My Fair Weasley
Chapter 5: Thrown in the Lions Den
((-))
As the music started up Ginny's grip on Blaise's hand tightened a fraction. For some reason she found herself a little nervous. Of course, she had never been to a fashion show and didn't quite know what to expect. But, that wasn't what worried her. No, it was the fact that as she looked around the room she noticed several people she actually recognized; none of whom she'd been particularly chummy with back in school. Would they recognize her? Would they treat her like they had back in school? Or would they simply not pay attention to her at all?
As it turned out, it was the latter. When the first model strutted out on stage any and all attention was on the woman blessedly relieving Ginny of her nervousness. It didn't take long for Ginny to figure out why everyone was so riveted to the woman on stage.
It was simple really; the woman demanded her attention. With every sashay of her hips, every glided, purposed foot step she commandeered the room forcing gazes her way.
"Pansy looks stunning, it's like Theo sewed it onto her," Blaise said to Draco, raising his voice enough to be heard despite the pounding music.
"Well, your little lover boy does know what he's doing. I'm in perfect agreement, Pansy does look divine." Draco agreed as he and Blaise conversed behind Ginny's head.
Startled Ginny looked from one to the other, "Wait, Pansy? You mean Pansy Parkinson, the pug faced bint that decided to make Hermione's life hell?"
Blaise gave her an odd look, "Now that's not nice, Ginevra. Pansy went through a bit of an awkward stage in school and the whole pug faced comments really hurt her feelings. As you can see now she is most definitely out of her awkward stage."
Abashed, Ginny looked back at the stage where the woman was coming to stand on the end of the runway while camera bulbs flashed incessantly. Indeed the model was none other than Pansy Parkinson, and as Blaise had said she definitely was out of her awkward stage.
Easily as tall if not taller than Ginny herself, she had all the right curves in all the right places. Unlike muggle society with their stick thin ideology of beauty, the magical world held curves in high regard. Pansy had what could be defined as a classic hour glass figure, the body lean and curvy and legs a mile long. The dress she wore hugged all those curves and was sexier than if she had been standing there stark naked. Skin tight and black, it had one long sleeve leaving the other shoulder and arm bare and clung to the top and flowed at the bottom. The train of the dress came out almost two feet in the back and the plunging V ended at the small of her back. A glittering diamond rope wound around the waist of the dress to tie off at the base of the V and trail back down; all in all it was an absolutely stunning creation.
It looked like Ginny was now going to be eating all those bad comments she'd ever uttered about Pansy.
For a moment, just a moment, all Ginny could see was the green of jealousy. The stunning woman in front of her was barley a year older, but she had herself so well put together that she could have said she owned the world and no one would have dared said she didn't. Yes, Ginny had made Master Healer status at twenty three and was one of the most prominent healers at St. Mungo's, but she couldn't help but be jealous of Pansy Parkinson. What would it take for Ginny to be that polished, that poised?
At this point she didn't think it was even possible.
As Pansy turned and made her way back down the runway, hips swaying to the pounding music, Blaise glanced at Ginny and noticed her crestfallen face. Putting his arm around her he leaned over and whispered in her ear, "There's no need to be so down. You could very easily pull off that look with your curves and look simply smashing in it."
"I doubt it," Ginny whispered barely loud enough for Blaise to hear.
If he hadn't still had his head tilted Draco wouldn't have caught her murmured self depreciating comment. After what she had shared in the hallway earlier the comment made him feel even worse. He had learned from an early age that you don't let others affect who you are and at first Ginevra Weasley seemed that she lived by the same standard. However, now that she'd confessed what she had he could see that it simply wasn't true. How many times had she been envious of her friends, her sisters-in-law?
With a sigh Draco settled himself back in his seat to watch the rest of the fashion show. At least he attempted to watch the rest of the fashion show; instead most of his thoughts were turned to the witch sitting next to him.
((-))
"Well?" Blaise asked as the lights in the ballroom came up once the last model had sashayed back down the runway.
Ginny's earlier disparaging mood had lessened considerably the longer the show went on. She had found herself rapt with attention at every model that had coursed down the runway. The beauty and brilliance of Theo's creations had baffled her and made her a little bit envious. What she would give to be able to create such amazing pieces of clothing! It wasn't that she didn't love her job, it was what she felt she was meant to do with her life and above all it was her passion; however, the flawlessness of the designs was astounding and she envied the creativity necessary to produce such items. It had always seemed to her that she lacked such artistic creativity.
"Needless to say, it was amazing," she gave Blaise's hand a squeeze. "Thank you for bringing me here. It's made me see things in a different light."
Blaise gave her a winsome smile and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Don't go thanking me just yet. Although, I will accept it on behalf of my wonderful insight in bringing you here, now if you'll excuse me I've got to make an appearance backstage. I'm sure Theo's a positive wreck worrying about how the show was received." With that he stood and made his way through the throng of people leaving the ballroom.
With a giggle Ginny leaned back in her chair, "Blaise and Theodore Nott, who would have guessed."
"You're telling me," Draco agreed leaning his elbows on his knees. "When Blaise told me they were dating last year I about had a heart attack. They were always at each other's throats. Blaise used to come back to our room ranting about how Theo was too flamboyant and a disgrace to the magical gay society." He chuckled at the memory and leaned back crossing his arms over his torso, "The fights they used to get into would shame even your rows with Lavender Brown."
Ginny laughed outright, "Really? I doubt that, Lavender and I got into some really nasty rows back in school, especially when she went after Ron. And that was just in public, it was ten times worse back in the common room. Harry and Ron used to have to literally hold me back so that I wouldn't beat her to a bloody pulp, especially after she aimed a particularly nasty comment about blood heritage at Hermione. That bint is lucky I didn't rip her limb from limb for that one."
Draco raised an eyebrow in Ginny's direction, "Isn't Lavender Brown a half-blood?"
With a snort Ginny flung her hands up, "That's just it, she is a half-blood. Not that I've ever held any animosity to people with mixed blood, it just infuriated me that Lavender thought she was so much better than Hermione. Who the hell gave her the right to call Hermione a Mudblood? I remember Hermione spent the better part of that evening in her room sobbing her eyes out."
Inwardly Draco cringed. Mudblood had been his favored insult to hurl at Hermione Granger. At the time he hadn't seen anything wrong with it, but that was ten years ago. He'd done a lot of growing up since then. "Well, some people are just too thick headed to realize that some of the things they say hurt people."
Ginny looked at him an intense yet curious look on her face, "Malfoy, are you apologizing?"
Draco scoffed, "Why ever would I do that? Malfoy's do not apologize."
Ginny snorted again.
"You've really got to stop doing that, it's completely unladylike," Draco commented.
"Stop doing what?"
Draco sighed in exasperation and rubbed a hand over his face, "Snorting, Weasley. It's completely and totally unladylike, and not to mention disturbingly reminiscent of a pig."
Ginny turned to Draco, pushed her nose up with her finger and snorted repeatedly.
"Oh, c'mon Weasley, stop," Draco asked as Ginny put her face next to his and proceeded to snort loudly in his ear.
Ginny giggled and continued her antics.
"Really, come on," Draco moved his head away willing himself not to laugh. Ginny followed him getting as close to him as possible. A laugh escaped him as she placed her face directly in front of him and snorted loudly and started coughing. "See, serves you right! That's what you get for snorting in the face of a Malfoy." With a smug smile he stuck his tongue out at her.
As Ginny controlled her coughing she pursed her lips together in a serious manner and poked him in the ribs.
With an undignified yelp Draco leapt off of his chair. An incredulous look on her face, Ginny stood up after him, "No way. The great Draco Malfoy is ticklish?!"
Straightening his shirt he collected himself and stared back at her. "I, Weasley, am in no way ticklish. Malfoy's are never ticklish."
"Well, contrary to what your particularly belief is, Malfoy," she advanced on him a step and he obliged her by taking a step back, "I think you're lying."
"Now why would I lie about something like that?" Draco backed up another step as she advanced again. It would be a cold day in the seventh layer of hell when he admitted he was ticklish to anyone much less Ginevra Weasley.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe fear of me extorting said little fact to various important peoples." Thoughtfully she tapped a finger on her chin. "You know, Ellynor Cromwell has a weekly check-up in our General Health department. Doesn't she have some holdings in Malfoy Corporation; something about running the Herbology department in your potions development center?"
Judging by the look on his face she'd hit the nail square on the head with that little bit of insight. But the flash of worry was gone in a second and was replaced by his usual smirk.
"Now, Weasley, why would I be afraid of a little thing like that?" He crossed his arms over his chest covering his most sensitive areas. "I own Malfoy Corp and should anyone use my ticklish-ness to extort me they would be dismissed immediately."
"Ha, so you really are ticklish!" Triumphantly she mimicked him, crossing her arms over her chest.
Taking in the smug smirk on her face Draco paled, "Weasley, you wouldn't dare."
"Dare what?"
Draco and Ginny both turned to find Blaise, Theo, and Pansy looking at them in confusion. Blaise had one elegant eyebrow raised as he looked at the two of them. Was it his imagination or was the sexual tension between them climbing to new heights?
Shooting a smug look Draco's way Ginny turned it into a smile as regarded Blaise, "Absolutely nothing, Blaise." She scooted past Draco making sure to nudge him in the ribs with her elbow as she did so. He twitched slightly and her smug look returned as she made her way down the small set of steps to the floor where the other three waited.
With a beseeching look Ginny gave Blaise her most innocent look. "As much as I have enjoyed this afternoon, I really would like to be getting home. If I can go now I can still manage to get at least a few more hours of freedom from this day."
"That's what you'd like to think, sorry love, but the day's not over yet." Blaise replied giving her a serious look.
Ginny's face fell; she really wasn't going to be able to get out of this. "Fine, whatever else did you have in mind?"
"We're having a private dinner, just the five of us, in celebration of Theo's marvelous success today. I took the liberty of providing you a dress and shoes, however you will be expected to fix your own hair and make up; and yes," he continued when she started to protest, "You are expected to wear make up."
Gritting her teeth she growled a little.
Blaise smiled at her while behind her Draco smirked in victory.
((-))
The dress was too short, the shoes were too tall, and her hair looked like something out of a Grimm Brothers fairy tale. Her make up was almost the only thing that met her approval and that was almost nonexistent.
Frustrated she waved her wand over her hair and it was back to its original state. This would simply have to work. If it didn't Blaise, Malfoy and the rest of them could go fuck themselves.
With one last look in the oversized mirror Ginny criticized herself again.
The emerald green dress complemented her skin in all the right ways, and the fit of the dress was just right. But, it was too short for her liking, barely hitting her mid-thigh. The shoes, which they had called gladiator heels, at four inches tall were about two inches too high and made walking in any normal fashion exceedingly difficult. She wouldn't admit it, but despite the height Ginny really did like the shoes. Her hair, now unbound curled loosely around her body in big rolling waves. It was the best they were going to get without doing it themselves. Honestly, weren't they supposed to be helping her with this?
With an aggravated sigh she shoved her wand in the sewn in pocket that was standard in most clothing created in the magical world and exited the bathroom Blaise had let her borrow to dress in. Feeling like she didn't quite belong in her own skin she made her way back through the corridor and to the grand staircase that lead to the private foyer where the private dining room was for their private dinner. Private everything seemed to be the theme for this dinner engagement. It was only one more thing to piss her off.
At the bottom of the steps Draco waited for her and it was with no small amount of trepidation that she made her way down the stairs gripping the rail tightly so she wouldn't lose her balance because of the thrice damned heels.
Draco watched as she made her way down the steps, impressed with the transformation a dress and some heels could do for the youngest Weasley. Although, her ability to walk properly in heels most definitely left something to be desired; it was yet another thing he and Blaise would have to work on with her. The outfit itself came together nicely and her hair added a wonderful compliment to the color of the dress. The short dress paired with the high heels did wonders to accentuate the already marvelous length of her legs while the fit of the bodice brought out her natural curves.
"One foot in front of the other, Weasley, and a little to the side. It will help you keep your balance when you're coming down stairs."
Ginny realized that Draco was offering a simple technique and tried her best to emulate what he'd told her. It helped her for most of the way down, however on the second to the last step her ankle turned and she fell forward.
Draco barley managed to catch her before she landed face first on the marble floor.
Ginny found herself plastered to Draco's front as he helped her find her footing. The damned heels were out to get her.
"Are you alright?" Draco asked as his arms wrapped around her a little more tightly. Maybe they shouldn't have gone with the four inch heels.
Putting pressure on her ankle hurt like hell but she said, "Fine," in reply to what she'd been asked. As Draco helped her steady she slipped her wand out and muttered a quick muscle repairing charm. Her ankle instantly felt better and she was able to stand on her own, putting distance between herself and Draco. His damned cologne was intoxicating and the faster she got away from it the better.
With an odd look Draco grabbed her elbow when she looked like she was ready to teeter over, "C'mon Weasley, dinner's about to start."
"You don't have to help me, I'm fine," Ginny stated as he led her to the door that went to the dining room.
With a long suffering sigh Draco replied, "You're right I don't. However it is considered good manners to escort one's date to dinner."
"Oh and when did I become your date?"
"Well, seeing as how Blaise and Theo are together and Pansy is a stand alone type of woman you and I are the only ones left. Thus by process of elimination we're paired together." Draco explained as he opened the door and ushered her inside.
Ginny was about to come back with a smart reply, however the dining room took away the words. The room itself was beautiful. It was done in a classic cathedral theme with a ceiling enchanted to look like that of the Sistine Chapel only alive. The lighting made everything glow with a soft haze. Ginny had thought she would be over dressed for a simply private dinner, but looking around her she saw that they had indeed picked out exactly the type of outfit for the occasion.
Theo, Blaise, and Pansy were standing on one side of the table waiting for them. Each of them assessed her with their own pre-conceived notions of beauty and style.
"Wait, before you sit down," Theo finally spoke, "Turn."
Draco stepped aside and Ginny was left standing alone while the four of them gazed at her. Fighting not to fidget under their scrutiny and managed a slow turn. When she was facing them again Theo strode forward.
"Good choice on the dress boys, the shoes work as well." He picked up a piece of her hair and examined the ends, "Good gods above, have you ever heard of a haircut? You've split ends three inches long. Are you even wearing make up?"
"You know I thought you were supposed to be helping me with this," Ginny muttered crossing her arms over her chest.
Theo smirked at her, "Part of the learning process is learning to do it all on your own. You've done alright for now, but seriously get a hair cut or something." He made his way back over to Blaise and took his beau's arm. "I came here to celebrate not give out half assed criticism on your little pet project."
Blaise laid a kiss against Theo's lips, "You're right, love. I'm sorry, but I wanted a professional opinion on this one. Her job depends on it," the last part was said motioning to Draco who was helping Ginny into her seat.
"Her job?" Pansy, who had been eaves dropping on the two, hissed quietly. "Isn't Ginevra Weasley one of the top healers in the nation? How the hell could either of you think to threaten her job?"
"Would you calm down Pansy," Blaise hissed right back. "Why should you care in the first place? Yes, she's a Master Healer, and yes her job does depend on it, but Draco was furious when he made that decision and I don't actually think he'll go through with terminating her. Now, can we sit down and eat? I'm starving."
He ushered Theo and Pansy to their seats pulling Pansy's seat out for her and sliding it under her as she sat before taking his own seat next to Theo.
As they sat waiters appeared with individual trays laden with steaming food. Ginny wasn't quite up to par on formal dinners, but she certainly didn't think they were done in this fashion. Shouldn't there be something like six courses rather than copious amounts of food served at once?
Blaise must have caught her curious look, "Yes, it's not a completely formal dinner. Normally when it's just the four of us this is how things work. Why bother with all that pomp and circumstance when you can just eat what you want now?"
Ginny gave him a small smile and proceeded with her meal as everyone around her did the same. After a few moments of silence it was Pansy who broke it.
"Why is your makeup so understated?"
Ginny looked up, her fork halfway to her mouth. "I've never been a big fan of makeup. It doesn't exactly work time wise when you're a healer."
"Surely, though, you'd want to at least dress up to go out?" Pansy replied taking a sip of her wine.
Ginny scoffed, "Go out, now that's a novel idea. Unfortunately my days off are spent doing nothing but recovering on rest. Or at least that's how they used to be. Apparently now it's spent being lugged around by two buffoons who have seen fit to upturn my nice little routine."
The other girl looked at her in something like shock, "You mean you don't go out? What about dates?"
"Dates are for people who have the luxury of time, which I don't." Ginny replied tartly.
"So you don't have a boyfriend? Or do you and you just don't have time for him?"
"Okay Parkinson, what is it with the twenty questions? No, I don't have a boyfriend. No, I don't go out. My job is my life, or it was until those two," she waved her fork at Blaise and Draco, "showed up and decided to interfere. I'm perfectly happy with the way things are now. Dating is the last thing on my mind." That was nothing but a blatant lie, not that she'd ever tell any of them that. "Now, can I please finish eating? I'd really like to get home so that I could maybe salvage at least a little of this day."
Her little outburst was met by a loud crash and a scream.
A lingering footman jumped to attention and pushed through the door that Ginny presumed led to the kitchens. After a moment the man returned.
"O'Shea, what in Cirque's name is going on?" Blaise demanded upon the other mans return.
"My lord," the man replied hurriedly, "it seems one of the maids accidentally collided with one of the boys going to dump the hot oil. Both have been badly burned. Should we floo to St. Mungo's sir?"
Ginny was on her feet in a second going to the footman, "Yes, floo the hospital and tell them Master Healer Ginevra Weasley sent you, but not until I get a good look at the patients. Take me to them."
Without a second glance at his lord the footman led her through the swinging door, down a short hallway and into the kitchens where she was met by chaos. "You, go and fetch Blaise and the rest of them, keep everyone away from this area." The footman scurried back the way he'd come. She pointed to a frightened and shaking house elf, "You, clean up this oil. I can't get anywhere near them." With a tremulous nod the house elf snapped its fingers and the oil disappeared.
Blaise and the rest of them came running into the room about that time and Ginny pointed directly at Draco. "Malfoy, I need you down here to help me. Blaise, you and your footman go and floo St. Mungo's. In the General Trauma department there's a healer named Andrew Potts tell him his Master sent you and bring him back here. Then floo to the Burn Ward and tell them to send an emergency team. If they give you shit tell them I sent you. Now go!"
Ginny pulled out her wand and knelt by the girl who lay trembling in shock. She snapped her fingers by the girl's ear. The girl didn't stop trembling nor did she seem to acknowledge the sound. Muttering a quick, "Lumos minimus," she shined the light in the girl's eyes and found they were barely dilated. This was not good.
She placed her wand tip against the girl's heart and the rapid beat became audible. "Shit," she whispered. The shock of the burns was sending her heart into tachycardia.
"What should we do? Is there anything that could make this better?"
Ginny had forgotten she'd even asked Draco to help her. "Not until the emergency crew gets here."
"Gin!"
She looked up only to see her intern Andrew run into the room. His geekily handsome face had never been a more welcome sight. "Andy, thank the gods you're here. Help me out with the other one, he's still conscious, but this one's in shock."
Ginny and Andrew continued working on both of the burn victims until the emergency crew got there. As the crew loaded them up onto the magical gurneys Ginny stopped for a moment in front of the other four. "I'm going with them; if you want you can tag along and wait in the family area. I have to get them settled and write up a quick report since I was the first healer on scene. It shouldn't take too long."
Blaise nodded, "We're coming."
"Good, follow only after I've cleared the grate then floo to the St. Mungo's Burn Ward family room." Ginny instructed pushing her hair back. She gave Blaise a small smile and because he looked so shaken up she pulled him into a quick hug. "They'll be okay. It's bad, but not too bad. They'll recover just fine." Pulling away she gave them all her best healers smile and followed after the emergency crew.
As she hurried off after the others Theo let out a low whistle, "And you're threatening her job over her bloody fashion sense?"
Draco sighed, "I'm beginning to think that was a bad idea."
((-))
"Did anybody but me realize she didn't fall once in those heels once she realized something was wrong?" Pansy commented as they waited in the family area.
Theo smiled at her, "I did happen to notice that as well. That's the way it is with a lot of women. If you take their minds off of what they're trying to concentrate on, most of the time they do it anyways without even thinking about it."
"For a gay man you're quite insightful, my dear." Pansy replied leaning her head on Theo's shoulder.
"As are most gay men," Theo smiled. "Now, would you care to tell me why you were so objective to the idea of Draco and Blaise bargaining her job over her style?"
Pansy sighed, "Do you remember when my mother had her heart attack? We were all in Tokyo for your Asian debut." Theo nodded. "Ginevra Weasley was the one who saved her life. Not only that, but according to her intern at the time she had worked three shifts straight. She'd even been ordered to go home, but mum came in and Ginevra saved her life. I've never thanked her for it."
Apparently Blaise and Draco had been eavesdropping on them because Draco let out an incredulous, "What?!"
Pansy glared at him, "Oh please, Draco, if I'd told you would it have made any difference in your stupid decision?"
Draco had the grace to look abashed.
"This is why I was so vehemently opposed to the idea of you threatening her job. Yes, her style leaves something to be desired, but she's a damned fine healer and without her my mother would be dead."
Both Draco and Blaise looked like five year old children who'd been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
"That's what I thought. I'm glad both of you are beginning to rethink your little decision." Pansy crossed her arms. "Oh look, there's Ginevra."
Indeed Ginny was standing outside the room talking with another healer. She shook his hand, smiled, and made her way into the room.
"How are they?" Blaise asked no sooner had she stepped through the door.
"Mallon should be released within the week," Ginny answered with a small smile. "Delilah however, will have to stay a bit longer. The burns on her arms and torso are severe third degree. It will take a lot of time even with magic for her to heal; not to mention rehabilitation. It'll be a long process."
Blaise shook his head, "It doesn't matter. You know money isn't an object."
Ginny sighed, "It's not the money Blaise. To keep a long story short what they need is care. They need people who love them, people who will visit with them almost daily. We've found it helps tremendously with the recovery process. Do you understand what I'm getting at?"
"Ginevra, Mallon and Delilah are valuable members of my staff. However, they are also trusted friends. Though they're younger than I am they've been members of the Zabini household since their birth. They're like younger siblings to me." Blaise ran his hands through his hair. "If I can't be here myself then I'll send their families over. Speaking of which I'm sure they're worried sick."
Theo stood and held his hand out to Pansy who took it and came to her feet. "Then we should be getting back to your place."
Blaise nodded, "Draco, could you escort Ginevra home?"
"I'm fine to go by myself, really."
"No, Ginevra, I insist. After all you've done for us today this is a small drop in the bucket for what I owe you. Give me the piece of mind knowing you're home safely." Blaise insisted.
Knowing how families of patients could be she nodded.
After the other three had left Draco escorted Ginny out of the hospital and to her apartment, walking in silence the whole way.
"How did you know exactly what to do?"
Ginny have him a small smile as she dug in her pocket for her wand. "I'm a healer, Draco, it's my job."
"You called me Draco." He pointed out with a confused look.
"Well, I've addressed Blaise by his first name almost this whole time. I've only been calling you Malfoy because you're a dick sometimes. I'll make you a deal. I'll only call you Malfoy when I'm cross with you and you only call me Weasley when I'm being particularly infuriating. Deal?" She gave him her best imitation of his smirk.
Draco actually laughed. "Alright, you have a deal."
Ginny passed her wand over the door and pushed it open.
"Ginevra?"
She turned back to find Draco looking at her oddly, "Yes?"
"You did very well today."
After such a tense, horrible, stressful day she actually flashed him a genuine smile. "Thank you, Draco."
((Chapter 5 fin))
Tachycardia is basically a fancy medical term for a rapidly increased heart rate. Tachycardia is a byproduct of shock as well as panic attacks however in ventricular tachycardia it can be a symptom of a heart attack.