Working for the Dragon

Chapter 19. Draco and The Grand Invitation

Draco's POV:

This is ridiculous! I flipped through the sales report filled with inconsistent records and errors. If I had to read another page, I'd find the person who had the audacity to construct and present the accumulated sales report to me and torture him with the Cruciatus curse.

Today, I was not at all in the mood to endure nonsense from anyone, even the almighty. I rubbed my head and sighed tiredly; suffering from migraines was absolutely terrible.

"Good morning Dra…..! Uh oh…." Ginny started to greet me enthusiastically but stopped when she saw my pained expression.

-"Migraines?" She lowered her tone considerably, still sounding cheerful. Before I could respond, I looked up to see the door of my cabin being lightly shut.

In a trace, she was back with a tray that was… piled with …. Goodness knows what.

She set the tray down quietly on the glass coffee table in my cabin.

"Come here." She gestured for me to sit down on the black leathered sofa in a no-nonsense tone.

I was far too fatigued to put up a fight like I'd usually would. Her expression deepened with concern when she realised that I was not going to protest.

"Drink this." She handed me a goblet filled with a potion specially built to combat severe headaches. It looked disgusting and tasted no better, in fact, I imagined that it matched the taste of the ordinary human waste.

I shuddered in disgust at the taste and texture of the potion. Ginny handed me another goblet, iced pumpkin juice which I gratefully accepted to get rid of the awfulness of the potion. Though nauseating, I could feel the starting effects of consuming the potent potion.

"You haven't had your breakfast." She inferred that it was a statement and not a question. She fussed over me, insisting that I eat my breakfast which she had taken out the time to bring.

I watched her appreciatively as she buttered a bagel with cream cheese. Moments like these made me thankful to have Ginny as my secretary. She was efficient, she seemed to be able to identify my moods, not to mention – she was quite easy on the eyes.

Observing her, I wondered which fool stated that pink did not suit redheads. Ginny looked pretty in a light beige-pink dress and a redundant white sweater. Her hair was pinned up in a half-ponytail.

It was amazing how well we got along now, almost as though we never had a family feud or I did not test her patience. We had our fair share of differences in opinions. She was different. Unpredictable, random, adorable, caring…. I had grown attached to her, maybe more than that.

"What are you looking at?" She grew self-conscious, touching her head and looking down at her attire to see if she had made any absent-minded mistakes.

"You look good today." I complimented her, smirking when I was greeted by a beautiful blush.

"Yeah…"She rolled her brown eyes though visibly pleased at the compliment –"Thanks."

"I only speak the truth." I shrugged.

"Anyway…."She cleared her throat, clearly changing the topic probably because she didn't want me to make her more flustered than she already was. I smiled knowing that I had the ability to affect her. I rather enjoyed it in fact.

-"Have you viewed the sales report yet? I left it on your table yesterday after…." My expression darkened, remembering the ridiculous contents of the report.

"Oh yes. I'd like you to do something for me." I casted the Summoning Charm and caught the file.

"Sure?" Ginny looked at me questioningly.

"Fire whoever came up with this piece of rubbish. And give whoever the remains." Without another word, I set fire to the file using my wand and watched as the godawful document burnt to ashes.

-"I want to see a new report within the next four hours. I'm handing temporary responsibility to you. You can get Blaise to give you the accounts."

-"Oh and thank you for the potion." I smiled at her gently. She bit her lip, deep in thought. Probably wondering how was she going to get her assigned work done.

Something that I really admired about Ginny, no matter how challenging the task was, she wouldn't complain. Not in the beginning at the very least, she would attempt till she knew it was beyond her power or understanding.

It was really too bad that we hardly had time to get to know each other more personally due to work. I'd love to get to know her both physically and mentally.

I tucked in a loose strand behind her ear and moved off.

Immersed in my work, the arrival of my best mate and half-brother, Blaise informed me that time had indeed flown by.

"Hey Draco! What's crackin?" Blaise greeted me as he walked in freely clutching a couple of envelopes. –"I brought your mail along with me. You have got quite the pile, mate."

"Always making yourself feel at home wherever you are." I replied drily, having been distracted from what I had been working on.

"You know me so well." Blaise grinned lazily as he leaned back on his chair, directly opposite me.

-"Anyway, I was bored so I read your mails." He pointedly ignored my glare before moving on. –"Boring... I was hoping to find hot love letters from your frustrated lovers but unfortunately. They are bills and this one is from the Ministry." He separated a rather fancy looking envelope from a pile of plain, official ripped ones.

Studying the familiar designs carefully, I groaned. The envelope was a rich shade of ivory with gold trimmings indicating that it was an invitation along with the typical wax seal representing the Ministry of Magic.

Most unfortunately, it was addressed to me.

"I had forgotten about this event." I admitted to Blaise. Having read the invitation many times before, I knew what was written in it. I tossed it into a corner.

"You have to go this year. I am in town and you don't even have the excuse of a conference this year. I know because I checked." Blaise explained before I had the chance to ask.

"I'll be damned if I go for this event. Cause of death: Chronic boredom. And I will personally make sure that the only physical action you get are with Dementors." I told him exasperated.

The things I did for Blaise… Just the other day, he insisted that I do him a favour so that he could get to know Mother's new secretary, Nina at the Dubloon. It worked out in my favour too though. I was under the impression that Ginny was seeing the bloody Boy who lived, Potter.

She was bloody fascinating.

"You know Dray… Dances like these can be lots of fun. Many sexy girls around to hook up with – Not that I am going to be able to do so this year." He added the last bit, looking the slightest bit disappointed.

"Why not?" I looked at him curiously. Blaise usually lived for such events.

"This year, I have a date. Nina Giovanni." He informed me, looking pleased with the prospect of dating his current conquest.

"You asked her?"

"Yeah. I have decided that I want to give this 'being serious' thing a shot. Nina is really great, I feel as though I have may have just met my match. I want to see if this will work."

"Fascinating."

-"So… Who are you going to ask to the ball, Dray?" Before this, I had been multi-tasking, not really paying Blaise much mind but at the same time, paying attention. After this, he had my complete attention.

"Now that you mention it, I haven't given that part a thought yet." I admitted thoughtfully.

"We could go through your never ending list of ex-girlfriends, Pansy, Angelique, Lola, Krystella….. Or you could just ask the girl you have in mind right now." Blaise shrugged knowingly.

I narrowed my eyes at him wondering if he had made use of Occlumency to read my thoughts.

"Common sense, Draco." He put emphasis on my name.

"She is good for you, Dray… Give her a chance. I am going to be positive here and say things will work out. She likes you, dude. A lot." Blaise said in reference to the girl on my mind right now.

Ginny Weasley.

She was unique, extraordinary in fact. Beautiful but she didn't know it, mischievous yet innocent with her way of looking at life.

"You have a thing for the redhead, ask her out." Blaise smirked, clearly reading my mind.

"You bet I will." I replied, a brilliant plan forming in my head for when she came with the report later.

Later, when I was in the midst of discussing property investments in Italy with Blaise, a soft knock had us looking away from our work.

"Am I interrupting something?"Ginny asked hesitantly, peering from the door. –"Hey Blaise!" She smiled when she noticed that Blaise had yet to leave.

I shook my head to show that she could enter.

"Done with the report?"Blaise took the file from her and flipped it open.

"That's not important. Did you fire the accountant?" I looked at her fiercely.

She bit her lips, looking pained but nodded her head. Her expression was good enough to build a small regret within me, which soon died away.

"Good. Sit down. I have something I need you to do." Blaise stood up and pulled a chair for her. I looked at Blaise expectantly for a few seconds before he realised what I was trying to do.

"Oh! Good lord! Look at the time! I have to go….." He fumbled for an excuse… -"Feed my cat!"

"I have to feed my cat!" He sounded as though he was convincing himself more than the both of us.

Before we could respond, he fled out, the door slamming after him.

Ginny looked at me questionably for an explanation.

"He doesn't have a cat, does he?"

"Clearly."

Before she could ask the reason for such a terrible excuse, I handed her a piece of parchment and my eagle-feathered quill.

"Copy down whatever I say and then once you are done, read it aloud."

"To: Miss Ginevra Mollyanne Weasley,

Draco Malfoy cordially invites you to attend the Annual Spring Ball which will be held on 6 March 2011 at ….." Ginny paused, her eyes widening when she understood what I had dictated.

I could see her eyes lit up then dim with that one moment of insecurity. She looked at me as though she expected me to crush her hopes the next minute.

"Are you serious?" Ginny finally asked, setting the quill and parchment down. It was an incomplete invitation but I am sure she understood my intentions.

"As serious as I will ever be." I replied solemnly. Her eyes grew bigger in surprise and …. Happiness?

-"So what say, Ginny? Will you be my date to the ball?" I held her hand and gazed into her innocent brown eyes.

"I…..I… I don't know what to say…."She stuttered, still stunned apparently.

"A yes will suffice." I smirked at her as blood pooled at her fair cheeks.

She nodded her head, still stupefied. For once, I was actually positive that I will enjoy the event. If I didn't, I definitely had Ginny around to make it more interesting.

Ginny's POV:

What the hell just happened? I questioned myself in doubt after I had closed the door to Draco's cabin. I could not believe my ears, everything that occurred momentarily felt like a dream. Draco had requested me to be his date to the Spring Ball. Well, he tried to, by making me compose my own invitation card – which remained incomplete.

Draco asked me out. "FINALLY!" I said aloud to myself, happy. In fact, happy didn't cover it. I was euphoric. I had dreamt of this moment for so long.

I did a little happy dance, smiling to myself; having my own little celebration in the corridor.

"Pray, do tell Ginny. Are you planning to dance like this at the ball?" Blaise interrupted my mini-dance fest with a sly grin.

At the moment, I was in too much delight to care about the fact that both Blaise and Draco had attempted to get me flustered, embarrassed within the last half hour.

"Blaise!" I acknowledged his existence and interruption with glee and a big hug.

-"I don't know what you did in there, but thank you!" I squeezed him tight.

He ruffled my hair, "I did nothing, luv. Draco deserves a special girl like you."

"I'll put in a good word for you with Channy." I promised. Blaise had been such a good friend to me. I had known him for such a short while and in that time, he had done so much.

He saved my life, my dignity, my…. Crush? Now, he got Draco to do the Unthinkable – ask me out.

"Perfect." Blaise replied smoothly, earning a smack. Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin. And a lovable one at that.

-"So tell me, are you actually going to dance like that?" He teased me, earning a mock glare.

"For your information, I am quite aware of the dances that I should know in order to attend a ball." Just not confident enough to show off my skills but Blaise could live without that little bit of information.

-"Do you know how to tango?" He twirled me and held me in such a way that I was completely off balance.

"Erm… Blaise?" I said weakly, horrified at the thought that I might have to take tango lessons. Also at the fact that I was way off my centre of gravity and one careless movement by Blaise and I will fall and my butt will kiss the ground.

He looked down at me, distracted. "Way to kill the mood, Gin. I was trying to terrify you here."

"Well, sorry if I have abominable grace." I sniffed pretentiously.

"Good luck to Draco." Blaise laughed moving out of the way as I tried to swat him.

"Go away!" I gave him the most heartbreaking pout that I could muster and turned away with my arms folded.

"Awwww. Don't be like that!" He pulled me into a hug. –"Don't worry luv, you don't have to tango. Or do anything else. Just follow Draco's lead."

I erupted into giggles before I could stop myself, "Just joking, Zabini!"

"Why you little….."

"Same to you, Blaisieboo!"

"Save a dance for me, Weasel!"

"Definitely." I waved at him as I walked on to my cabin. Today was such a beautiful day.

Everything seemed so magical, alive. The office looked extra bright as though the sun had penetrated its rays and formed a halo through the windows of the empire. It was as though time had stopped and everything was in slow motion, my cheeks ached from smiling so hard. I even smiled at Audrina when I walked by the reception.

Back in my cabin, I felt romantic; poetic almost. I had the strangest urge to write a poem about the way I felt.

Grabbing a piece of parchment, I was about to compose a poem when I remembered the last time I wrote one… I hardly think Draco would appreciate a sappy poem. Neither would I, that little romantic in me would have to remain suppressed.

Mindlessly I initialled my name thinking about the invitation to the ball. What would I wear? Would I match up to Draco's expectations?

Suddenly, someone snatched the parchment out of my hands, making me scratch myself with the sharp tip of my quill.

"Hey!" I protested, agitated.

"Ginevra Weasley… Nice signature you've got there, Gin." My best friend remarked examining the parchment, -"Ah, what is this? Ginevra Malfoy?" She said it with a sly tone.

My jaw dropped open. I seized the old parchment away from her to see it for myself. There were just scratches of my initials and my full name all over in blue ink on the old vanilla parchment.

"Channy!" I scowled at her with my arms folded across my chest.

She laughed playfully pulling me into a big, tight hug. "Congratulations silly! I'm so happy that Draco finally asked you out. God knows that you need a boyfriend and soon!"

"Out of all the reasons to be thrilled over?" I looked at her incredulously. No wonder she was my best friend. We were both weird.

"Well…" Channy ignored what I had to say…"What are you going to wear to the ball?"

I thought for a minute, mentally scanning my wardrobe. If I did not have suitable clothing to attend a tea party, a ball was way out of the question.

Besides, the last time I had to wear something relatively decent and fashionable, I borrowed clothing from Tonks and ended up looking like the redhead version of Bellatrix Lestrange.

"I know what you are thinking, Ginny. And no, we are going shopping!" She insisted.

-"Besides! I need to buy a dress too! Blaise asked me out, remember?" Channy smiled at me, excited at the prospect of attending a ball with her former crush. Or should I say current?

"I'm happy for you, Channy. Truly." I stated sincerely. –"Not to be a killjoy or anything, but aren't you and Blaise moving a little too fast?"

Other people would usually misunderstand what I had to say but not my best friend. She knew that I was only asking out of concern for her.

"I am guessing that Blaise didn't tell you why we are actually going together?" Channy adjusted her bangs while looking at her compact mirror.

"The both of you are interested in one another?" I guessed.

"Well yes but we are strictly taking things slow. I promise you, Ginny. The reason why he is taking me to the ball is so that I will be seen with someone of the male species; affluent … you know the usual. I want my trust fund back – so Blaise is posing as my fiancé and at the same time we are trying things out. Slowly." She placed emphasis on the last word.

I was surprised; it had not occurred to me that Blaise would be willing to help Channy redeem herself in front of the Giovanni's.

"He is hooked on to you!" I exclaimed before I could stop myself.

"I could only hope so." Channy smiled sheepishly.

She looked really bright today in a knee length, laced long-sleeved fandango pink dress with pointed white stilettos. A bit too flashy for my taste but it suited her just fine.

"Remember our dreams of finding the man of our dreams?" I wondered as I leaned back into my leather chair, thinking about the past.

"Wishing that they would be best friends so that the four of us could hang out together?" Channy continued, joining me in this walk down memory lane.

Back in Hogwarts, when Channy and I discussed our single statuses, we used to talk about how our Prince Charming would get along like best friends or brothers. How I would pick Channy's ring with her boyfriend for her. How she would pick my ring with mine.

And when we were finally together with them, if we were to have a terrible fight, we would sleepover at each other's place. Good old fantasies.

"I think that might just come true. I don't want to hope though." I bit my lip embracing my insecurities.

I liked Draco more than I let on. I was afraid that he would stomp over my heart like it was a carpet.

"Trust me, Ginny. I knew from the moment I set my eyes on the two of you that he likes you. You have a connection, an understanding. That's the fuel to love." She said wisely, nodding her head with a lot of enthusiasm.

Love? I whipped my head to look at her, having been examining the sole of my shoes only minutes ago.

Whoever said that I was talking about love?

Fall in love with Draco?

No, really…Draco?

Was it possible that I was in love with Draco Malfoy?

SURPRISE! I hope you like my version of Draco! Writing his POV was a REAL CHALLENGE.

Thanks you for the reviews for the previous chapter! You are too kind! I'm so glad that everyone loves Blaise and Channy! (:

Help me get to 200 reviews before chapter 20! Inspire me to write faster because the next chapter is long-awaited. If you catch my drift. ;) *makes kissy noises*

Aww c'mon you should have gotten it already! XOXO