George had been so tightly wound with excitement that while they spoke there was no hope of her thoughts drifting to less joyous news. Hermione hadn't asked her probing questions but gave her those knowing looks that said if Ginny needed, she was there.

And Harry had been decidedly less depressed than he had ever been. Her first day home had been a complete success in her eyes.

The second day proved a surprise. With Snape's visit, Ginny felt like a void had been filled. She knew he was alive, knew he was still fighting the good fight, and knew that he still had a soft enough spot in his greasy, cold heart for her that she could actually cause him to twitch (the closest he came to a smile).

The third day she was able to spend mostly with her mother and, although it was out of the usual, Ginny shed a few tears at night that day thinking about how happy she was that her mother was Molly Weasley. She had never been fully aware how dependent she was on the love and care that she got from her mother until she had been away from home for so long.

The fourth day she and her father sat in the front room and read together. Their relationship was unique in that they bonded over silence instead of conversation, like she and her mother did. When the flames in the fireplace died to a few sparks and cracks from the logs, they set their books aside. They had then indulged conversation and had talked about so much. She had gone over in review her time at the Manor and for once, her father told her about how the war was actually going.

He told her that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had stopped by frequently for a time, and then left again. They'd even gone back up to the school. Ginny asked why but he didn't know. She was relieved to learn that they were still pursuing the end of Voldemort. She loved the Manor, she loved Narcissa, but she just didn't love the condescending company they had to entertain in order to keep up appearances.

Then on her fifth day, she packed up, ate a last breakfast with her parents who both cried, and was apparated away with McGonagall.

With a sigh she rolled over on her bed thinking about the week she'd had at home as compared to her return to the Manor.

When she returned to the Manor she was informed that everyone was gone. Lucius had taken Laurent somewhere, Narcissa and Claire had disappeared into the world of society and Ginny was left to herself in the Manor. She had gone down to the garden, messed around in the dirt to find that the house elves had kept up with the weeds while she'd been away, explored the library, walked nearly all the floors, and finally decided to try to go to sleep.

The sun was still out, but it had already started to brush the horizon with light. She drew her bottom lip in between her teeth and adjusted her head so it rested atop her pillow that covered her arm. Closing her eyes, she let a wave of relief sweep over her. For some reason she could not explain, she felt safer here at the Manor than she did with her parents at Grimmauld Place. She figured it was probably because Grimmauld Place was so close to the war and it seemed the Manor was so far removed from it.

No matter how many times she had tried to imagine the politics that ran about the ballroom company, she had never once seen those sorts of conversations in action. Could it be that they were just very well hidden? Or were the balls an escape from all the politics?

Rolling over again, settling, she drifted off to sleep.

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The next morning Ginny felt the waking world slip its grasp around her. She could tell by the way her skin was covered that she had fallen asleep the night before without changing out of her day clothes. Frowning, she opened her eyes slowly, the sunlight casting beams of yellow on the wall opposite of the window. She was glad to wake up facing the wall, maybe she wouldn't suffer from temporary blindness looking out her bedroom window.

Sitting up she threw her legs over the side of the bed and saw a familiar crisp parchment rolled up and on her bedside table. Reaching for it, she yawned and pushed her arms into the air, stretching, before putting the parchment on her lap and reading it.

Ginevra,

I'm sorry I couldn't be home for your arrival but Claire had to attend to some business and needed my help last minute. I hope your time at home went well. Remember, if Lucius asks you went to America for me to retrieve some medicine. He can't know that your parents have survived. I'm sorry this is so difficult for you.

Today I thought it would be nice if you and I spent some time in the gardens with Claire and Laurent. I'd very much like you to show Claire your gardens, she'd be fascinated with all the hard work you've put into it. Lucius will be away so it will be the four of us for lunch and dinner, but tomorrow night he's having some important friends over. I'll explain further during our lessons today.

I hope you didn't go to sleep hungry last night, I didn't see you for dinner. Please try to make it for breakfast so I know you're eating, anorexia is so unbecoming you know.

-Narcissa

Ginny grinned at the note and set it on the mattress beside her. Narcissa was unique in the way she showed concern. She wasn't outlandish and public about it like Molly Weasley but she wasn't silent and subtle in the way Arthur Weasley was, no, Narcissa had a way all of her own.

Standing, she gathered up the outfit she'd want to wear for the day, a navy darted blouse, brown riding slacks, and brown knee-high boots. As she showered a thought occurred to her. She was actually looking forward to seeing Laurent and Claire. Since the breakup she hadn't particularly been one for company but since her visit home, her spirits had raised considerably. Could it be that she was finally working through her unrequited feelings for Draco?

Intrigued and excited about not repeating the same mistake with Draco like she had Harry, Ginny took extra care that day to make herself presentable. She didn't feel the stabs of guilt when she looked in the mirror and noticed she was rather attractive with her hair half up, she didn't feel the drop in her stomach when she saw certain things Draco had once spoken of, in fact, she realized with slightly audible gasp that she hadn't really thought of Draco Malfoy for slightly more than thirty six hours.

Although she missed him dearly, and everything he stood for in their relationship, she was seeing that if he wanted to be with someone else, she wouldn't interfere. In fact, she wouldn't do anything. She'd let him be who he wanted to be, Death Eater or no, let him date who he wanted to date, and would return what kindness he showed her with the dignity and manner Narcissa had taught her. With a defiant nod, she grabbed up her brown headband and set it on her head before exiting the room and making her way to the dining room for breakfast.

She stepped into the room and was greeted by Laurent who was inspecting a painting hanging on the wall at the other end of the room. "Good morning Ginevra!" He exclaimed, his French accent making her smile. He clasped his hands behind his back and walked over to her. "And how was this America?" He asked, winking. For a moment she was confused as to what he was insinuating but then remembered that she had clued him in on her cover up for going home.

Her smile spread across her face and for a moment she thought she hadn't smiled like that in a while. "Oh it was wonderful, I really couldn't have asked for anything better." She passed the few minutes before Narcissa and Claire arrived having conversation with Laurent, then they all sat at the table and ate.

Breakfast flew by and soon they were outside, Ginny elbow-deep in soil explaining to Claire the finer properties of 'blood meal' and the importance of right lighting.

"It is amazing how much you have learned about these gardens, Ginevra." Claire was shaking her head with a smile on her lips. "And they are all absolutely beautiful."

Ginny smiled as the woman cooed over the blooming floras surrounding them. "I had time on my hands after class and idle hands are often the leading cause of ignorance as my mother used to say…" Ginny trailed off, biting her bottom lip.

Before she could become completely engrossed in panic, thinking that her comment on her mother had somehow proven she had gone to see them, Narcissa cleared her throat. "She was a pleasant woman. I'm sorry we lost her." Ginny nodded and turned away, feigning sadness but feeling her chest release the uneasy tension it once bore. She had to be more careful! She'd become lax in her thoughts while she was at Grimmauld Place, not needing to keep up a façade day and night for safety. Now she had to go back to being an adopted orphan.

"A pity, she sounds like a remarkable woman. Especially if she could raise such a bright young lady." Claire added sweetly and sipped at her tea. Soon Claire and Narcissa excused themselves to go inside and talk privately and Laurent offered to help Ginny with finishing up her chores in the garden.

Grateful for the help, though she loved to do the chores sometimes they could get overwhelming now that her gardens had grown to three times their original size, Ginny instructed Laurent on how to check the soil for moisture and to sprinkle the fertilizer. Laurent completed his task sooner than Ginny thought, taking less than thirty minutes to do the sizable amount of botany. She had been so preoccupied with inspecting curious patterns on the petals of her flowers, "Must be those blasted worms again…", that she didn't notice Laurent come up behind her.

"Regarder hors!" He shouted, placing his palms flat against her cheeks from behind her, mud smearing against her skin. Ginny blinked for a moment, shocked that he snuck up so quietly then immediately burst into a fit of giggles.

"Laurent! How sneaky!" And with that she began picking up dirt from nearby and tossing it by the fistfuls at him. In no time at all both were a tone of brown and dirty from head to toe. Still chuckling, and slightly breathless, Ginny pulled out her wand and cleaned them both up. "Better not give Narcissa or Claire reason to think we can't be left alone without destroying things."

"Claire knows me far too well to expect something different." Laurent dismissed smoothly, smiling broadly in the setting sunlight. "I think that is the most fun I've had in a very long time. I must thank you for not being offended by my trick."

Ginny laughed and sat down beside him, admiring the way the colors of her garden glowed with the sun behind them, as if they were lights and someone had just flipped the switch. "Six brothers remember?"

"Ah, yes, I underestimate you." He paused for a moment, considering something and looking away. "I had meant to ask, but I did not want to pry…" He trailed off.

"What is it, Ren?" Ginny pressed, curious of what he could be wondering about.

"Do you feel better now? That you had gone home I mean? I know you were very sad about this break up you went through. I wanted to know how you were doing." His eyes met hers and for a brief moment Ginny saw something pass behind them, like shadows against a mirror, but they were gone too quickly to be sure.

Ginny shrugged. "We hadn't been together for a very long time. I mean, in a way we had. I'd grown up with him practically. I'd never thought about it before like that until I came here but despite being in different houses at school and different years, I saw him everywhere. He was a constant in my life. While I was here we had a chance to become closer and when we did it was like I had been given this opportunity to read the translated version of a very popular book no one else could read."

Laurent nodded as if he understood, smiling. "It is amazing what time can do to change your mind."

Ginny sighed. "How right you are. I guess the hardest part of the breakup was how sudden it was. You know, Draco was a very private person and wouldn't divulge his life secrets to just anybody. It seems so strange to me that he would just breakup with me right after sharing so much. It doesn't make sense."

"Ah, but remember what I said? It is amazing what time can do to change your mind. He was in a different place than here, facing different circumstances. I do not mean to be offensive but when you put two people together alone, no matter how big the house, they will always come together like magnets. It is inevitable. Human nature. We like to share our lives even if we do it in the most inconspicuous ways."

Ginny felt a knot form in her gut. Had Draco only been interested in her because they were the only two people in the house close in age? Was it a matter of location and proximity, not likenesses that drew them together? Did she even love him? What if her feelings were a farce as well? No, they couldn't be. Or they'd have gone away just like his had. But she still felt the desire to be around him, to have hold her…

She had to stop thinking about things like that. She had promised herself that she would get over him, and get over him she would. Regardless of how many times her pace slowed as she crossed in front of the hallway to his door, despite how many times she remembered what it felt like to have him fly her around on his broom, and most of no matter how little she wanted to. Maybe Draco really was just tricked into caring for her by circumstance, but she couldn't say the same for herself.

"Ginevra?"

Ginny shook her head, snapping back to reality. "Sorry, I was just thinking."

"I didn't want to offend you." Laurent's features quickly changed to a concerned frown. "I didn't want to upset you. I could be wrong, I should be. There's no reason he wouldn't like you. You are in fact very beautiful and smart, you're funny. There's nothing he wouldn't like about you."

Ginny smiled, patting his arm lightly. "Don't worry, I just thought you had a plausible explanation. I'm not upset, I was just considering. Sometimes it's nice to have a lot of different reasons to choose from for why things happen."

Laurent nodded, seemingly swayed that he had not caused for some reason a rift in their budding friendship. They changed the subject and talked a bit more until it was nearly dark out. They bid farewell to prepare for dinner and Ginny decided she'd take another shower even though there wasn't a speck of dirt on her. It was the principle of the thing, she reasoned. As she turned on the water and let it warm up, she began undressing.

It would've been a perfect time to go over her conversation with Laurent, to realize that most of what he said might have had a double meaning, but she knew she was just being paranoid. Maybe, she ventured… No. It was too soon to think about shacking up with another boy.

It wouldn't be shacking up, what a terrible phrase.

Well it's still too soon anyway, it's only been what, a week since Draco dumped me?

More than enough time to cope with the fact that Draco's blind to my worth. Like Ren said, if he can't see all the amazing qualities I have he doesn't deserve me.

But what about my sneaking suspicions that Draco didn't initiate the whole break up? What if Lucius really is behind all this?

Occam's Razor, dear. Simplest solution is most often correct.

Lucius can be an outstandingly simple solution to all of this. He is, in fact, the spawn of Satan.

And Voldemort would be what then?

Satan, duh. I can't forget what Snape said, Lucius controls this house with his web of deceit, lies, and manipulative cunning. He has control over everything.

Would Laurent even be interested in me?

Well, he did compliment me quite a bit back there. That wasn't exactly subtle. Maybe if I just flirted a bit to see…

But it's too soon… Or is it?

Grunting in frustration, Ginny jumped in the shower and nearly scalded herself before adjusting the temperature of the water. Her thoughts drifting back to a possible relationship, she was blissfully unaware that she had accidentally named Draco while talking to Laurent. What was even more curious was that Laurent didn't even seem surprised.

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Dinner the next day had barely been endurable to Ginny. It turned out the guests were Antonin Dolohov and Rookwood (whom Ginny had seen quite enough for her lifetime). What made dinner all the more miserable was that Dolohov felt it necessary to apologize to Ginny for killing her uncles and hurting Hermione in the Department of Mysteries. There had been an odd silence as the realization that Ginny had in fact been there and fighting for Harry Potter set in at the table. Claire had made some noncommittal comment about the food and changed the subject, at which Ginny nearly dropped to the ground and kissed the woman's feet.

Afterwards Dolohov even had the gall to slap her on the shoulder and tell her she was forgiven because now she was a Malfoy. She thought he'd even brought up making her a Death Eater but couldn't be sure, he'd said some sort of phrase like "always looking for powerful young witches" but Lucius had cleared his throat which ended that conversation. Ginny had politely excused herself, Laurent saying he'd have to be excused as well, and the two of them escaped to the gardens.

"I don't know how many awkward dinner table conversations I can have before I go bloody insane." Ginny grumbled, collapsing on a bench nearby. She covered her face in her hands, elbows poised on her knees as she practically doubled over in mental exhaustion.

Chuckling beside her, Laurent seated himself and crossed one leg so his ankle rested on the opposite knee. "Poor Ginevra, you were the unlucky target tonight." He patted her shoulder affectionately before stretching catlike with a yawn. "It is amazing how long they can all talk about things that don't mean anything." He muttered, resting his arms across the back of the bench.

"I never even knew Dolohov knew a thing about Quidditch in the first place!" Ginny exclaimed, looking over at Laurent and smiling feebly. With a smile in her direction, Laurent just shook his head. They sat in silence for a few moments before heading up to their rooms.

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"Ginevra must you really embarrass me so!" Claire dusted her hands off. "I must go home now and re-staff my gardeners! They obviously know too little about flowers! I must have you recommend to me someone who is as wonderful as you!" The woman smiled and patted Ginny on the back before going inside to join Narcissa for tea. Claire had shadowed Ginny for the past month every time she went out to the gardens.

Ginny would pour soil over the roots and receive a hum in agreement, or she would do something entirely out of the ordinary and Claire would coo in curiosity. They would follow up each time with Ginny explaining ever move she had made and Claire would have a quill dictating ver batim everything Ginny had said.

Shaking her head with laughter, Ginny pushed herself off of her knees and stood, marveling at the manner in which her garden had flourished. It had started as a small plot beside the shed and now she had an entire section of the garden to herself. She had taken pictures to her mother when she'd visited, who of course couldn't stop talking about how proud she was of her little Ginny.

With a sigh Ginny made her way back inside to get ready for dinner. She'd had to keep herself occupied that day since Laurent was away with Lucius for some sort of business. Claire had tried explaining it but it all boiled down to Gringotts, accounts, and international commerce with different Ministries. With Lucius' ties in the Ministry he was an important contact and it made as much sense for Laurent to be seen with Lucius as it did to have toast for breakfast.

With a strong rumbling, Ginny's stomach reminded her just how hungry she was and just how long it had been since lunch. Laurent would be back for dinner (sadly, so would Lucius) and although she was starving, Ginny had slowly come to care about how Laurent viewed her.

She'd confessed this to Narcissa who smiled sadly but agreed. "You can't carry your heart around for one man, Ginevra, you must – for lack of a better phrase – shop around." Narcissa had said.

Ginny still felt guilty about being attracted to Laurent but had to remind herself, Lucius or no, she was under the impression that Draco had moved on and should he come home and prove her wrong… well… those were thoughts for a different day. She couldn't fool herself into hoping that Draco would come home and tell her it was all a farce. She couldn't fool herself into thinking that he'd walk through the door and everything would be all right again.

No, she had to pick up the pieces she had and march on.

After showering, she changed into her now favorite dress, a blue strapless number that was tight beneath her bust and fell straight to her knees. What she liked so much about it was that the blue was an iridescent shimmering blue that could almost be silver and it looked marvelous with her hair.

Clasping a silver chain around her neck and sliding a silver bangle over her wrist, she made her way to the dining room.

She had a time with her hair, wanting to leave it down but conceding to what was among the very few of her bad hair days, she simply tied it off to the side and let it hang over her shoulder. As she approached the door she heard the familiar dull rumble of Laurent's voice and couldn't help the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She supposed if she wasn't entirely too used to a British accent she could say she fell for accents, but as it was Laurent's was the only accent she wasn't accustomed to.

Pushing open the door she saw Laurent and Lucius speaking together only a few paces from the door and Narcissa and Claire entertaining each other with a story that made Claire chuckled and Narcissa blush slightly. Turning her head slightly, to nonchalantly check the time, oh thank Merlin I'm not late, everyone's just here early, she turned to Lucius and Laurent. Lucius greeted her like he always did, with a bow of his head and a "good evening Ginevra." Ginny still struggled with this.

She wasn't entirely sure when it had started but sometime after Blaise had practically attacked her outside of the Valentine's dance Lucius had stopped treating her like she was a stranger in his house and instead like she was a guest. Although she was feeling slightly better about not having a target painted on her back, she was still concerned after hearing what Severus had told her. If Lucius had somehow gotten used to her, did that mean he had a plan for her?

Laurent distracted her with one of his patented smiles and she nodded in return, saying good evening to them both before joining Narcissa and Claire. After a few minutes of mingling, which Narcissa said were absolutely necessary, they all sat down and had dinner. Laurent and Lucius did their best to fill in what gaps Claire had about their business going-ons that day but even Ginny couldn't keep up.

Narcissa explained that the Parkinsons were expected the following week and that Claire had requested Ginny's help in designing the gardens at her French home. Ginny, unaware of his, turned to Claire with wide, excited eyes.

"Really?"

Claire smiled and nodded her head slightly. "I find I need someone of expertise and what is the best master but experience? I do not need another person to tell me what two colors would look good together I need to know that they can grow together, no?"

Ginny and Claire immediately dove into a botany centered conversation before Laurent held up his hands in earnest. "Please, I love this talk of beautiful flowers but I think the next bite I take may taste of dirt you are talking so much of it!" The table erupted into a small fit of giggles, Lucius tried to smile, and the conversation turned more towards scheduling events and the summer ball that would be coming up in two months.

Ginny's head grew heavy as she realized that it was, in fact, the first of April which meant that there were only two months left until both the ball and Draco's return. Cheeks heating up, her heart raced. How could she possibly have forgotten? Had it really been a whole month since she'd gone home to see her parents?

"Ginevra?"

Ginny's head snapped up from her pork chops at the mention of her name. Everyone at the table was focused on her. Quickly fumbling for something to save her from certain reprimand she smiled and blushed. "I'm sorry I was thinking of what would happen if snapping hedges were put next to dragon's breath."

Laurent laughed and patted her hand. "Oh, Ginevra, always thinking of the flowers."

Claire chuckled but Narcissa's eyes said she knew what was on Ginny's mind. Claire repeated her question and Ginny did her best to answer it, whether or not it would be best to match soils throughout or change them depending on the plants in the plots.

Dinner ended and they all parted ways, Ginny quick to the door to relieve herself of her thoughts in the shower. How could she have been so careless? Was Draco going to start flooding her thoughts once more? She was halfway down the hallway when a voice called after her.

"Ginevra!"

Ginny turned as Laurent left the dining room behind her, closing the door and walking up beside her. "Are you all right?"

Ginny smiled and slowed her pace. "Yes, I'm fine. I just hadn't realized how long I spent outside today and I'm a little tired. I love the sun but it isn't always healthy I suppose." She blushed and tried to find a reason to get rid of Laurent. She felt so wrong being so close to him.

"You do look red." He agreed, touching his rough thumb to her cheek. Her heart beat loudly in her chest and she was sure he could hear it. Blinking, she nodded and couldn't find anything to say so opted for silence. "I hope you feel better. I was hoping you could show me your nocturnal flowers tonight."

What a fool! You forgot all about that! Think, stupid girl, think of something to tell him!

Oh but I don't want to offend him, I really did want to show him those flowers.

It doesn't matter! You should feel terrible for forgetting Draco and shouldn't be spending even more time working on forgetting him!

What is this, penance?

"I'll have to see how I feel after I take a shower. I'm sure I'll be able to but I don't want to make a promise I can't keep." She explained, feeling that she had spoken honestly enough.

Laurent nodded and stopped as they reached her door. "Thank you for walking me." She nodded to her door and went for the doorknob.

"Ginevra," Laurent began and Ginny froze.

She could feel it coming, like a wave about to break on the shore.

"Yes?"

And there it was. That look in his eyes that Ginny couldn't find an explanation for. It was there, swimming like sharks in the ocean as his hand took her cheek that was too red for its own good, as he focused too intently on her parted lips, as he kissed her and she didn't stop him but didn't kiss back.

It only took her a few seconds before she snapped back to reality and cursed herself both for not stopping the kiss and not reacting at all. "I've got to go." She blurted out before moving at the speed of light through her door and shutting it swiftly behind her, locking it. She sprinted for her shower and turned the water on as cold as possible before stripping and diving in.

After sobering up she turned the temperature to warm and waited until her shivers subsided before she started thinking.

He'd kissed her. He'd kissed her like Draco had kissed her but it was more. She couldn't figure out if it was in a good way but it was like an unfinished sentence, something with a "dot dot dot" at the end that made you wonder what was on the other side.

Swallowing harshly she began to clean herself, running through every possible way that she could have responded to that kiss besides standing their like a manikin.

Was it wrong?

No, it wasn't wrong. He initiated it, not me. I just… well… I just really, really wanted to kiss back.

But I didn't.

Because of Draco.

Because of the Draco who wrote to me and told me he didn't love me anymore and couldn't continue on in the farce of a relationship we had.

Is that why I didn't kiss Laurent back? Because of someone I could love but who doesn't love me back? That's not a good enough reason! Stupid, stupid girl!

But what about Lucius? What about the way that he controls everything? What about the way he controls Draco and how he could be behind it all? I don't know quite how he would've managed to mess up my life like that but I wouldn't dare put it past him, I'm smarter than that.

So why did I want to kiss Laurent so much?

Is Lucius behind what happened with Draco and I?

Foolish, stupid, idiotic girl!

She tossed her washcloth across the shower. Sighing she crouched down, bum on her heels and arms around her knees. Her red hair draped around her like a curtain as she waited for her answer. What should she do? How should she act? Laurent was clearly ready to see what kind of feelings they had for each other and all history with Draco aside, she was ready to do that with Laurent.

But was Laurent worth forgoing trying to get Draco back?

Well, that was void anyways. She wasn't going to try and get Draco back in the first place. He was going to show up at the Manor and either it had all been a mix up in which case she'd have to deal with being a terribly mean person and letting Laurent know they were over… or Draco would show up and the letter would have been legitimate and she and Laurent could continue on with whatever they were at that point.

"For lack of a better phrase – shop around."

Yes. She should. And she would.

Standing, she turned off the water and threw her hair into a towel. She quickly dried herself off, her cheeks burning and her stomach in knots. Was she really going to do what she had in her mind to do?

She grabbed up her nightclothes, a pair of short shorts and a tank top, and used a fast drying spell on her hair. Grabbing her door knob she turned it and made her way as quickly as she could down the hallway without alerting any of the other guests of her outing. She stopped outside Laurent's door and paused, collecting her nerves. Raising her fist she left one sound knock on the door, "Laurent?"

Seconds ticked by which felt like hours and she turned down the hallway. All right then, she'd try some other time. Or maybe this was fate telling her it wasn't meant to be.

Oh bollocks on fate.

"Ginevra?"

Turning she looked up into the deep eyes of Laurent and for a moment all they did was look at each other. Taking a deep breath she stood up on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck and with a fleeting thought at to how familiar this felt, pressed her lips to his.

This kiss was nothing like the other kiss for Laurent did not stand their stupidly like she had, but instead wrapped his arms around her waist. She couldn't help but note how muscular they were, how shirtless he was, how wonderful he looked with his hair tousled just so and how beautifully their bodies fit together. It was a long while before they parted and Laurent was able to remove his hand from her rear and she was able to untangle her fingers from his hair.

She was pleased to see that he looked about as blushed as she must have been. The grandfather clock that kept everyone abreast of what time it was sounded that eleven o'clock at night had come. Laurent smile and pressed a gentler kissed to Ginny's swollen lips. "Let me get a shirt and I'll walk you to your room." Ginny nodded and waited in the hall for someone who, she could tell, would help her get over this mess she had with Draco.

And he was a damn good kisser too.