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Envy and Manipulations	By : rrabbit Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Ginny Views: 8376 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any characters from it.... therefore I do not receive any payment for this writing.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
"Are you nervous?"

"Of course I'm nervous."

"You don't have to be," he reassures me. "Now, I'm going to push. I don't want you to freak out, okay?"

I nod my head and close my eyes.

"Open your eyes," he scolds and I exhale slowly before opening them. "Just remember what I told you and everything will be fine."

"Okay," I say in a small voice. When he pushes my boat out so it's gliding on the river, I try not to panic. "What if I fall out?" I ask in fear as I peer down at the green water that is way too close for my comfort.

"This is a very calm river," he says as I use the paddle to control the movement of the boat just like he told me. "There is barely any white water here and I made you wear that life jacket for a reason... you couldn't drown even if you wanted to."

I tug on the bulky blue vest before putting my hands on the long paddles on each side of the boat like he taught me. "Why aren't you wearing one?" I ask in suspicion. He's just wearing a pair of shorts and a cotton slytherin house t-shirt. "What if you fall in?"

"I can swim," he says like I was a fool for asking. "And the water isn't very deep."

"Is this why you wanted to teach me how to swim?" I ask cautiously as I start paddling the boat through the water, following Draco down the river as I try to balance myself in the small kayak so it doesn't tip.

He nods and then smirks at me. "Yes, but I got distracted when I saw you in that swim suit. So a life jacket will have to do."

When I showed up to that weird club house five today at Folk Hills, Draco was waiting for me with a smirk on his face. I questioned him about my job and what I was supposed to be doing, but he just shrugged me off and Apparated us to some outdoor rec park that I've never heard of. He rented two small boats and a life jacket before walking us down to this freaking river and making me get in after a short lesson on boating.

"Are you sure my things are going to be okay?" I ask cautiously. He had taken my bag and heels and hid them along with his messenger bag among some trees. He promised me no one would be able to find them after he put a concealment charm on them, but I'm still nervous about it. My whole life is in my bag.

"Ginny, I'm a perfectly competent wizard," he says like I had offended him. "I can perform a concealment charm, thank you," he snaps and I nod my head as we travel along. "What do you think so far?" he asks as I try to steer the boat around a tree branch in the water.

I take a second to look around once the menacing branch is behind me. The river is surrounded by tall, thick trees that are heavy with green summer foliage, and there are crumbling rocks on the banks. A few birds fly over head and I shield my eyes from the sun as I watch their progression across the sky.

"It's pretty out here," I point out. The day is beautiful and the weather is perfect for out door play. Not too hot and not too cold. Just perfect. "I don't think I hate this so much," I say and he laughs.

"Well, I'm glad you don't hate it," he says with a smile. I smile back, enjoying the way he looks when he smiles. It makes my stomach flutter in a wonderful way and I'm reminded again about how much I like him.

We seem to be the only people out on the water today, and I let the current take us down stream as Draco and I talk.

"I read in the paper that your brother and Potter were in Knockturn Alley a couple of days ago," he says as he rows beside me.

"Yeah?" I say as I try to make my boat go to the right because I keep on leaning uncomfortably to the left.

If I fall in, I swear I might die.

"Yes," he says. "The paper said they looked very upset and they quoted some unnamed source that admitted they had been missing all summer. I didn't realize they weren't around," he adds and I glance at him. He's wearing those thick rimmed sunglasses so I can't see his eyes.

"They left the night before my birthday," I admit because I'm still bitter about it. I put the paddle on my lap and let the current take me as I fix my head band. My bangs keep getting in my eye, so I pull it all back. "Harry, Ron, and Hermione just up and left without telling anyone. They had my parents worried sick for them."

"What were they doing?" he asks and I shrug my shoulders before picking up the paddle again.

"They never tell me anything," I say honestly. "I don't care what they're doing."

When I look at him again, he smiles.

"When you were reading the paper, did you also notice the article about McGonagall?" I ask with my jaw tight. "They said it was robbery gone wrong." Just like the Order had said.

"Yes, I saw that," he says seriously. "How did you know before the papers did?"

"If it was a robbery gone wrong, then where is her body?" I question, ignoring his inquest. "Why hasn't anyone asked that question?"

"How did you know that information?" he presses again as we pass through a section that's totally shaded by the tall trees.

"You know that my family believes that you-know-who is back," I say because I don't feel safe saying his name out in the open like this. "They have people over," I say, trying to be careful, but wanting to talk to someone about it. "They know things."

"My parents have meetings too," he says in a deep voice as he stares at me. "They know things as well."

"Do you spy on them like I do?" I ask and he smirks at me.

"I don't have to," he says and before I can question him further, he cuts me off. "Make sure you go to the right here," he says as he starts turning his boat that way. I follow him because there's a big rock protruding from the lake bottom. His t-shirt is Slytherin green with silver writing and the back of his shirt has his last name printed towards the top. It looks comfortable. "My mother says that she invited you to come to the Manor earlier than intended." he says and I nod my head as I think about her.

"Yes, she came to one of the shops where I was trying on dresses. She's very intimidating," I add and he glances at me. "I'm nervous about it... what happens at Debutant balls?" I question.

"Well, the girls get introduced by their fathers and then there's a lot of dancing," he says and my boat starts swaying towards the left again, where a large tree branch is sticking out right at head level. I try to paddle away. "My Mom turned it into a charity event, of course, so they'll have dance cards that people will donate money to be on," he says.

"I'm going to run into this thing," I say in a panic, because I'm not listening to what he's saying and the water is making waves, pushing me towards the tree branch. "Draco, I'm going to hit it!"

"Calm down," he says with a laugh. "Just duck your head when you get close."

I bend down when I'm by it and sigh in relief when I survive. I exhale slowly and try to paddle my way back.

"Now, do you see that rippling water up there?" he asks, nodding ahead of us. I nod my head. "I want you to follow my lead. There's a small drop off there, so you have to go into the middle and immediately get to the right side," he says. "Just follow me, right?"

"Right," I say with a head nod. "What kind of dancing?" I ask to get back on track. I can't picture misses Malfoy grooving to modern music, to be honest.

"Formal dancing," is all he says as he rows in front of me in his sleek green boat. "You don't have to worry too much about it," he adds. "The songs that have actual steps, we can sit out if you don't know them and I'll be leading you in the rest. You don't have to fret. Pay attention, now."

I try to pay attention, I really do, but the small drop off looks more like a small waterfall and it made me panic. I nearly screamed as my boat flopped over it and I was too preoccupied with not tipping over, that I forgot to paddle to the right like Draco had said and I got stuck on one of the rocks.

"Really?" I hear him sneer sarcastically from a few feet away as I try to get the boat to move. No, it's definitively stuck. "You would," he says as he hops out of his boat to come rescue me.

He holds onto his boat and swims towards me to give me a push. After I'm back on the water, he pulls his boat onto the rock so he can get back in. "I'm sorry," I say as I start paddling away. I watch him get himself off the rock and paddle beside me again.

"It's your first time," he says. "I can't expect you to be a professional."

"How long is this river?" I ask with a serious frown because my arms are starting to hurt.

"This river runs a long way," he says and I make a face. "But we're getting off in three miles. I don't understand how you can be so nervous about this, but you can ride a broom miles from the ground like it was nothing."

"I can't drown in the air," I point out and he shakes his head.

We row in silence for a while, before I start thinking about Del and the club. "Is it right that this is happening?" I ask and he puts his glasses to the top of his head, finally letting me see his eyes. "I mean, I should be at work."

"Summer's almost over. I wanted you to enjoy it," is all he says as I paddle along beside him.

"It just doesn't seem fair to anyone else."

"Would you rather be there behind that counter?" he asks sharply and I shake my head.

"It just doesn't feel right," I say as I think about my talk with Del. "And... I don't want people thinking bad things about me." I admit in a soft voice and he scoffs.

"If people think bad things about you, it's probably because they're jealous." he says and then he gives me a charming smile. "Not everyone can have an amazing boyfriend like you do."

"Yeah," I say dryly. "Amazingly pompous."

"But you love it," he says as he puts his sunglasses back down and faces forward.

More than he probably knows, actually.

When the run was done, Draco helped me get out of the boat and he carried them both to shore as I sat in the grass. I was almost proud of myself for not tipping the boat, or having a panic attack on the water. I feel like I'm a step closer to getting over that particular fear.

Yay for me.

"We have some time before we head back," he says as he pulls out his wand from his pocket and waves it a few times until our bags appear. He dries his clothes and pulls out a blanket from his satchel, setting it on the ground. I watch him curiously as he pulls an apple out and cleans it with his shirt before sitting on the blanket, leaning his back against a tree. "Come here."

I crawl over to him and sigh when I reach the blanket. It's soft and way more comfortable than the grass.

"Have you told your parents about me yet?" he asks as I sit between his legs. He props his feet up on either side of me as he takes a bite from the apple.

I snort. "No," I answer honestly as he chews. "They would lock me up forever. I wish our parents didn't hate one another. It's so stupid."

"Do you even know why our families hate each other?" he asks as I lean against his chest and place my hand on his knee. I shake my head.

"Do you?" I ask as I play with the edge of his shorts. I grab the apple from him and take a bite on the untouched side.

"Yes, I know everything," he says I can practically feel him smirking.

"It's silly to have a blood feud that no one but you remembers," I admit after I swallow and he laughs. It rumbles in his chest against my back.

"It's part of our history," he says as he takes my free hand and holds it up against his. Of course, his is much bigger than mine and I muse about the difference as he continues to talk. "It's actually an interesting story."

"Could you tell it to me?" I ask as I thread my fingers through his. I take another bite of the apple. I was hungry... I'm glad he brought a snack.

"It started with some stupid dispute over land rights centuries ago when both our families were the prominent pureblooded lines at the time," he says as I get more comfortable in his embrace. "There was a section in the black hills that both our families claimed and for years they squabbled over it until it turned deadly. Each generation would have duels, then there would be retaliation, and then peace, but it always came back to that little bit of land."

"What was so great about that land?" I question. I feel like he's telling me a bed time story or something.

"It supposedly was one of those pockets of pure magic," he says and I crinkle my nose at the myth. Every magical child is brought up hearing about the caves that are so full of magic that you could have your wildest wish come true if you said the right words. It's all fairy tales, though, and no one actually believes that anymore. "And you can imagine how both sides would want that."

"Naturally," I say with a smile as I bring his hand up to my lips and I kiss his knuckles.

"So, they fought for years over this land until both sides decided that they had enough." He squeezes my hand. I bite into the apple again and chew. "You are aware that you're family is known for it's powerful witches," he says and then he peeks his head around to see my face. I shrug as I swallow and he shakes his head as he takes off the sunglasses. He places them in the grass beside us as I lick my lips. "Honestly, how do you not know anything about your linage?"

"I don't know," I say in defense. "Apparently your family kept better records."

"Do you even know what your coat of arms is?" he asks and I shake my head. "Ginny, honestly. How can you not know these things? You have such a rich heritage. Why wouldn't your parents tell you?"

"I guess they didn't know either," I counter.

He rolls his eyes. "Prepare for a history lesson, then," he says and it's my turn to roll my eyes. "Your family was once very wealthy and very powerful," he says as he rests his chin on my shoulder. "But it was known for giving birth to powerful daughters."

I bite my lip as I look out ahead of me. We're facing the river we just rowed down, and the water is rippling with the wind.

"In a time when women were just there to have babies, your family really churned out some respected witches that did amazing things in terms of spells and wand work," he says and I smile at the thought. "Anyways, so our families decided to come to a peace agreement and what better way to seal two families together then with..."

"Marriage," I cut in because I know where this is going.

"Exactly. So my ancestor, Lancaster Malfoy, was engaged to your ancestor, Miriam."

"You even know their names," I say with a smirk because I'm taking this whole story with a grain of salt.

"Of course I do," he smirks and I look at the apple, deciding if I want more. "Miriam was the youngest and most beloved daughter in your family," he says as he runs soothing circles on my thigh with his right hand. I wore a yellow sundress to work today, and it was cut just above my knees. "And Lancaster was the heir after his older brother died of Dragon Pox."

"Charming," I say and he shushes me.

"He courted her and fell in love. She was allegedly very beautiful," he says and then he places a gentle kiss against my neck. He starts bunching up the skirt of my dress, revealing more of my thighs. "Like you," he adds and I blush as he kisses me again before pulling away. "Of course, marriage contracts and agreements like that between families aren't as flimsy as they are today. If you entered one, it was basically set in stone and there was no way out."

"Did she love him?" I ask since I'm starting to get very interested in this fairy tale. I try to ignore the climb of his hands up my legs, but I can't, and I can feel my body starting to respond agreeably.

He shrugs. "I suppose not because the night before their wedding, she ran off and eloped with a muggle."

"Oh," is all I say as I make a face. "That didn't go over well, I imagine," I say and he laughs.

"Correct. Lancaster was so upset with the turn of events that he rode out that night to retrieve her. When he found them shacked up in some small tavern... he tore them both to pieces."

I make a face and sit up so I can face him. He sits further back against the tree to give me more room as I turn my body towards his.

"To pieces?" I say with an eyebrow raised.

He nods. "I'm talking total dismemberment. He took their body parts and scattered them across the village," he replies and I make a disgusted face. "He felt betrayed. His pride and honor was in jeopardy and that's all a man has at the end of the day."

"So he dismembered her?" I say incredibly with a head shake. I resume my spot with my back against his chest. "That doesn't seem like the most positive thing to do to the woman you love."

"I think your family saw it that way too," he says with a smirk as he takes the apple from me, taking a large bite. He swallows it before continuing. "They were so distraught with his actions that they burned down the village around my families home, killing hundreds and murdering five family members in the process."

"Fun," I say sarcastically and he smiles at me as he moves hair over my shoulder so he can place a kiss right where my neck meets my shoulder.

"They say that Lancaster found that pocket of magic before your ancestors came to kill him," he says. His right hand starts creeping up my thigh again until his fingers find the edge of my knickers. "He cursed your family so that no powerful witch would ever be born to break another man's heart like Miriam had broke his."

"He tore her apart, for Christ sakes," I say with a laugh as he traces the outline of my underwear and I try to ignore how turned on my body is getting. "Obviously he was a creep or she wouldn't have run off with that muggle."

"Will you let me finish," he says as he rubs me... there.. and I lift my hips. "So, anyways, he cursed your line, our families were nearly wiped out from the blood shed, and your house eventually fell into ruin... We've hated each other ever since."

I pause for a moment. "That was a delightful story," I say with a laugh and then I bite my lip when he slips his fingers under my knickers.

"I don't think it's just a story," he whispers in my ear. How did he make that sound sexy? I guess it's because he's running his fingers against the most sensitive spot on my body. "There's some truth in there."

"Hardly," I say breathlessly. I look out ahead of me, at the trees and the sun and the sky. We're outside... anyone could be watching. I put my hand on his wrist and pull his fingers away as I close my legs.

He doesn't say anything as I scoot away and face him, trying to continue the conversation like the whole 'touching my private spot' thing didn't happen.

"Obviously there was no curse. I'm here, aren't I?" I say with a smile and he leans forward.

"When was the last time a girl was born into your house?" he asks seriously and I open my mouth before clamping it shut. I know I'm the only girl to be born into the Weasley family for generations, but I'm sure it doesn't go back that far.

"What does that mean, then?" I ask and he throws the half eaten apple in the lake. I turn to watch it splash in the water, but Draco surprises me by pushing me on my back and settling himself on top of me when my legs scoot out in front of me.

"That means that the seventh moon is in the second house," he says and I furrow my brows as he pushes my legs apart so he can settle between them after hiking up my dress. I think I've heard that before.

"What?" I say as I try to sit up and place where I've heard those words, but he presses his hips into mine, keeping me in place.

"You were made for me," he says as he looks over my amused, albeit, slightly confused face. "That means," he says as he leans in closer and levels his silver eyes with mine. "That you're mine."

I laugh at that. Honestly, he said it so seriously. He reaches down to kiss me and I smile against his lips. "Is this how you get all the girls?" I ask in between kisses and he laughs a little as well.

"All girls get their knickers wet over a good blood feud story."

"Well, if I ever run off with a muggle, please promise me to try to talk it out before you cut me to pieces," I joke and he kisses my jaw.

"If you ran off with a muggle there would be no talking," he says against my ear. I laugh that one off as well... a bit more nervously, though. "I would never allow that."

I snort.

"Like you have much say in what I do," I say with a good nature eye roll and he pulls back to look over my face.

"You have say in what I do," he says seriously as he rolls his hips against mine so I can feel his very prominent arousal. "I would expect the same from you."

I don't have an answer for that, so instead I bring my hand up to his his face, running my thumb over his lips and jaw. "Don't look so serious, babe," I say gently. It was the first time I had used a pet name with him and I was kind of nervous saying it out loud... but it made him smile and he leaned down to kiss me again.

I sink further back against the blanket with my eyes closed while a soft sigh leaves me. I remove my head band and throw it in the grass to get comfortable as his fingers slip through my hair. It feels good and I wrap my legs around his waist to bring him even closer.

"Sweet little Ginny," he whispers against my ear after a rather long and lengthy snog session.

"What?" I ask breathlessly, because I'm not exactly thinking straight.

"Remember how good my fingers feel inside of you?" he asks with a smirk as he runs his fingers in between my legs. I'm wearing a dress of course, so there's no protection between my knickers and him. "Imagine how the rest of me feels," he says sinfully and I blush.

"That's a bold statement," I joke nervously and he looks at me more seriously.

"One I can live up to, I assure you," he says with a straight face and darkened eyes. It rattles me and my body starts tingling. "When you finally give yourself to me, you will not regret it."

I believe that.

I inhale a shaky breath, really thinking about saying yes.

"What time is it?" I ask cautiously because I'm scared that I want to actually do it with him right now.

"It doesn't matter," he says.

We start getting hot and heavy again and I don't even protest when he starts to pull down the front of my dress... and then we hear thunder and then clouds cover the sun.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me," he says as it starts to sprinkle and he glares up at the sky like it would change it's mind.

I take his arm and look at his watch.

"We need to head back anyways," I say as I tap the face of the Rolex. "It's almost time for my shift to be over."

I'm a little relieved it started raining, actually.

With a disappointed sigh, he sits back on his knees and watches me as I right my clothes. I go to sit up as well, but he puts his hand on my stomach to keep me in place. He's looking at me quite intensely and I furrow my brows because of it.

"You were going to say yes, weren't you?" he says thoughtfully as he looks into my eyes.

I blush again and push his hand off so I can stand up. "You'll never know," I joke but he doesn't laugh. "I want to," I admit uncomfortably because he keeps on looking at me like he wanted me to talk. "I just... don't want it to be too soon."

He doesn't say anything, he just nods his head and folds up the blanket. I put my bag over my head to keep my hair from getting wet as he gathers up his things and lifts his wand towards the boats so he can magically transport them back to the warehouse where he had rented them.

"We have to get to the Apparation point," he says as he takes my hand. "It's down this path," he explains as we start walking in the light rain. I nod my head.

Halfway towards the designated App spot, Draco's wand gets swiped from his pocket. He stops walking and pushes me behind him... then my bag gets magically tugged out of my hands and it zooms towards the trees. Draco's satchel is tugged on, but since it's strapped across his body, it doesn't get very far.

"What?"

"Sh," is all he says as his eyes scan the trees.

It starts raining a bit heavier, coming in at an odd angle that hurts my eyes.

I don't like that he doesn't have his wand anymore and I'm actually kind of afraid when a thin, scraggly man walks out of the trees, holding up a crooked wand. He looks homeless, honestly. His clothes look drab and ill fitting, his hair and beard are long and unkempt... and his eyes are wild. They keep darting around us like he was waiting for someone to jump out and kill him.

"Give me your bag," he says in a rough city accent and I crinkle my nose as I hide behind Draco a bit more. The rain makes mud of the dirt underneath us and my feet start sinking into the ground. He looks Draco over as the rain pelts us and he jabs his wand. "And that watch. Hand it over now, kid."

"Do you have any idea who you're talking to?" Draco asks in a calm, but stern, voice and I furrow my brows as my heart pounds against my chest.

"I don't care who ya are," he says as he puts Draco's wand between his teeth so he can rummage through my bag.

My heart falls into my stomach as he pulls out my things and he throws my notebook in the grass like it was nothing. I watch as rain drenches it and I nearly start crying. Draco goes to take a step forward, but the man jabs his wand towards us again and I grip his arm. I wouldn't pass it by him to curse us judging by how crazy he looks right now.

When he finds my change purse, his eyes light up and he puts that in his dingy pocket... and when he finds my actual bank card, I make a gasping noise as I imagine my savings... everything I've worked so hard for since I was thirteen.. gone in seconds. If we make it out of this intact, I have to go straight to Gringotts to cancel it before he does too much damage.

"Get my fucking wand out of your mouth, you disgusting ingrate," Draco hisses and the man levels him with a wild glare.

"You shut your mouth," the man hisses after putting Draco's wand in his breast pocket. "I swear I'll curse you. Now give me that bag... and you," he says, nodding towards me. "Give me those earrings."

I would snort if I wasn't so scared. These earrings are cheap and worthless.

"I am going to give you one more chance to give me my wand back," Draco says darkly. "I suggest you listen to me."

"You don't tell me what to do, boy," the man wheezes. Draco slides the satchel over his head and hands it to me.

"Hold this," is all he says and I take it with shaky hands.

He starts walking forward again, and the man drops my bag and shoots a curse right at Draco's heart. I scream and cover my mouth as it hits him, but instead of falling... or being shocked into inaction... it seems to have had the opposite affect on Draco. He lunges at the man, knocking the wand out of his hand as he wrestles his small form to the ground. The man tries to fight him off in vain... he's no match for Draco's size and youth.

I watch with wide eyes as Draco easily overpowers the man's frail body and he starts beating him against the head and chest with frightening precision. The rain stops for a little bit and I stand rooted to my spot as Draco punches the man without mercy, busting up his face until it's unrecognizable.

The sound of knuckles hitting skin and the moaning noise the man keeps making is making me feel ill.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" Draco hisses as he ruthlessly punches the man underneath him. "Do you have any fucking idea who you just messed with?"

"Draco," I say worriedly because the man has stopped moving and making noises. His face looks like uncooked meat and I have to stop myself from gagging. "Draco, stop."

He doesn't stop, he just keeps going. I fear he might actually be trying to kill the man. I step forward to stop him, but he seems to have caught on because he stops himself and sits back. He shakes out his right hand like it was hurting him... I suppose it would after the beating he just gave, and he stands up. I take tentative steps towards them as he digs his wand out from the man's front pocket.

I'm almost relieved when the guy on the ground moans and tries to turn on his side. That means he's not dead, thank god.

Draco cleans off his wand with the edge of his shirt and then he levels it at the man's chest. The cold look he has in his eyes is frightening... there's nothing there... no emotion, no warmth... just darkness that makes me terribly uneasy. He licks his lips and tilts his head to the side as he looks the man over and then he starts to flick his wrist around to start a curse. I widen my eyes again and run over to him, placing my hand on his arm.

He snaps his head towards mine. "Don't," is all I say with a head shake. I don't know what he was going to do, but judging by that hateful look in his eye... I doubt it could be good.

His eyes dance across my face and that iciness in his expression seems to be melting the slightest bit. "I can't hear you," he says dryly and that's when I notice his ears... they're bleeding.

I touch the blood that's running down his neck and I show him my fingers. It must be a side effect from that curse the man hit him with.

His eyes inflame again. He turns back to the man and kicks him in the side. I gasp once more as my hands start shaking. I've never seen anything like this before and it's scaring me to death. Draco glances at me once again and, when he notices how shaken I am, he sighs.

"Get your things," he says in a louder voice than normal.

I obey his order and gather up all of my possessions, stuffing them into my rain soaked bag. Out of the corner of my eyes I see Draco bending down and reaching into the man's pocket to retrieve my coin purse and bank card... I sigh in relief when I see it and I try not to be too upset when I pick up my ruined notebook. I try to peel the pages apart, only to see the ink all run together and blotched. All that time I spent writing in this notebook is pointless now.

I feel my eyes tear up, but I swallow the pain and stuff it in my bag. At least it was the new one that Hermione had given me for my birthday, so there wasn't too much lost. Draco points his wand at the man's chest again and before I can stop him he flicks his wand a few times, performing a familiar charm.

I'm familiar with it because I saw him use it on my mother.

"A group of muggles beat you up after they saw you doing magic in the forest," Draco tells the man who's under his memory removable charm. "You never saw me and you never saw her," he says, nodding towards me. He picks up the man's wand from the ground and snaps it in half. I flinch. "You should have listened to me," he adds hatefully before dropping the two halves of the broken wand on the man's battered chest.

Then he turns to me and hands me my card and purse.

I put it in my bag and look at the man as he moans on the ground. He looks terrible. "Come on," Draco says as he grabs his satchel from my shaking hands and he takes my hand.

I reluctantly let myself get pulled away as I hike up my bag on my shoulder. When we reach the safe app zone, I look down the path where the man is rolling on his side.

"Should we tell someone he's there?" I ask worriedly. He is beaten pretty terribly.

"I can't hear you, Ginny," Draco says in a louder than normal voice because he can't hear how loud he's actually being. "We're leaving."

Because of the curse, I assumed we would be going to St. Mungo's so Draco could get looked at. I was confused when we popped to Folk Hills and I give him a curious look as he dries my clothes and hair.

He glances down at me with his jaw tight and twitching.

"Your shift is over," he says and I open my mouth to respond, but he cuts me off. "I'll see you later."

"But..."

He puts his hand up to my face, running his thumb over my jaw. "I know this curse. I'll be fine," he says seriously before pulling back.

Then he pops away and I just stare at his empty spot for a few moments. It can not be good to have your ears bleeding... and that man... what if he dies?

"There you are," I hear my mother's voice and I turn around reluctantly. "We usually meet by the stairs," she says as she gives me a tight lipped smile. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah," I say with a head shake as I send another reluctant look to where Draco popped away. "I'm ready."

Pansy and Daphne had warned me about how intense Draco could get. I think I've only witnessed mild doses of it until today. That look he had in his eyes when he was beating that man...

It gives me chills just thinking about it...

When we get home I try to ignore the nagging feeling in the back of my mind that's warning me to run away now. To get away from Draco and everything I had built this summer, but I can't listen to that voice now. It's just the scared naive part of me, right? I'm supposed to be brave.

When I awake the next morning, that man in the forest is front page news.

A group of passing wizards found the beaten man's body that night, laying right where we had left him. The paper had called it a muggle/wizard hate crime and people were all up in arms about it. It triggered a debate on muggle/magical relations once more and the man, who's name I learned was Milton Harolds, was seen as a sympathetic figure as opposed to the dirty thief he was. Thankfully he didn't die, but he did suffer terrible injuries. He had severe head injuries, three cracked ribs, broken fingers, and two of his teeth had been knocked out. All of that was because of Draco and I just couldn't wrap my head around it without feeling sick.

I couldn't eat my breakfast as I read the article and when my mother asked me what was wrong... I told her I was tired.

And it was true. I suddenly felt very very tired.

"Ah, muggles," my father says fondly as he puts his collection of spark plugs into a card board box. "What wonderful creatures they are," he says with a sigh.

He just got finished telling me how awesome technology is and I listened dutifully... because I had no choice.

I roll my eyes as I pack up some odd looking wire things into another box and labeling it with green marker. I literally write 'odd looking wire things' on the lid before sliding it to the side. I agreed to help my father clean out the shed this afternoon and I'm glad to have the break from the constant chattering of my Mother. I had the day off and she's been following me around like it was her job which I found highly irritating.

Dad was a better option. Even if I had to help him organize all his muggle crap.

"Know what I mean Ginny bean?" my dad sings and I smile at him.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," I tell him as I start gathering up the old computer monitors my father had been collecting the past two years and putting them in against the wall.

"So," he says he wipes his forehead off with the back of his arm. "What's new with you, huh? I feel like we haven't spoken in a while."

I shrug because I can't really tell him anything that is actually up. "Nothing really," I say softly and he smiles at me.

"Your mother tells me you have a boyfriend."

I drop one of the monitors and it breaks against the ground.

"Are you okay?" he asks in a panic as he runs over to me and cleans the mess with his wand.

"Yeah, I'm okay," I say with a head shake as I help him lift the mended monitor back to the table. "I'm fine. I'm sorry."

"Accidents happen," he says and then he smiles at me. "So, about this boyfriend..."

"Why would she say that?" I ask nervously as I avoid his eyes and he laughs.

"She said you had 'the smile'," he says making air quotations. "So... who's the lucky guy?"

He asks and I bite the corner of my lip. I can't lie half as well to my father. "Does he work with you at the club?"

I nod my head, giving in and not wanting to lie too much to him. "Wait," I say as I bite the corner of my lip a bit harder. "I met him at Folk Hills," I admit because I'm tired of lying to my parents. They will have to meet Draco eventually, right? "He doesn't work there," I mutter and my father knits his brows together.

"Who is it?" he asks carefully as he cleans the lenses of his glasses on his old shirt.

That I can't admit right now. "I'd rather not say right now," I say and when he tilts his head curiously, I rush to make it not sound so bad. "I mean... it's just I don't want everyone knowing because you know how mom and the boys are..." I say as I think of my brothers and he nods his head in understanding. "I'll tell you when the time is right. It's not too serious now," I lie and he nods his head.

"You know, whoever it is, you don't have to hide him from me," my Dad says seriously. "He can come over to dinner any time you like."

Yeah... right...

"Is he your age?" he asks carefully.

"He's in Ron's grade," I admit as I start moving the monitors again. "He goes to Hogwarts and he's really smart," I add for good measure and my father smiles at me.

"Does he have all his teeth?" my dad asks and I laugh because he's being goofy.

"Of course he does."

"And you like him?"

"Yes," I say with a smile. "I like him very much."

"That's important," he says with a head nod. "Is he the reason you've been sneaking out so often?"

If I was holding something... I probably would have dropped that as well.

"What?"

"Ginny," he says seriously. "I'm not stupid... and I hope that you're not either," he says.

I blush and look down.

"I remember what it was like to be your age and I know I can't stop you from doing something you really want to do. I can understand," he says as he shakes his head. "Your mother and I... well, we want you to be safe and I think we've sheltered you a bit too much. Much to your disadvantage," he says like he was working through it. "I just want you to make good decisions."

"I am," I say in a small voice... only half believing that. "Does Mom know?" I ask nervously. "That I've been... you know... leaving the house every now and then?"

"Ah, no," he says as he goes back to his spark plugs. "You probably would have bars on your window if she knew," he says and I snort in laughter.

"I don't think she's that extreme," I say jokingly and he flicks me a glance.

"We're talking about the same woman, right?" he says and we laugh at the thought. "You know," he says after a few moments of it hanging in the air. "It wouldn't hurt for you to be a little bit nicer to your mother," he says and I make a face because she's been annoying me so much lately. "She just cares about you so much and she's so stressed out with Ron gone and the Order meetings... You have to be understanding."

"Of course," I say sourly and he gives me a side smile.

"The tension has been so thick in the house and I just want it all to go away," he says with a sigh. "We all have a lot on our minds. Speaking of which," he says as he eyes me. "I have to wonder why you haven't bothered to ask me about the Order meeting in our kitchen."

I shrug.

"Is it because I didn't successfully get rid of every stupid extendable ear the twins felt compelled to give everyone under the age of seventeen?"

I smile a little, part ashamed and part amused.

"I'm almost of age," I point out lightly and he nods his head.

"I know you are," he says and when I look at him I realize how old my father has gotten. He's wearing a white t-shirt with dirty slacks and the wrinkles around his eyes seem deeper than ever. For some reason I feel guilty for it. "It seems like yesterday you were just a little thing with bright hair hanging off my leg."

He smiles wistfully and I raise an eyebrow. "You make me sound like some kind of odd growth," I joke and he laughs as he shakes his head.

"Just be safe, yeah?" he says and I nod my head. "Now is a dangerous time and I know I can't stop you from doing something you really want to do... but have a good head on your shoulders about it."

"I know," I whisper and he nods his head decisively.

"How about some music?" he says as he pulls an old carton of records out from under the table. They were banished here by my mother who refused to let Dad play them in the house anymore. He picks one out and puts it on the old player in the corner, putting the needle down as it starts spinning. The music starts to blare from the speakers and we go back to cleaning the place up in relative silence.

"Dad?" I ask after most of his things are boxed up and categorized. I've become distracted by the music. It's large band music... dancing music...

"Huh?" he asks as he dusts off a rather odd looking telephone thing.

"Do you know how to dance?" I ask as I think of the ball at the Manor. "I mean... like formal dancing? I mean, the ones that have steps that people would dance to at a ball or something like that," I say as I remember Draco mentioning them.

He wrote me after the incident in the forest with the mugger. He said that he was fine and that I didn't have to worry about him. Then he went on to talk about the ball and what was expected of me... it was a little overwhelming, actually.

"I know a few," he says as he stands up straight. He names off a few dances that he actually knows and my eyes light up.

"Would you teach me?" I ask because I want to impress Draco.

"I didn't think you kids cared to dance like that anymore," he says. "All I've seen are a lot of awkward hip movements and some snapping."

"Dad, please?"

He looks at me like he was pleased and he nods his head. "Alright then," he says with a grin as he digs through his box of records again and he pulls out a red one. "This one is called the clap and snap."

"The clap and snap?" I ask flatly and he smirks as he moves the table to the side of the shed.

"Well, it has a proper name, but I could never pronounce it... so I just call it the clap," he says as he claps his hands together. "And snap," he says, adding a snap. I roll my eyes with a smile on my face. I love my dad. He's just ridiculous sometimes. "This is a popular one at big hall dances."

That sounds like something I need.

"Okay, now, this is a very proper dance," he says as he positions me at the center of the shed. "So, you stand across from your dance partner," he says motioning to himself as he stands a few feet across from me. "And I bow," he says as he puts his arm across his waist and bends forward slightly. "And you curtsy."

I snort in laughter as I do it because I'm just wearing shorts and an old shirt that do not feel like curtsy worthy attire.

"Good, now listen to the music," he says as he stands up straight like a proper gentlemen. "Traditionally, people will be lined up on both sides. Girls on your side and, obviously, men on my side," he says and I nod my head in understanding. "When the music crescendos like it now," he says as he steps forward and puts out his hand. "Every other person in the line trades places with their partner."

I step forward, and he puts his hand in mine, spinning us in a circle before we switch places.

"Always with that little move. You just have to sway to the music," he says. "Listen to the piano."

This seems harder than I imagined... We do it a few more times until I get it down and then he smiles.

"Good. Now you clap," he says and I make a face before doing as he says. "Then you'd trade places with the person beside you and then you snap..."

It took me an hour to learn the dance... and two to master it. I figured it must be a fun thing to do with a big group and I was hoping that they would play it during the ball so I could show off my skills. I had a good time hanging out with my Dad as well. I didn't realize I needed the bonding time with him until it was over and I felt relived to have spent time with him. He taught me one more dance before we went back inside and my mother had lunch waiting for us.

"How was cleaning the shed?" she asks. My father looks at me like he was waiting for my answer as well, and I smile at my mom.

"It was fun," I admit as I take my seat and she gives Dad a curious look before smiling back at me.

"Well, that is just wonderful then. I hope you two are hungry!"

"Oh, I definitely am," I admit as I start eating the meal she places before me. She always cooks such wonderful meals and I glance at her as she takes a seat by my father. "Thank you, Mom," I say and she blinks a few times before smiling at me again.

"Of course, dear," she says softly and I go back to finishing off my plate.

My Hogwarts letter came two days ago, so after lunch Mom took me to Diagon alley to get my things. I decided to use my money to buy a new uniform and I could see my mother frowning as I paid for most of my things myself. I don't like having second hand things if I can help it and I think I may have made my mother feel bad when I said it out loud. Other than that, it was a pleasant day, and when I got into my room that night, I started packing all of my school things in my trunk.

I can't wait for school to start.

I take a shower and go to bed, falling asleep easily and slipping into a rather peaceful dream about clouds and unicorns...Until I wake to pounding on my window. I jump up in panic and glance at the clock. It's three AM and I fumble around with the light before going over to the window and letting Draco in.

"Jesus," I whisper harshly as he crawls through my window. "Draco, it's so late," I say honestly as I cross my arms. "Why are you here right now?"

"I'm okay, if you were wondering," he snaps harshly and when I remember the state in which he left me, I let my arms drop.

"I'm sorry," I admit as I help him out of his cloak. "Did you see a healer?"

He nods his head. "I knew the curse he used," he says as he lifts his wand towards the door to lock it. "It was weak anyways. One potion fixed it," he says and then he turns to me.

He looks tired. There are circles under his eyes and his hair is disheveled. He's wearing that black outfit again and I nearly question him, but I stop myself. It didn't seem like the right time. He goes over to my vanity and he pulls his shirt over his head. I watch his back for a few moments before walking over to him and wrapping my arms around his from behind, pulling him close.

"Are you alright?" I ask softly against his neck. "You seem a little off."

He grips my hands in his and he brings them up to his lips, kissing my knuckles softly.

"I'm just tired. I'm sorry I frightened you. It wasn't my intention."

"It's alright," I say honestly as I kiss his shoulder blade. I'm just happy that I can do that anytime I want.

"I'm tired," he admits. "I just want to sleep."

He takes off his pants and then we climb into my small bed. "Do your parents ever notice that you're gone at night?" I ask as we get comfortable and he shakes his head before turning off my light.

"As long as I'm where I'm supposed to be in the morning, they could care less what I do."

I frown and hold him close.

"That's weird. My parents are always all over me."

"I'm sure your parents wouldn't appreciate me sleeping over so often," he admits and I smile a little.

"I bet not," I say softly and he runs his fingers up my arm.

"I like being around you," he admits in a soft voice and I lift my head to see his face. "I can relax. I don't have to worry about what you're planning."

"What?" I ask softly so he'll elaborate further, but he doesn't.

He doesn't say anything to that... and I don't press the conversation. After an hour of laying there in the darkness, I finally let myself go back to sleep. The happy dreams of unicorns and sunshine doesn't come back to me. Instead I have an all together darker landscape before me.

I'm back in the chamber of secrets, sitting in a puddle of black ink as Tom walks around me. Tom was looking like his handsome young self and he had a devilish smile on his face as he looked me over. I felt like I was a child again as his onyx eyes stared deeply into mine. He stopped walking and smiled at me. All of a sudden I was back in his trap once more, helpless and young and stupid.

"Ginny, Ginny, Ginny," his smooth voice chastises me with each click of his tongue. "Why must your always disappoint me?"

"I'm sorry," is all I say as he starts walking about me again. He's wearing an old Slytherin uniform and his polished shoes tap against the concrete floor.

I try to get up, but I slip in the ink and Tom laughs.

"You can't get away from me," he says like I was being foolish for even trying to get up. "You know that. I own you."

"You don't," I say in a small voice .

He looks me down and raises a dark eyebrow. "I do," he says and I shake my head. "Dark magic always lingers, Ginny, and I've put enough in you to last a lifetime. I. Own, You."

"You don't."

"I do."

"You don't!"

"I do."

"You don't!" I scream and then I wake with start. I catch my breath and lean against my pillow as I close my eyes.

"I do."

I snap my eyes open and turn to Draco. "What did you just say?" I hiss at him as he rubs his eyes out with the heel of his palm.

"I asked if you were okay?" he says in a voice thick with sleep and I furrow my brows for a few moments before letting myself get pulled against his chest again.

"You don't," I whisper before closing my eyes.

I have work the next day and once Draco leaves I get dressed quickly and let my Mom apparate me with Folk Hills. I make my way to that stupid club house five and I unlock the door. No one is waiting for me this time, and I go inside the creepy building with tentative steps. What am I supposed to do here now? I put my bag on the floor and glance around me before sitting down and crossing my legs.

This is so odd.

I was paid on Friday and I actually made more money from the two days when my job was transferred here than with the cloak closet gig I had. It doesn't seem right somehow... it still doesn't seem fair.

But I'm not going to question it.

I pull out my notebook after a while and open it up. I had to start using my old one again since the new one was water damaged, but I suppose I don't mind so much. It's like having an old friend around again. I pull out my pen and start editing a story I had written last month while I wait for something to happen. After a few hours pass by, I start to feel strange just sitting here. I stand up and grab my bag before walking outside, looking around me with a frown on my face.

This can't be all I have to do today.

I stand outside for a few moments with my back against the building and my arms crossed before I see Daphne running towards me.

"I am so sorry I'm late!" she says as she pulls her hair back into a bun. She's wearing a hot pink baby doll dress that is one inch away from being a nightie and silver, dangerously high, high-heels. She's running pretty well in them, though. "I totally forgot I was scheduled to hang out with you today."

"Scheduled to hang out with me?" I ask worriedly as I hike up my bag and she nods her head as she tries to catch her breath.

"I had a dress fitting in the morning and I just forgot. Please don't tell Draco," she says and I frown.

"I won't..." I trail off carefully and she gives me a bubbly smile once she gets her bearings.

"Good, so... what should we do today?" she asks as she looks around with her hands on her hips. "We could go to the pool."

"Wait... when you said scheduled... did you mean you were really scheduled to hang out with me?" I ask seriously and she blinks a few times before looking away. "Does Draco make you guys do that?" I ask with concern and she shakes her head.

"Of course not," she says and I put my hand on my hips.

"But you just said..."

"I didn't say anything," she says as she takes my arm and pulls me back into club house five. "Let's go to my place. You haven't been there yet and my mother would sorely love to meet you."

"Wait, no, I want to know what you meant," I hiss as I pull my arm away from her grasp. "I thought we were friends," I admit fiercely. "I didn't know I was a job."

"Of course you aren't, Gin," she says as she bats her eyelashes at me. "Don't be silly now. You know I just talk so much I forget what I say half the time."

"How is okay that I get paid for hanging out with you people all day?" I question and she shrugs.

"You know the Malfoy's own most of this place. Draco thought he was doing you a favor," she explains softly and I cross my arms. "It was a sweet gesture."

"But he makes you hang out with me?" I snap hatefully because it makes me feel like some kind of unwanted child.

"Of course he doesn't make us," she says with an eye roll but I can tell she's getting flustered because her cheeks are heating up. "Don't tell him I said that he made us."

I give her a disgusted look and turn away. I feel very upset right now and I'm trying to file all my thoughts into their appropriate places.

"Ginny, don't be upset," she says softly as she touches my shoulder. I shrug her off. "I don't think you understand how things work," she says gently like she was talking to a child.

"Look," she says and she looks around like she was reaching for words. "I know how this may seem a bit odd, but Draco just wanted you to enjoy the rest of your summer. He knew that you would want to hang out with your friends," she says as she motions to herself. "I just say things in stupid ways sometimes. Anyone can tell you that. I'm sorry that I made you mad."

"It's alright," I say through clenched teeth and she pats my arm.

"You're just going to have to get used to dating a man with influence," she says with a good willed smile. I don't smile back.

We end up going to her house, and I have the very uncomfortable feeling that I'm being babysat as I'm introduced to Daphne's mother, who is a colorful housewife with beautiful blond hair just like her daughter.

"It's such a pleasure to finally meet you, Ginny," she says as she takes my hand. She's wearing a pink track suit with shimmering jewels lining the seams. "Daphne and the girls have told me so much about you."

"It's nice to meet you too," I say politely as she smiles at me. She looks really young for someone who has a teenage daughter. "You have a beautiful home," I admit as I look around me. It's all light and open and airy with Corinthian columns holding it up.

"Thank you," she says as she picks up a rather large and fluffy cat that walks past. It looks grumpy as she pats its head and I almost laugh at it. "Can I get you girls anything to snack on or drink?" she asks as Daphne scratches the cats head as well.

"No thanks, Mom," Daphne says with a head shake. "We're just going to hang out in my room for a little bit."

She waves us off and I follow Daphne up the metal staircase towards the second floor. Before we get to her room, though, a small girl with golden curls comes barreling towards us.

"Daph!" the child screams in greeting as she runs and when she reaches Daphne, she hops up in her arms. "You're home."

"I sure am," she says as she kisses the girls cheek and my sour mood seems to melt at the display of affection. "Carmen, this is my friend Ginny," she says to the little girl who can't be more than four years old. "Say hello to Ginny."

"Hello Ginny," the little girl blinks at me and I smile at her.

"Alright, now go find Mom," she says as she sets the little girl down and pats her back. "I think she has snacks down stairs."

"Bye!" the girl runs off like a bolt of lightening and I watch her little legs take her down the stairs before turning back to Daphne.

"My little sister," she says with an eye roll. "They're always a pain, but what can you do?" she says with a shoulder shrug.

We pass by a few doorways that all have girl's names written on them. I know that Daphne has a little sister that's around my age, Astoria, but that's it.

"How many siblings do you have?" I question as we walk down the hallway.

"Four," she says like it was a subject that bored her. "They're all younger than me," she says with a shrug when we get to her room.

She has a large canopy princess bed with pale pink walls and a flowered bedspread. I sigh when I see it and I close the door tightly behind me as I look around at the posters of good looking guys from famous bands.

Most of the afternoon was spent with her doing my nails and hair and I kind of felt like a doll that she enjoyed dressing up. I didn't fight it too much, I guess. It's better than working at the check out counter. After a while, I started thinking about Draco and I bite my lip as I watch Daphne paint my toes a ruby red color.

"How old were you when you lost your virginity?" I ask curiously with my chin on my knees. She flicks her blue eyes to mine before smiling.

"Fifteen," she says as she blows on my nails.

Fifteen. I think of myself when I was fifteen.. I could never be sexually active then. "Did you like it?" I question softly.

She laughs. "Of course I liked it," she says as she starts on my other foot and I frown. "I was well prepared, though," she says.

"What does that mean?"

"I mean, you can't just off and have sex. There has to be some foreplay before hand."

"Oh," I whisper as I think about Draco and his amazing fingers and mouth. "Does it hurt the first time?" I ask softly and she shrugs as she starts painting the toes on my left foot, using light strokes with the brush.

"It didn't hurt for me," she says seriously. "But then I rode a lot of horses when I was girl so I didn't have anything to break through," she says like it wasn't a big deal and it takes me a moment to realize what she's saying before I finally get it. Oh. "Why?" she asks after I stay silent. "Are you thinking of sleeping with Draco?"

"Maybe," I admit honestly and she beams at me.

"Oh, you should. He would be so sweet to you."

"I just don't know if I'm ready," I say seriously as I furrow my brows. "I mean... I want to.. but I don't want to regret it later... you know?"

"Trust me, you would never regret having sex with Draco," she says and I make a face.

"Daphne, do you know who Draco has slept with?" I ask softly and she raises her eyebrows. I know I can get more information out of her than Pansy. "He told me he's only been with two girls, but he wouldn't give me names."

"If he wanted you to know," she says as she finishes with the nail polish. She sits back and screws the lid back on the bottle as I wiggle my toes. "He would have told you."

"Did he sleep with Pansy?" I ask uncomfortably. I know they dated for a while and that would make me feel weird.

She shakes her head. "Nope."

But she doesn't say anything more as she gets up to put away the polish on her desk.

"Did he sleep with you?" I ask even softer because she's acting funny and she snorts at the thought.

"Of course not," she says as she turns back to me. "Like I said, if he wanted you to know, he would tell you. He'll let you know in his own time... but let's not talk about that. Let's talk about you," she says as she runs over to me and hops on her bed with her chin in her hands. "When you finally give in, I think it will be quit magical for you," she says and I purse my lips.

"Why do you say that?" I ask and she shrugs as she lays back against her pillows.

"Just because," she says and then she starts humming to herself. "He's done so much for you, and he likes you more than I've seen him like anyone... it would be such a nice gift to give yourself to him," she says and that makes me feel weird.

"I'm not sure that's a good reason to sleep with someone," I admit and she laughs.

"I didn't mean it that way, of course. I know you like him too, but girls are different than boys and they can hold onto their urges more successfully. Half the time it's for stupid reasons like wanting to have a good reputation, but if you just give it to one guy, you don't have to worry about being called a whore or anything. It's the proper thing to do when in a relationship. If you want to do it, you should do it. Nothing should hold you back... especially not what other people will think."

I look down at my right hand and wiggle my fingers again as I think of that 'no cheating oath' that I took with him. "You told me Draco is intense," I say as I think of him beating up that mugger in the forest. She nods her head. "Do you think he would..." I trail off uneasily. "Nevermind." I say with a head shake, but she sits up.

"No, go ahead. What were you going to say?"

"If he got mad at me, he wouldn't like hurt me, would he?" I ask and she narrows her eyes.

"You should be ashamed for asking that question," she says and I feel my ears heating up in embarrassment. "Of course he wouldn't hurt you. He's a gentlemen."

"You're right," I whisper. It was stupid. I really like Draco and I shouldn't have even thought that. "I'm sorry."

She sighs loudly and then pats my leg. "Don't be sorry. Draco can get a little... scary sometimes." she admits and I give her a troubled look. "But you're his now and he wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

"Why do you say it like that?" I ask curiously. "I'm not 'his'." That just seems like such a terribly possessive way to put it and I don't like it.

She turns her head and blinks at me for a few moments.

"If you're not his, Ginny. Then whose are you?"

"Nobodies," I say with a scoff. "I belong to myself."

"Of course," she says flatly like she thought I was being silly about the whole matter and I turn away as she goes back to humming a song.

I wish that Hermione was home, or that Luna was talking to me again. I feel like I need a friend outside the Slytherin walls because sometimes I feel like I'm being tugged and manipulated into a certain corner. Draco's corner.

I do like him, though... I like him so much that now I can't see myself without him.

I just wish I had an objective view on things.

I look at Daphne as she twists a golden curl around her finger, thinking over the conversation we just had. I bet if I was dating Harry and thinking of sleeping with him, Hermione would have totally different advice for me. I know we're all from totally different worlds, but I just feel like I'm on the losing side in this and, even with Pansy and Daphne... whatever Draco says will go despite my feelings on the matter. What is the motive, though?

It's odd. I can't shake the feeling but a very strong willed part of me... that part who likes Draco, doesn't seem to care.

Before I leave, I pass by Daphne's little sister's room once more and laying on the floor is a children's story book. I pick it up as Daphne watches me curiously and I flip it open to one particular story.

The Tale of the Serpent and the Queen

"Can I borrow this?" I ask softly.

"Uh, why?" she asks as I close it and look at her.

"Because," is all I say.

"Sure, whatever," she says with a smile like I was foolish.

I put it on my bag before we leave and it weighs heavily against my side.

"This is such a beautiful color combination," Mrs. Malfoy says as she clasps the necklace around my neck. "I know they say that 'Red and Green should not be' but the color of these jewels aren't really a true green," she says as she puts in the earrings for me.

The jewelery is heavy against my skin, mostly because it looks so expensive and it's weighing on my conscious. The necklace is made up of clean cut diamonds with three large green stones set inside the cluster that form a V in the middle of my chest. The earrings are made from the same mold, with the large green stones surrounded by smaller diamonds.

"It's a pale green," she says as she moves to my other ear. "With a bit more yellow in it."

"It's beautiful," I admit in a small voice as I touch the necklace.

I feel mildly ill to be stuck in this room alone with Narcissa Malfoy, but she insisted I come early to get ready. I lied to my mother, no surprise there, and told her that I had to cover someone's shift at work. She dropped me off at Folk Hills with my dress placed in a bag that I told her was my new uniform... I turned around and left as soon as she popped away.

From there, I went to one of those salons Mrs. Malfoy had mentioned. The woman there, Jonette, was already there and ready for me. She did my hair to Narcissa's exact specifications and when it came time for me to pay for it... which I was prepared to do, I was told that it was already covered and that I was also scheduled to get my nails and makeup done as well as my eyebrows waxed.

I didn't know if I should be insulted by it or not, but I let myself relax and actually enjoy being pampered for a while. My mother isn't the girly girl type so this kind of stuff was never in our bonding schedule. It was kind of nice and I was almost sad to leave for the most part but I was definitely reluctant to go to Draco's family home. It took me a while to gather the courage to Apparate. I had to talk myself into it.

When I saw Malfoy Manor, I honestly almost fainted.

It's the biggest, grandest estate I had ever seen. From afar it looked like some posh hotel and it was at the top of a rather large and winding hill. It took up most of the sky line and it looked down at the rest of the estate like a menacing castle.

I still can't believe people live like this.

I nearly ran away because I knew I could never fit in or be comfortable in a place like that, but I held my ground. I decided to be brave. Before going inside, I stood there and counted the windows that I saw on the house.. or Manor, I guess. I counted eighty six. There were eighty six windows and that was just the front of the house. I still can't quite get over it, and as I made my way up the walk way, I passed by concrete statues and well manicured shrubbery... and white peacocks.

I'm not even kidding.

A house-elf met me at the door and led me to Narcissa who was in one of the beautifully furnished bedrooms up the grand stair case. I have yet to see Draco or his father and a part of me is grateful for that. I still think his father would send me into some kind of embarrassing fit and I'm dreading seeing him later tonight.

"Look at you," she says as she steps back and she smiles at me from the mirror. "You look like a true lady now."

In this dress with the jewels and the hair and the make up... I do look like someone else all together. Someone refined and classy... someone beautiful. I feel a little smile on my face as I touch the fabric of the dress again. I don't look so out of place in this wonderful room, actually, and that's surprising.

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," I say as I turn to face her. She's wearing a beautiful yellow dress with red jewelry. She looks like some kind of dessert off an expensive menu. "You've been so kind to me," I say. I'm still nervous being around her. I don't want to do or say the wrong thing so I've been pretty shy since I got here.

"Of course," she says, giving me a pleasing smile. "Now, let's get you downstairs. People are arriving now and the other girls need my attention," she says as she takes my arm to lead me out of the room.

"The other girls?" I question.

"The girls that are being introduced tonight," she says as we make our way to the hallway. It's large, of course, with ornate wood work and paintings on the walls. "They're in the room down the hall," she says, nodding in that direction.

"Oh," is all I get out. That means Daphne and Pansy are down there. I wish I could have gotten ready with them instead of having all of this awkward one on one time with Mrs. Malfoy.

She walks me all the way to the top of the stair case and I try to remember it all because I am sure I'll get lost in this maze of a house at some point in time. I can hear voices and violin music coming from down stairs and I feel a nervous flutter in my stomach as I run a hand over my hair to make sure it's smooth.

"I will meet you later," Narcissa says when we reach the top of the stairs and then she kisses my cheek. I didn't expect it and I tensed my body up at the contact.

"Bye," I say weakly and I watch her walk away before turning towards the stair case. There are so many people here already. I dig through my clutch and take out a couple anti-anxiety pills.

I'm glad that I have them now, thank god, and I down them quickly.

People are showing up, and they're taking up the large entrance hall with their fancy clothes and mindless chatter. I try to find Draco, but I don't see him anywhere and I chew on my lip nervously as my eyes scan the crowd. I don't want to go down there and wonder around by myself with everyone watching.

"You clean up well," someone whispers in my ear and I jump in surprise. It's Draco, of course, and he puts his hand on the railing by my side as he laughs at my reaction.

"Laugh it up," I say with a head shake as I face the crowd at the bottom of the stairs again. "Sneaking up on people isn't polite," I scold and he laughs again as he takes a drink from the flute in his hand. It looks like champagne.

"How was my mother?" he asks as he studies my profile.

"She was very sweet to me," I admit softly and then I glance at him. He's wearing a well fitted black suit with a bow tie and he looks sinfully handsome in it. "I was a nervous wreck, though. I think I only said a hand full of words."

"That's all she needs," he says with a smirk as he eyes me up and down. "She's always wanted a doll to dress up... and dress you up she did," he says with a pleased smile as his eyes scan my body. "You look very beautiful."

I blush. "Thanks," I mutter as I shyly look away.

We stand in silence for a while and then he brings his hand up to run his knuckles up and down my arm as we look down at the guests below.

"Are any half blooded... or muggle born girls ever introduced?" I ask and he snorts so I shoot him a look.

"I believe you know the answer to that," he says as he takes another drink from his glass.

Fair enough.

"Why is your family so big on the pureblooded stuff anyways?" I ask with a frown. He keeps stroking my arm like I was a cat on his lap.

"Your family doesn't exactly practice what it preaches, now does it?" he asks and I make a face. "You're still a pure line even after all this time. So you can say your family loves muggles and half breeds, but none of you Weasley's marry them."

"That's not what I asked," I snap because he's right and I don't like thinking about it.

"The more muggles and half bloods you let into a family, the more squibs it produces," he says and I furrow my brows because I'm not totally sure if that's true. "It's a fact," he says like he was reading my mind. "And our magic wains around big groups of muggles. That's why we've kept separate from them for so long and why they shouldn't be allowed in our world. If someone doesn't care about the purity of our blood, then we will go extinct."

"Muggles have magical babies all the time," I point out. "I doubt that will ever stop happening."

"That might be true, but they aren't very powerful."

"Hermione is the smartest witch in your grade," I say with a frown and he gives me an unpleasant smirk.

"She's smart, but she's not powerful," he says seriously. "She can read all the books she wants, it will not make her a better witch."

I don't agree with him at all and I turn my head away. "It's all in the numbers, love. I'm not making any of this up." I don't say anything. It was a bitter topic to bring up and I regret it already. "Let's go downstairs," he says as he touches my ear, playing with the dangling earring. "It's getting a bit thick up here, don't you agree?"

"Yes," I say with a sigh. "I agree."

I let him lead me down the stairs. "I'm nervous," I admit out loud as I see more people that I recognize from the papers and magazines file into the room.

"Don't be," he says with a smile and then he squeezes my hip. "My father is going to be here tonight," he says and I nod my head. "But I asked him to keep his distance from you. Until you're ready to engage in conversation with him, he will stay away. From your reaction the last time you saw him, I want you to know that it would not be considered rude for you to not greet him like it normally would because he is the host." I look up at him worriedly and he smiles as he brushes a tendril of hair away from my face. "You're the lucky one that gets a free pass."

"Does your father hate me?" I ask. I know that he was the one who gave me the diary that had messed me up so terribly, but he was still Draco's father... and for some reason I didn't want them to not like me as messed up as that is.

"Of course not," he says as he takes another glass of champagne from one of the waiters dressed in white. "He completely understands the situation."

"Okay," I say with a head nod as he hands me the glass. I've never had champagne before and I was kind of nervous to try it, but I figured if I could drink firewhisky, I could handle this.

Draco starts working the room, talking to just about everyone and introducing me to the highest of the high society. It was intimidating at first, but I liked watching Draco converse with others. He adapted to each person, changing the way he approached conversations to fit the need of each personality.

With Mrs. Cole, a prominent wizengamot members wife, he spoke with enthusiasm about her small corgi dogs and then he turned right around and agreed with another mans hatred of small dogs and their owners. In one conversation he was a die hard Quidditch fan, in another he preferred to read books over sports. He went from being a right wing conservative to a left wing liberal all within fifteen minutes.

It was actually kind of concerning because he was so believable in everything he said.

"What?" he says after we have a moment alone because I've been staring at him for the good part of fifteen minutes.

"You..." I trail off and furrow my brows. "You lie particularly well," I say with a worrisome frown and he scoffs at me as he takes a drink from his glass.

"It's called networking, Ginny," he says like I was silly. "Building connections."

"By lying to people?" I question and he shakes his head.

"I hardly have a set opinion on half the things," he says. "To be successful, people have to like you, and for people to like you... they have to think you share their interests."

I narrow my eyes. "Do you lie to me?" I ask and he gives me a look before he grabs my chin, tilting it up to his face.

"You're my girl," he says with a smirk before kissing me. "I don't have to lie to you."

"Right," I say as I shake my head out of his grasp. "So, what else happens now?" I ask as I look around the room. It's packed now and most people are eating finger foods from the large buffet table that's located along the left side of the room.

"Well," he says as he checks his watch. "The girls will be introduced by their fathers soon," he says. "There are a few more steps this year since my mother turned this into a charity event," he says like the thought annoyed him. "So once they're down here, the dances will be auctioned off," he says with an eye roll.

"What charity?" I question and he shakes his head.

"Some kind of endangered sperm whale or something stupid like that." he says like he could care less.

"Your mother has been very nice to me," I say as I touch the jewels on my necklace. "Wearing this scares me," I say with a nervous laugh. "I think it costs more than my house and I know I could never repay her for this dress.."

"She wouldn't accept money from you," he says seriously. "It was a gift and I must say, it looks like you were made to wear expensive things," he tells me with a charming smile. "Money suits you."

I'm not sure what I think about that, so I don't say anything.

The music stops and then a man in a white suit jacket walks towards the stairs, placing his wand to his throat.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," he says and his voice booms across the hall. Draco runs his fingers along the curve of my waist and hip and I smile at him before turning back to the man. "First of all, we would all like to thank the Malfoy family for allowing us to use their beautiful home for the annual Debutant Ball."

People clap and few eyes turn towards Draco and... his father, who I see on the other side of the room.

"And I would also like to ask that you be more than generous with your donations to the Save the Whales foundation..." he starts talking about the foundation and I lean my head against Draco's shoulder because it's boring. When he's finished talking about the whales, he finally gets back on track. "Now, this year we have eleven lovey ladies that will walk down these stairs and officially be young women, ready for a full adult life..."

He goes into another long winded speech about society and the girls who will be presented. I try to shift my weight from foot to foot because the heels I'm wearing are killing my feet. I hate wearing heels, it puts way too much pressure on the ball of my feet. I don't understand how women wear them all the time and I nearly slip them off, but the music starts back up and the girls start coming down the stairs on the arms of their fathers.

The same man in the white suit announces their names as they come down, listing off their accomplishments and their family history as the people clap. Cho is the first girl presented and her father is a handsome Asian man in a gray suit. She's wearing a beautiful white dress and she has feathers in her hair. In fact, all the girls have some sort of feather headdresses on. She does some kind of light sparkly thing with her wand that makes everyone clap and whistle like she was part of the show.

Pansy and her serious father come next. I had no idea that Pansy was a world class dueler in some kind of society and I clap softly as she does her wand work. Millicent is escorted by her uncle and when I ask why, Draco says that her father died a few years ago in some kind of magical accident. That made me feel a little bit bad, but I ignored it when she found me in the crowd and glared.

Daphne is all smiles and bubbly waves when it's her turn. She looks like a barbie doll and when she gets to the platform on the stairs, she stops and puts her hands on her hips, giving her best pageant smile that makes me laugh and shake my head. Her father's appearance is actually quit surprising to me. He's a shorter man and rather large. His shape is more like a ball than a normal man and his cheeks are red like Santa Clause. She sees me and winks as the announcer goes through her beauty pageant history and her pureblooded family tree. She lifts her wand, doing another light sparkly thing in the shape of a star. I guess it is part of the show...

"I heard you were dating a Weasley," an old man says and Draco and I both turn towards the voice as the other girls are introduced. I'm quite surprised to find a man sitting in a wheel chair, staring up at both of us like he owned the place. "Is that blood feud over then?" he asks curiously as he glances at me with a smile.

He's old, very old it seems, and he has short white hair, slicked back away from his face. I run my eyes over his attire because he's wearing a finely cut set of bottle green dress robes. No one wears dress robes anymore unless it's required in their job so I know he must be old fashioned... I look over his wheel chair... I've never seen a magical person in one. It puts him up quite high, his head reaching my chin, and it has a black leather seat and arm rests. He also has a roman nose that hooks down just the slightest bit, but overall he's attractive for an older man. When he glances at me I notice the eyes...silver, like Draco's.

"Grandfather," Draco greets with a smile as he shakes his hand formally. I feel my insides do a somersault and my eyes automatically snap down to the floor. "It's good to see you," he says and his Grandfather nods his head.

"Always a pleasure," he says with a regal voice and I keep my face looking down until I feel a finger on my chin, tilting it up. "Let me have a look then," he says as he sits forward in his chair and forces me to look at him. I finally find the courage to make eye contact. "Well, she is quite lovely, Draco," he says and I blush as he drops his fingers and sits back.

"I've always favored redheads," he says, giving me a charming smile. I can see Draco in him and I have to wonder what he really thinks of me. "I find them very adorable and it was always unfortunate that it seemed to be the dominate trait in your family. It was always so hard to hate so many redheaded children. There was always something so charming about them," he says with a laugh.

"Thanks?" I say softly. He props his elbow up on the arm rest and taps his fingers against his lips as he looks me over.

"But," he says as he glances at Draco. "Perhaps this union would put an end to all of that nonsense?"

"Perhaps," Draco says as I try not to choke on the word 'union'.

I look at Draco again as he finishes off the champagne and he hands it to a passing waiter. I look at his fingers... perhaps a union isn't actually such a bad thing. His fingers can do amazing things to my body and I bite my lip just thinking about it. He feels me staring awkwardly and he shoots me a quick and curious glance. I shake the thought of Draco's fingers and the amazing things they make me feel away as I focus back on his grandfather. I shouldn't be thinking about lusty foreplay right now.

"Well, Miss Ginevra Weasley," he says with a smirk as he takes me in again. He knows my name, I don't remember telling it to him. I'm amusing he knows all about me from his grandson. He shares a look with Draco and then he glances at me again as I try to figure out his wheelchair. "You keep looking at my chair," he says as he pats one of the wheels like he read my mind.

"I'm sorry," I say seriously. In the back ground I can hear the dance auction for the whales happening, but I try to ignore it. "I've just never..."

"Seen a wizard in one?" he finishes for me and I nod my head. "Some curses are not reversible, I'm afraid," he says as he looks at Draco. "But it makes for an interesting time when going downhill."

Draco smirks and I find a small smile on my face as well. That was kind of funny... perhaps he's not so bad.

"I have seen a lot of Weasley's in my life time," he says as he taps his fingers against the leather padded arm rest. People start moving into the room off the main hall, but we don't."And I must say that you are the most refined one I have ever seen."

I blush again and feel all kinds of uncomfortable.

"It appears that we're moving into the ball room," he says and then he smiles at me. "It was a pleasure meeting you, my dear. Now I will take my leave."

He snaps his fingers and in a moment a woman in a plum dress is behind him, wheeling him away. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and I look at Draco.

"He liked you," he says and I bring my hand up to my neck to nervously play with the necklace.

"I barely said anything," I point out and he starts steering me with the crowd into the other room.

"You didn't have to," he says as he takes my hand and intertwines our fingers. "Remind me to teach you occlumency when the school year starts."

I let that sink in before I realize what he meant. "Wait, you mean he was..." I trail off with my cheeks turning red as I try to remember all I just thought about.

I remember looking at Draco's fingers and thinking... oh god.

"Are you kidding?" I ask with a whine and he shakes his head. "Oh god," I say as I start panicking and I bring my fingers up to my mouth so I can nervously chew on my nails. Hopefully he wasn't looking in on my brain when I was thinking about his grandson fingering me. "It's so rude to read peoples minds," I say in a shaky voice once we reach the ball room.

I just want to go home right now, actually.

"It's rude," he confirms as he finds another full glass of champagne. "It doesn't stop people from doing it and most people in this room have been doing it for such a long time that you wouldn't even know it. You have to be prepared and you need to realize when someone is digging in your mind," he says and then he glances at me. He gently brings his hand up and removes my hand away from my mouth. "I'm sure he's heard worse than what bops around in your head," he says seriously because I think he realizes how shaken I am right now.

"Do you know Legilimency?" I ask carefully.

"I do," he says with a head nod.

"Have you ever..." I trail off and bite my lip. "Have you ever read my mind?" I ask and he raises an eyebrow.

"No," he says seriously and I believe him so I nod my head. "Don't worry so much. Nothing in your mind can be that bad. You are far too sweet."

I down my glass of champagne and pass it off on one of waiters as I try to calm my nerves. I'm glad I had my pills because I would probably be a nervous wreck right about now. I try to block my mind, then, suspicious that everyone who looks at me is trying to read it, but I end up wearing myself out and I try to think pleasant thoughts instead. Draco was right, there's nothing in my mind worth reading, really.

Draco starts networking again, and I let myself get comfortable once he introduces me to one of the editors of the Daily Prophet. We talk about books and articles for a while until I feel totally at ease and when he walks away, I feel much happier.

The first dance was between the introduced girls and their fathers and the second was one of the auctioned off dances. I watched from the side lines as Draco's father took Pansy's hand and whirled her around the room like they were old friends. He didn't look half as frightening when he was trotting around the room in an old fashioned dance.

The third song was a dance that everyone could do and when the song started playing, my eyes brightened. I know this one! This is one that my father taught me in the shed and I look at Draco.

"What?" he asks as his hand moves up my back.

"Can we dance?"

"If you want to," he says carefully like he thought I was up to something and I pull him towards the center of the room as the boys line up on one side and the girls line up on the other. I stand by Pansy and she smiles at me.

"Your introduction was lovely," I say softly because I hadn't had a chance to talk to her yet. She smiles and crinkles her nose.

"Yes, it was, wasn't it?" she says as Blaise stands across from her with his hand in his pocket. "You look beautiful tonight," she says as she reaches over and touches my earrings. "Narcissa really went all out on you."

"Yeah," I say uncomfortably as I bring my hand up to my hair. "She sure did..."

The dance starts up and I look at Draco as he bows down a little bit from his waist, staring at me the whole time with a dark smirk on his face. I smile at him and do the curtsy, feeling much more comfortable because this time I'm actually wearing a fancy dress.

"You and Draco look like a very dignified couple," Pansy says before she steps forward and reaches her hand out, doing the spin with Blaise.

He takes her spot. I ignore him and step forward to the do the same with Draco. When I take his hand, he grips it firmly and winks at me before we spin. When I get back to Pansy she turns to me.

"I didn't know you could dance," she says as we clap. The clap and snap. My Dad was right on that front. "These steps are very old."

"My father taught me," I admit as we switch places. We snap. Then I look at Blaise because I know I'm going to have to touch his hand next.

Ugh.

When it's my turn to step forward, Blaise turns up the corner of his lips in a barely there smile as he grabs my hand. "I always appreciate the look of pure disgust every time you're around me," he says, but I don't have time to retort because I end up by Draco.

"Everyone is curious about you," Draco says says as he takes me by the waist and turns us until we're in a circle with another couple. I try to remember the steps on this part because this one is difficult. "They're all very envious of me right about now," he whispers in my ear before the dance pulls him away.

I take the hand of an older gentlemen who smiles at me before I get passed off back to Draco. "Why is that?" I ask before we're split up again.

"Because," he says as he pass each other. "You are the prettiest girl in the room," he says and I smile when we pass each other again. "And you'remine."

"Lucky you," I tell him with a smirk and he wiggles his brows at me.

It makes me laugh.

We go through the rest of the dance in silence, just listening to the music and doing the steps my father had taught me. I feel a pleased smile on my face the whole time and my cheeks heat up from all the movements. When it's finally over, we curtsy and bow again and then every one claps as I take in a deep breath. Draco comes back to me and kisses the top of my head which makes me feel special, so I put my arm around his waist and lean my head against his chest.

"That was fun," I say breathlessly and Draco smirks at me.

"Would you like something to drink?" he asks and I nod my head.

"Stay. I'll be right back," he says and I watch him walk off with a smile on my face as Pansy and Daphne approach in their lovely white dresses with feathers in their hair.

"Oh, Ginny, thank you so much for coming," Daphne runs towards me and gives me a hug. "Did you like our introductions?"

"Yes, of course," I say with a smile.

"You know what this means, right?" she says with a smile and then she gives Pansy an excited look. "We can be properly courted now. We can get married."

"You want to get married?" I ask skeptically and she nods her head.

"Oh, of course. What else?"

"Daphne doesn't have the highest expectations for life," Pansy says with an eye roll as she crosses her arms. "Draco hasn't been able to keep his eyes off you all night," she points out. We all look towards Draco. He's speaking to some older gentleman with a serious turn on his face. When he notices us staring, he glance our way and I turn quickly. "I believe you have successfully won him over," she says and I furrow my brows.

"I didn't know there was a competition for his affections," I add sourly and she shakes her head with a good natured smile.

"Just pointing something out, of course."

I see Ivy approach us and I stiffen. She's wearing a silver number with dangling chandelier earrings that weigh down her earlobes.

"Pansy, it was lovely," she says as she kisses her older sister's cheek. She does the same to Daphne and then she turns to me. "Ginny," she says and I stiffen again when she puts her hands on my shoulders and kisses my cheek.

What?

"It's so good to see you," she says with a tight lipped smile as I step away from her embrace.

"Yeah," I say carefully. The last time I saw her I did call her a slut, after all. It's smart to be cautious.

"Could I speak with you for a moment?" she asks carefully as she glances at the two girls by my side.

"Sure," I say slowly and Daphne and Pansy leave us as Ivy takes a step closer to me.

"I would just like to say that I'm sorry for the small misunderstanding we got into at Zabini's house," she says and I feel an amused little smile on my face. "It was all in good fun, you understand. I'm hoping that we'll become the best of friends."

Right.

"What did Draco say to you?" I ask curiously as I raise an eyebrow. I figure he must have risen to my bait and scolded her for treating me so badly. I'm anxious to know what was said.

"He didn't say anything to me, of course," she says with a fake grin and I smirk unpleasantly.

"Of course he didn't," I say in a way that tells her that I don't believe it. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you better," I lie through my teeth and she smiles once more before walking away. I see her shaking her head and slouching her shoulders as she walks and I smirk to myself as Draco approaches me.

"You look like you're in a good mood," he says as he hands me another glass of champagne.

"I am," I tell him seriously as another dance starts up. This one I don't know and I feel like I'm sweating from the first dance. "Where is the restroom?" I ask as I glance at him.

He gives me directions and I hand him my glass to hold. "I'll be right back," I tell him seriously as I start heading that way.

I see Mr. Malfoy standing by the door with his wife and I know I'm going to have to pass him to get to where I want to go. I pause for a moment to gather my courage to walk past them and I tilt my head up.

"Ginny, are you having a good time?" Mrs. Malfoy asks and I blush as I'm forced to stop and talk for the sake of politeness.

"Yes, I am," I admit and then I let my gaze slide over to Mr. Malfoy as he eyes me critically. He doesn't say anything and I blush when I recall the last time I saw him. I had fainted like a fool.

He's just a person. He's just Draco's father and he hasn't done anything to make me uncomfortable tonight.

I gather up my courage and look him in the eyes. "How are you this evening, Mr. Malfoy?" I ask with a head nod.

He smiles a bit, like it was a challenge I rose to. "Very well this evening, Miss Weasley," he says and I look over my shoulder once to see Draco staring at me like I was a Christmas present.

"That's good," I say awkwardly and then I feel like running... so I try to be nice about it. "If you'll excuse me," I say politely and they nod me off as I speed walk out of the room.

The hallway is dark, and I find someone sitting alone on one of the chairs. As I get closer, following the directions that Draco had given me, I realize it's Millicent. She has a plate with a piece of cake on top of it sitting on her lap and she's staring at it with so much intensity that I fear it may catch fire. I almost walk past her, but I stop myself because she looks so alone. I think about what Draco said about her father dying a few years ago, and my sympathy gets the better of me.

"Are you okay?" I ask when I stand in front of her.

She was introduced tonight as well, and her dress is a white puffy ball gown that makes her look like a cupcake.

She glances up at me with a glare and then looks back at the cake. "I haven't had cake in a year," she says flatly as she picks up her fork and pokes it.

"Cake is good," I say softly. The feathers in her hair make it look like two wings are sprouting on the sides of her head and she's wearing a set of sparkling pearls that catch the candle light just right.

"Cake is good," she whispers and then she looks up at me again. It's like she realized she hated me and she narrows her eyes. "Draco is like cake," she says and I raise my eyebrows.

"What?" I ask dryly and she continues with a fire burning in her eyes.

"He looks good, tastes good, but when it comes down to it... he's really terrible for you." she says and I roll my eyes at the analogy.

"Draco will rot my teeth and make me fat?" I question sarcastically and she sneers.

"He will twist you and turn you into something so far from what you originally were that you won't even be able to recognize yourself in the mirror."

I'm silent for a few moments before I bite the corner of my lip. "Is that what happened to you?" I ask cautiously. She did have all that work done and her body has been pulled in so many ways that I doubt anyone will know who she is when the school year starts back up.

She looks down at the cake again and then I see her shoulders rise in a deep breath. I step back when she stands up and I watch with a confused tilt of my head as she walks back towards the ballroom. She throws the cake at the opposite wall before plastering a fake smile on her face and entering the crowded room again as the cake and frosting slides down the expensive wall paper.

That was odd.

She has issues.

I shake off that odd conversation as I continue on my quest for the loo. I can tell someone about the cake on the wall when I get back. The bathroom is bigger than my bed room and I sigh as I stare at the furnishings and the golden plated sink. I have to wonder what Draco thinks when he's at my house. He's never said anything about it, of course, but he has to think something. My room is still painted yellow from when I was a girl and the furniture is painted light blue, but it's cracking and fading with age. It's shabby, but not in the shabby chic kind of way... if his bathroom looks this amazing... God.

I wash my hands and straighten out my hair as I stare at my reflection. I bring a towel up to my forehead to dab off the sweat and I step back when I'm finished. I really do look like someone out of a magazine tonight with these jewels and I finger them again before leaving the restroom and closing the door behind me.

I take my time going back to the ball room. There are a few paintings hanging on the walls and I stop to look at them. One is of a blond haired man in knights armor, holding a bloody sword with body parts scattered behind him. I make a face at the gore and blink a few times as I remember that story Draco had told me about our families history.

"Did you enjoy the dance?" I turn around in surprise to find Draco standing right there.

"I told you I was just going to the restroom. I would be right back."

"You look so good tonight," he whispers as he walks towards me. I start backing up because he's looking at me so fiercely right now. "You have been perfect."

"Did you expect me to fall on my face or something?" I ask. I hit the wall, and then he's right in front of me.

"No," he says with a head shake as he places his hands on either side of my head. "I just didn't know I would be so impressed with you," he says with his eyes shining. He bites his lip and I raise my eyebrows as he bends down to kiss me.

I laugh at it, actually.

"What are you doing?" I ask as I put my hands on his chest to push him back. "Your whole family is here."

"It doesn't matter," he says seriously as he kisses my jaw. "You've pleased me tonight," he says as he brings a hand down to my one of my breasts and he squeezes.

"Oh my," I say as I inhale deeply as I put my hand over his. "Don't I please you every night?" I ask to distract him because I know I'm going to give in if he keeps on touching me like he is.

I'm turning into quite the pushover with him.

"Yes," he says breathlessly as he pushes his body into mine. He is being awfully needy right now. "But especially tonight. Come with me," he says as he takes my hand and starts pulling me down the dark corridor. "I need a place where I can take off your clothes."

"Wait..." I say as I tug on his hand. "Millicent threw cake on your wall," I tell him as I point behind me because I know I should tell someone.

"I don't fucking care," he sneers and I snap my mouth shut.

"You've been so proper tonight," I say with a smirk as I follow him. "I wasn't expecting this to happen."

"I'm not always so proper," he says. "I think that is something that you will find out in definite detail the longer that you're with me."

I smirk and grab his shoulder, spinning him around and pushing him against the wall as I press a harsh kiss against his lips. I hear him gasp in surprise and the sound is so unbelievably pleasing to me. I caught him off guard. Me. I actually caught him off guard and it felt good.

"Who wants to be proper anyways," I whisper against his lips and he laughs as he spins us around until

I'm the one pinned to the wall again.

"Don't tempt me," he whispers darkly.

Then we hear a loud bang that rattles the windows and a bright red and blue light illuminates the hallway.

"Fireworks," I say in awe as I push him away so I can go over to the window. Another loud bang sounds and I watch as the firework goes off against the backdrop of the dark sky. It's green and it fizzles out golden. "They're wonderful," I whisper as I watch them and Draco steps up behind me with his hands on my hips.

They start turning into animals that move across the sky and I lean back against Draco's chest as he wraps his arms further around me. After a while, I bring my hand up to the back of his neck and I run my fingers through his hair as we watch the show. This is turning into the most mature relationship I've ever been in and I like that I don't feel nervous about my boundaries with him. I can hear people awing and clapping from the ball room after each display that's grander than the next. I know that everyone in there is watching them as well.

I tilt my head to the right so I can glance at Draco over my shoulder. He smiles at me and kisses my cheek. Then he bites my neck.

"Draco!" I hiss as I push his face away and rub my neck. "You're going to leave a mark."

"How terrible," he says sarcastically. "I have something for you," he says as I pull back so I can face him fully. A purple firework goes off and it illuminates his face in an eerie glow. "I was going to wait until later..." he trails off as he pulls something from his pocket and I furrow my brows as he hands me a small rectangular box. "But why wait?"

"What is it?" I whisper as I take it from him. I don't know why I'm whispering, actually. I don't know why I'm nervous.

"You don't know what your family crest is," he says as I start to open the box. Whatever it is is covered in a black velvet cloth. I can feel something turning the pit of my stomach and I identify it as anticipation. "And I'm assuming you don't know your house colors," he adds.

"Scarlet and gold," I say automatically but he shakes his head.

"Not your Hogwarts house colors," he says like I was stupid. "Your family house colors."

"Oh," I say and when I remove the cloth, it reveals a silver bracelet. My heart starts hammering. "Then no, I don't know my house colors."

"I thought so." He gives me a gentle smile that puts my nerves at ease. "I figured you could just wear mine then," he says. "I know it doesn't go with the outfit tonight," he says as he takes it out. I put out my wrist so he can put it on. It has two intricately carved dragons set into the tarnished silver and the closer I look at it, the more details I see. The dragons almost look real and they have small emeralds as eyes.

It's actually very beautiful.

When it's on, I bring it up to my face so I can get a closer look. There are words inscribed around the dragons.

Sanctimonia Vincet Semper

"What does this say?" I ask curiously as I run my fingers over the dragons. It looks like an antique piece of jewelry, something that has been in a family for generations. You don't see this kind of craftsmanship on such a small scale anymore.

"My families motto," he says as he watches my face.

I look up at him and smile. "Thank you," I say softly. It's beautiful and the nicest thing anyone has ever given me. "I love it."

He smirks and I've never seen someone so attractive before. I think of what Millicent said about him and I bat that thought away. I've always fancied cake, anyways. I don't care if it's bad for me. The good far outweighs the bad.

He bends down to kiss me with the fireworks exploding in the distance lighting us in different colored lights. Perfect. My heart pounds pleasantly against my rib cage and when we pull back, he brings his hand up to my cheek, smoothing a tendril of hair away from my face.

It's official.

I'm fairly certain that I'm falling in love with him.
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Envy and Manipulations