Nothing belongs to me.
XX: Family
There was an unmistakable buzz of excitement among the guests. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.
Ginny wasn't. She stood quite alone (Harry off somewhere, doing something important) staring off into the space in front of her, champagne flute forgotten in her hand.
It was the same, these events, she was forced to attend. It didn't help at all, the fact that he too was there. Always.
Ginny wondered if she would be happier if she was the one wrapped around him, if it was into her ear he whispered sweet nothings.
It wasn't until the golden robed waiter had appeared at her side that Ginny realized her flute had shattered.
She told herself that she didn't care, that she didn't remember the way he made her feel, that she no longer dreamt of him, and that it didn't hurt to see him.
But these lies never sufficed for too long, and Ginny knew there was no point fighting her desire to know how it might have been different.
There had been a reason she chose to wear the silver dress tonight.
Ginny brushed past him walking towards the back of the room, near the champagne table.
She didn't have to turn around to know that he had followed her.
"It's been a long time."
"Too long." she agreed, addressing the air in front of her.
There was a pause, during which he admired the significant amount of back exposed by her dress. Ginny could feel his gaze.
"Why are you doing this to me, Ginny?" he asked quietly.
"I just needed you to tell me – "
"Tell you what?"
" – How this could've ended…tell me…about our family." Ginny swallowed the lump in her throat. "Tell me about our children."
"Don't make me do this." he mumbled.
"Just, Draco, please."
"Ginny!" She turned to see Harry rushing toward her.
"I've been looking all over – what's wrong, dear? Have you been crying?"
"No, of course not! I just got – got something in my eye."
"Oh, well, they're expecting me to make my speech now."
"Okay, sweetie…" Ginny forced herself to smile as her husband made his way onstage.
Draco Malfoy had long gone.