Before Ginny could reply, the handsome owl had flown out her window and into the early morning sky. "Figures Malfoy wouldn't wait for a reply," she thought wryly and Apparated to Mariana and Rudolfo's townhouse – her new crystal bowl in tow.
The townhouse was a magnificent mid 19th century brownstone. It had 4 floors, magnificent floor to ceiling windows, original moldings, and everything from a basement to a backyard. In short, it was Ginny's dream house. But as she could not currently afford such an extravagant house - and lets face it, she didn't need the space - she was just happy to have been the one chosen to decorate it.
From the exterior, the brownstone showed no signs of a renovation taking place, but once Ginny stepped through the front door, the familiar hustle and bustle of a construction site welcomed her.
Wandering through the house in search of Mariana, Ginny wound up bumping into her old housemate, Seamus Finnigan, architect of the project.
Since leaving Hogwarts, Seamus Finnigan had founded his own architecture firm, which was now one of the most prestigious in England. His success is in part due to his unique style; his works were not simply walls and a roof over you head, no, a Finnigan original made you feel as though you were living in a piece of sculpture. There really was no other way to describe it.
"Ginny!" He called out, glad to have found her, "I just heard about the construction delay and came out here for a stern word to the builders. They're blaming it on the late shipment of materials, but agreed to work twice as fast to make up for lost time. So I'm sorry, I know you can't get started once all this," gesturing around him, "is gone."
"Oh, no problem, don't worry about it, Seamus," Ginny said with a dismissing hand wave. "Mariana and Rudolfo are still having difficulty seeing eye to eye, so even with all this", mimicking his gesture around their surroundings, "gone, I still won't get started for another week at least."
Seamus seemed to ease the tension in his shoulders as Ginny spoke, but before he could relax too much, Ginny started again in an accusatory tone.
"But more importantly, where were you on Saturday? I'd been counting on you to be at the Life party! I spent the first half of it drinking alone, and the second half of it in the company of Draco Malfoy." Ginny neglected to point out that she had in fact enjoyed Draco's company, as she was trying to guilt Seamus for leaving her alone. At least for the first half of the party.
"Malfoy was there? What was he doing there?" Seamus asked, surprised. At the mention of Draco's name, there was a flicker of jealousy in Seamus' eye, but in an instant it was replaced with a charming smile. "Sorry, Gin, I got called away to Paris at the last minute for a project, otherwise you know I would've been there. I guess I'll have to make it up by taking you to dinner then."
Ginny returned the smile and said, "Guess you will,"
"It's a date. Tonight then, 8 o'clock? I'll pick you up."
"Great," she said, just as someone called Seamus' name, flashing Ginny another smile and leaving her with a giddy smile on her face.
She mentally shook herself and went to find Mariana, though still unable to compose herself fully – she was still wearing a big silly grin - when she found her.
"Ginny, there you are. My, aren't you having a wonderful morning? I wish I could say the same about mine, these delays sure are making a right mess of everything. Anyway, what has you to happy this morning? You must tell me everything."
Mariana Kingston was a tall forty-something woman who always held herself with grace. She always dressed in the most fashionable clothes, and had one of the most easy-going personalities Ginny knew. She could strike up a conversation about anything with anyone, and was somewhat of a mother figure to Ginny. But as Ginny hated talking about her love life to anyone (it was her love life after all), she deflected the question. She had been hoping for a date with Seamus for a while now, and wasn't going to let anything get in the way of it.
"I was just excited to show you this gorgeous crystal bowl I found at Stonehouse yesterday," handing the wrapped package to Mariana, "I know we still haven't picked out furniture, let alone accents for any of the rooms, but I couldn't resist when I saw this bowl, and I just knew it wouldn't last long."
Mariana gasped as she laid her eyes on the bowl, glittering lights dancing on its multi-faceted surface, "Ginny, this is amazing! I still have no idea how you're able to find such amazing items, and you do have such great taste. Thank you, darling!"
"Well I'm glad you like it,"
"I do. I absolutely love it," Mariana said with grin almost as wide as Ginny's. Almost.
##
At 5:15 that evening, Ginny walked into Calabria to find Draco tapping his foot impatiently at their previous table, with 2 slices of the decadent chocolate cake in front of him. And a coffee mug.
"You're late Weasley,"
"Well its nice to see you too Malfoy. Tell me, how was your day?"
"I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up," Draco stated, choosing not to answer her question.
"We can't all be CEO's of Malfoy Inc. and turn up to work and leave whenever we want to."
"I'll have you know what I am at work before half the office has even arrived. And as for leaving early, well, who the hell's gonna stop me?" smirked Draco.
Ginny rolled her eyes and picked up a slice of cake, "For me? Thanks. Though you better finish yours because I am not eating two slices of cake tonight."
"Oh don't worry, I'll finish it. Though if you're not careful I might just eat yours too."
Ginny snorted and mumbled "Fat chance," as she took another bite.
##
"So what do you want to know about Rudolfo?"
"Everything. While I do love the cat and mouse game, I'd like it to end in the foreseeable future."
"Well from your stunt on Saturday night, I'd say you're already well on your way. Needless to say there isn't a shortage of companies who'd like do to business with him, and all who would make great investments. But the ones he chooses, are ones for a cause he supports, or run by people he supports."
Draco looked considerably more interested in the conversation now, he had expected to tiptoe around the topic with pointless small talk before getting down to business.
"He knows how influential he can be," Ginny continued, "So he likes to have the personal connection. And while getting personally involved may not sound like a great business strategy, he's Rudolfo Kingston. He can do whatever the fuck he wants."
"So in short, I have to make him like me," Draco asked with his eyebrows raised.
"Well yes, and no. I know how manipulative you can be Malfoy, actually all Slytherins are manipulative. Or, wait, I'm sorry, you prefer cunning," Ginny added when Draco opened his mouth to interrupt. "But Rudolfo can spot deceit from a mile away. To this day I've never been able to lie to the man."
Draco looked to be deep in thought, carefully taking her advice into consideration. He was thankful he had not yet resorted to his more, dirtier tricks, shall we say.
"Rudolfo pays attention to the littlest details about everything and everyone, and he appreciates the trait in others. So don't overlook the details, and be genuine. Rudolfo seems to already like you, so you're on the right track."
"I'm guessing that's why you're helping me then? You wouldn't go around telling the man's secrets to just anyone now would you?"
Ginny nodded, "Though I am glad he was at the office today, because honestly Malfoy, I still have no idea what I'd say about you if he asks."
Malfoy said nothing and smirked. Though the smirk really said all there was to say.
##
"There. Finished. All gone," Draco said as he dropped his fork on the plate.
"Well, I have to say, I didn't think you had it in you." Ginny said, when her stomach suddenly rumbled.
"You're hungry already? After that gigantic piece of cake?" Draco asked, astonished.
"I finished mine earlier than you. What time is it by the way?"
They had lost track of time, which seemed to happen every time they talked, Ginny thought.
"It's 7:30."
"7:30? Shit! I have a dinner and I haven't gotten ready yet!" She said as she grabbed her bag and made to stand up.
"A dinner date?" Draco asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"Yes, a dinner date, Malfoy." Ginny replied irritably. She was late as it is and Malfoy was not letting her leave.
"Well who is the lucky guy?" he asked as he leaned back in his chair with a smirk.
"Seamus Finnigan. He's Mariana and Rudolfo's architect."
Draco smirked at the name but didn't comment. "Well, I wouldn't want to keep the man waiting, but we still have plenty of matters to discuss about Rudolfo."
"Fuck. Ummm, alright. I'm home all day Wednesdays. You can floo me anytime then and we'll finish our conversation. Thanks again for the cake," She said as she sped off for the door, not giving a chance for Malfoy to reply and leaving him alone at the table.
##
"Hi! Come in, come in. I'm running a little bit behind so if you wouldn't mind waiting just a little bit while I finish getting ready," Ginny said as she opened the door, barefooted, to a superbly dressed Seamus Finnigan.
"Evening. Sure no problem, we can be a little late for our reservation."
Ginny was frantically trying to find matching purse and shoes for the simple blue dress she was wearing. She had literally just finished putting on her makeup when Seamus rang the doorbell.
"You look amazing. And I like what you've done with the place," Seamus said with a charming smile, gesturing around the apartment as she exited her room.
"Well aren't you full of compliments tonight?" Ginny laughed, "So where are we going for dinner?"
"Seeing as I have a lot to make up for, " looking at her purposefully, to which Ginny just smiled, "I thought I'd better pull out all the stops. Including these," as he pulled out the white lilies he had hidden behind his back. In her haste, Ginny had not noticed he had kept his hand behind his back the whole time.
"I asked around and found out they're your favourite."
"They are! Thank you, Seamus," proceeding to put the blooming flowers in a vase, "But you never answered my question."
"Ah, but that is a surprise," and again he flashed her another one of his charming smiles. They always did make her melt a little every time.
##
"Chartres. You got us a reservation at Chartres," Ginny said in amazement as she stepped through the elegant restaurant. Arguably the most expensive – and booked – restaurant in wizarding London.
"My firm handled their architecture," Seamus said with a little bit of smug, "I can always get a reservation here."
"Well remind me to name-drop your name next time I want a reservation," Ginny said, still wide-eyed and taking in her surroundings through the eyes of a child in a candy store.
Seamus merely laughed as the maitre d' led them to their table.
#
A/N Since this story is about Ginny and Draco, I decided to not include Ginny's date with Seamus. Sorry this update came so late, my internet was being shit, anyway, with college starting I'm not sure how fast I'll be able to make future updates. But not for a lack of trying right?