♥ "Wicked Game" for sarea_okelani ♥
Title: Wicked Game
Author: airmidm
Rating: PG-13
Possible Spoilers/Warnings: None that I can think of.
Author's Notes: Pretty much AU. Tonks, Lupin, Snape and Fred aren't dead.
Summary: Molly Weasley has decided that everyone needs to be paired up two-by-two. Draco and Ginny are her latest targets.
Wicked Game
It was enough to drive a man to drink, Draco decided, Apparating to the London townhouse he'd purchased when Malfoy Manor had been all but destroyed in the war, after another stag night. Why Blaise had insisted on hosting yet another bachelor party at a Muggle club considering the groom, Severus, loathed the Muggle world- was beyond Draco's comprehension. But, he'd gone; just like he'd gone to the last four stag nights. At least he was finished with them. For a while at least. Who knew when another friend or pseudo-family member would decide that now was the perfect time to marry? In fact, preparations for Luna and Blaise's marriage were already underway.
The fact that any of them wanted to be tied down was a hot topic in Draco's mind as of late. He shucked his shirt and shoes, crossing the sitting room toward his bedroom, sighing heavily. If one more person decided to corner him and give him a speech on settling down he would revert to the spoilt childish behaviour he'd been known for at Hogwarts and throw a fit regardless of location.
"I like being single," he muttered, dropping his trousers in a pile next to the bed before climbing under the Egyptian cotton sheets. He hoped to sleep off the alcohol because he was expected at a 'family get-together' and he knew from experience that Molly Weasley most certainly did not fear his wrath. In fact, secretly Draco feared hers. He couldn't dare show up visibly hung-over. Why Pansy had married into that family was something Draco would never understand. Not even nearly seven years later.
Punching his pillow, Draco rolled and forced himself to sleep. Maybe tonight he'd not dream of brown eyes and a fiery fall of red hair.
--
He arrived fifteen minutes early, gift in hand. He scanned the gathered crowd looking for Pansy, Blaise, Tonks, or even Severus. Someone safe at least.
"Draco!"
He turned and mentally cheered at the sight of Ginny crossing the garden with what he now knew, thanks to the plethora of children who were all too happy to explain the game to him, was a football. She'd pulled her long mane of curls up into a tight bun and was dressed appropriately for the occasion- which was to say not formally at all. Jeans, jumpers, and trainers were the wisest choices when one considered just how rowdy this lot could be. "Ginny, you beat me here. Where is the gift table this time?"
"Mum Floo'd me earlier and asked me to come help keep the children occupied." She laughed, tucking her free hand in the crook of his arm as she led him around toward the low garden wall. "Luna insisted that Mum put it back here. Don't ask," she warned, grinning, "you really don't want to know why. Severus and Hermione decided that even though it was their day, an explanation was not necessary."
He shook his head and set the box carefully on the table with the rest. "I'm sure I don't. Are there any other surprises I need to know about?"
Ginny shook her head. "Not a one. The rest of the day should run as usual. However, you are expected to play football later, like it or not. Mum decreed that anyone who refuses won't be taking part in the Quidditch match tonight and won't get any dessert."
Draco groaned. Missing the Quidditch match he could have handled just fine, but the threat of withholding the best Black Forest cake ever was the real blow. Thus far, he'd managed to get out of playing the Muggle sport with one excuse or another, but he should have known his luck was running out. In fact, he rather feared that he was Molly's newest target in her grand scheme of pairing everyone off. She was ruthless in a way that his late mother would have been proud of.
"Mum is in the kitchen; if she finds out you didn't say hello the moment you got here, she'll put you on dish duty," Ginny teased, tugging him toward the back door.
Draco allowed himself to be pulled along, thinking back on the convoluted circumstances that had brought him into the oddest, most multi-faceted 'family' that had ever been gathered together. Parts of it were still hazy as the people involved refused to discuss it, no matter how much alcohol he'd plied them with, damn it all. Regardless, Vincent had thrown his lot in with Dumbledore, Pansy had fallen in love with Potter, and Molly had taken care of the rest- insisting that everyone deserved a second chance and more importantly a family. He'd apparently counted twice over, seeing as Tonks was his only surviving family and he'd been made an orphan by Voldemort.
"Hey," Ginny whispered, tugging lightly on his arm. "If Mum sees that expression on your face, you won't make it out of the kitchen, you know."
He hastily pulled up his mask, hoping that Molly would be too busy with preparations to notice. That woman could sniff out a falsehood as quickly as Severus, and that was saying something. Ginny slipped away just as they reached the door and Draco envied her for it. Wishing he could flee, he braced himself and stepped into the kitchen. His eyes went wide. There just simply wasn't enough training, even given his Slytherin upbringing, to prepare him for the sight before him. Molly was at the stove, waving her wand this way and that while looking over her shoulder every few moments, no doubt checking on Vincent's progress peeling what looked to be enough potatoes to feed a large army.
"Draco!" Vincent said, smirking evilly, levitating another potato that he quickly peeled with a spell. "Good to see you, mate. I was just telling Mrs. Weasley that a bit of help with the potatoes would be brilliant."
Molly whirled, rushing over to envelop him in a hug. Draco awkwardly hugged her back, mouthing over her shoulder at Vincent, "I will kill you later for this."
Shortly, and after being fussed over thoroughly, Draco found himself seated next to Vincent. Oh, there would be severe repercussions. Well, as soon as he could think of something horrible enough. For now though, he would do his best to make the day as annoying as possible for his friend. "Molly, I've decided to play in the football match today. Don't you think Vincent should as well?"
"Oh, you bastard," Vincent hissed softly.
Molly turned, no doubt to reprimand Vincent, when they were saved by Tonks and Remus entering the busy kitchen. Draco set his wand aside, catching his nephew before Teddy could upend the large stack of potatoes.
"Uncle Draco!" Teddy exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Draco's neck and planting himself firmly in Draco's lap.
Vincent chuckled, but dutifully continued on with his task.
Draco smiled, genuinely happy to see his cousin and her son. Her husband, well, him Draco was still getting used to. If he had one fear left over from childhood it was werewolves. He and Remus had a tentative peace accord, one in which they agreed to stay clear of one another as often as possible for Tonks' sake. Draco shifted Teddy more comfortably on his lap, knowing full well that the boy wasn't going to be moving anytime soon.
It was going to be a long day. But, at least Teddy would keep Draco's mind off of the one woman he knew no one would be pleased to know he couldn't stop thinking about.
--
They were playing the game and Ginny couldn't take her eyes off Draco, though she truly did try and hide her fascination with him. It was obvious, even though they'd become quite good friends in the past seven years or so, that he saw her just as he did Pansy- a friend, a sister even. Disheartening, for sure, but just because she wasn't about to tell him she'd had a crush on him for years, that didn't mean she was ready to give up on Draco just yet.
She winced as the football slammed into his stomach, rushing across the makeshift field to fight Vincent for the ball. Elbowing the dark-haired former Slytherin in the ribs as a bit of payback for his shot at Draco, she stuck out her tongue and raced toward her brothers, getting rid of the ball before Vincent could retaliate.
Charlie scored and her Mum called out. "That's the game then. Time to clean up and eat!"
Since no one was stupid enough to contradict her, the players deserted the field. Ginny jogged back to where Draco was slowly getting to her feet. "Ribs all right?"
Draco, who was holding his right side but not wanting to make any more of a fool out of himself than he already had simply nodded. "They're fine. We'd best hurry up or else we can kiss that Black Forest cake goodbye."
Ginny wanted to reach out, to check his side herself, but held off. She knew it would only irritate Draco to be coddled in any way. Biting the corner of her lip, she nodded. "All right, I'm off. See you in a bit."
She could have sworn she felt him watching her as she hurried into the house, but disregarded it. There was just no way he'd bother, friends or not.
-----
Almost a week after the 'family get-together', Draco Apparated to the Harpies practise pitch to deliver a message from the bride to the maid of honour. It wasn't even a message that was wedding related, though being written in Luna's mind-boggling short hand, one was never sure of what constituted being wedding-related anyhow. He wasn't entirely certain how errand boy fit into best man duties, but he hadn't wanted to go into that with Luna the same way he hadn't braved it the last two times he and Ginny had shared best man and maid of honour duties. They had it down to an art form, well most of the time they did.
Besides, he would use the message delivery as an excuse to talk to Ginny about the anniversary present that they had discussed last Sunday. He wanted to treat his cousin and her husband with a week away, but that meant someone would have to watch Teddy. Ginny had offered to help him out and he wanted to double check that she'd been serious and not just half-lit on the mead that had been passed around amongst the younger adults.
He leaned against the wall and waited for her to exit the locker room. He could admit, at least in the privacy of his own mind, that he never minded waiting for Ginny. He was used to it by now in fact. He was perpetually early just as she was always late. it was just another thing in which they were polar opposites. He pushed off the wall when he spotted her. "Ginny."
She looked up her smile widening and he couldn't help think -if only for a moment- that she was truly happy to see him. That he meant more than a friend or honorary brother. Brushing the thought away quickly, Draco put his hands in his pockets and tried to smile at the pretty witch. It just wasn't possible and he'd long ago accepted it. Mostly.
"Hiya, Draco," she said, dropping her bag at his feet. "I didn't expect to see you today. Recovered from the football match yet?"
"I've a message from Luna and something to discuss with you," he said, bypassing the small talk and ignoring the question about his 'injury'. His pride was still bruised that Vincent had managed to get a hit in at all.
She looked tired, and he wasn't selfish enough, well not when it came to her, to keep her standing around when she ought to be at home in bed. Groaning mentally at the unbidden images of Ginny in his bed that his mind so helpfully provided, he shook his head hoping to clear the mental pictures of her half naked, leaning over him and doing all sorts of inventive things to his body with her mouth. "Both can wait if you have someplace you need to be."
Her eyes narrowed playfully, as she asked, as she always did when he did or said something she deemed 'not evil'. "Who are you, and what did you do with the real Draco Malfoy?"
He laughed, he couldn't help it. No one else could tease him this way. Well, 'no one else bothered to tease him this way' was actually more accurate. "It is me, I just am trying the 'not such a bastard' thing out."
She snickered at his habitual response. "I was planning on take away and a pint or two; care to join me? You can pass on the message and such over the Guinness."
Hell yes! Can we have the conversation after we get naked in my bed, your bed, the couch, the kitchen table... Hoping that she didn't see his true reaction, he nodded and made the offer he knew she was waiting for. "My treat?"
Scooping up her bag and hooking it crosswise over her chest, she laughed again. "I'm hungry for Thai, what about you?"
As if she would say anything else. "Thai is fine. The usual?"
"Don't forget the Kao naio ma muang this time, please."
He very nearly rolled his eyes. He'd only forgotten once and that was only after she'd sent him to get food after he'd already been half-lit in the first place. That time, she'd insisted that he go out and get the dessert at nearly midnight.Since then he had made sure to order her dessert before anything else.
"I won't forget the dessert, I swear." One time in five years and she'd yet to let him forget it.
"All right," she said, eyeing him closely. "I'll trust you, just this once."
"Go on," he said teasingly. "I'm not dim enough to get between you and your food again. Don't drink all the stout without me."
She was still laughing as she Apparated, leaving him alone in the corridor. With a sigh, he Apparated into Nahm, the only Wizarding Thai restaurant in Britain. If he didn't know better, he would think that Ginny's choice of cuisine was some sort of twisted torture. It was no sooner than his feet hit the ground, that he was treated to a loud squeal. He turned, bracing for the expected onslaught as Astoria Greengrass- one of the witches his parents had tried to marry him off to- rushed out of the kitchen and embraced him. Her high-pitched voice and tendency to touch him as much as possible (and in the most inappropriate places) were two of the reasons he'd refused to consider the marriage contract even back at Hogwarts. He was attempting to untangle himself when Daphne appeared, smirking.
"Don't manhandle the customers, Astoria," she ordered before turning her attention to Draco. "Hello, Draco. The usual?"
"Hello, Daphne, and yes, the usual. Oh and don't-"
"Forget the < i>Kao naio ma muang," she said, cutting him off with a wave of her hand. "After five years of you showing up at least twice a month to order the same thing, you ought to know that I wouldn't."
He shrugged. "Forget the dessert once and you never live it down."
Daphne just laughed, retreating to the kitchen and leaving him to deal with her sister all alone. I always knew Daphne had an evil streak, he thought petulantly.
Astoria huffed, frowning as she crossed her arms over her chest. "So you're still at the Weasley chit's beck and call are you? How disappointed your parents would be to see what you've become, Draco."
He ignored the spiteful little brat, wondering- and not for the first time- if a banishing spell would work on her. He knew she was under the erroneous thought that he and Ginny were secretly dating and that he was too embarrassed to admit it publicly. If only the brat knew the truth.
He retreated to a far table, hoping Astoria would give up easily just this once and he couldn't help but wonder if Ginny had any idea what he put up with for her.
Ginny rushed through her shower, tugging on a black jumper and jeans. As she pulled a brush through her hair before plaiting it, she couldn't help but wonder if Draco had any clue about why she spent so much of her free time with him. Thinking of him in the most vivid and naughty ways possible. Didn't he notice that she didn't date, didn't go out clubbing unless forced to, and most certainly didn't let just anyone show up at her flat and make themselves at home? He was the only person other than family that was cleared to cross the wards automatically.
Barefoot, she padded through her townhouse, which coincidentally was a mere block from the townhouse Draco called home these days. She had justified the purchase by pointing out that it was one of the few upscale Wizarding neighbourhoods that provided a security detail for its residents when her Mum and her brothers protested her move from The Burrow. Ginny had figured that as a grown woman with a lucrative contract with one of the best Quidditch teams in the league, there was just no reason to live at home any longer. Honestly, though, she had needed to get out from under her Mum's thumb and away from the meddling. If she hadn't, Merlin only knew how far her mum would have gone with the matchmaking.
Shuddering at the memory of the last five blokes Molly had set her up with and the recent hints that 'Vincent's a lovely young man', Ginny set out two glasses, plates, and linen napkins. She knew that it would have been simpler (and kinder) if she'd gone to Nahm to order the take out, she preferred to let Draco do so. The one time they had gone into the Greengrass sisters' restaurant, she had been forced to watch as he'd been nearly mauled by Astoria after the bitch had nearly run Ginny down to get to him.
What Draco didn't know was that Ginny and Daphne had become cautious friends during the war, when both of them (and unfortunately Astoria) had been shuffled to the side in order to be 'protected' and Daphne had needed someone other than her dim-witted sister to talk to. She knew her friend wanted to see her happy, and if that meant torturing Draco with a reminder - in the form of Astoria- of what he'd escaped, then Daphne was more than happy to do so. According to Daphne, he had to see how good it would be with Ginny, especially after close contact with that vicious little harpy. Then again, Daphne had also advocated the one course of action Ginny wasn't brave enough to try- jumping Draco and shagging him silly until he admitted how good they could be together.
With a sigh, she flicked on the wireless and settled on the couch to wait. Brave little Lion she may be, but she wasn't quite brave enough to put herself out there that much.
So, she'd wait.
---
Draco managed to thwart Astoria's efforts to give him a 'proper' good-bye, ducking out the front door and making his way down the street. He liked the neighbourhood, which was almost a miniature version of Diagon Alley- though it was cleaner and had none of the dodgier aspects of that street. He'd chosen to relocate here because of the conveniences it provided that ranged from five restaurants and a liquor store to a highly trained security detail. Secretly, he'd been thrilled when Ginny had moved in five years back, adding a large bonus to why he wasn't all that fussed about restoring Malfoy Manor.
Tucking his coat close in deference to the stiff wind, he made his way to Ginny's. It wasn't all that far and Apparating would have been quicker, but he rather liked having the extra few minutes to rid himself of the feelings associated with having Astoria crawl all over him. He really, really loathed her. So much so that he felt as if he needed to bathe after being mauled by her. In fact, he had long ago decided that Ginny didn't think highly of her either and that was why he was always the one going for the takeaway.
He paused at the gate to Ginny's townhouse, the wards pulsing as he was recognised, and hurried in, glancing over his shoulder to see storm clouds brewing. He smiled sadly. The one thing he missed about living in the Manor was that he couldn't sit in the solarium and watch the storms.
Someday, he promised himself, someday there will be a reason to rebuild. A reason for me to live in that enormous home, one built for many children to play in. Shaking off his mood, he set the take away on the small foyer table and stripped off the coat and his boots, before calling out for Ginny. "Ginny?"
"I'm here," she said, appearing in the archway that led to the parlour. "I've the plates and everything set up in the breakfast nook. Did you-"
"Remember the dessert," he cut her off, picking up the take away and motioning for her to lead the way back to the kitchen. "Of course I did. Even if I didn't, I don't think Daphne would fail to put it in the bag anyway."
She opened the wine cooler- which she rarely used for wine- and pulled out two bottles of Guinness as he unpacked the bag of food. Draco couldn't help but smile. It was a constant mystery for most of their mutual friends as to how they got on so well. Her brothers had given up long ago, saying that she must have taken one too many Bludgers to the head.
He sat, scooping his food out of the boxes onto his plate, knowing better than to touch hers. She was still very quick with a wand and had proven many times that she wouldn't hesitate to hex him, friend or not.
"Thanks," he murmured, as she set the bottle next to his glass.
Once they'd eaten- chatting over inconsequential things as they did so-, they cleaned up the kitchen, and settled in the parlour in front of the fire. Ginny picked up where they'd left off over dinner. "So, the message from Luna, and the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?"
"The message from Luna, which I assumed wasn't time sensitive considering it is, 'Don't settle for Arthur, hold out for Lancelot'. Do you have any idea what the hell she is talking about?"
Her eyes widened and she ducked her head. He didn't miss the blush creeping over her cheeks. "She's been reading all the old tales, preparing for when she and Blaise have children, at least that is her excuse. I think she likes to be cryptic as it seems to amuse the hell out of Blaise."
His brow furrowed. That did sound like Luna-ish logic, but there was something more. Ginny was keeping something from him. If she didn't spill, he'd just pay a visit to Blaise and find out anyway. "So, why has she decided you are Guinevere then?"
Ginny sipped her stout, shrugging lightly. "Your guess is as good as mine. I'm not dating anyone, and last I knew there were no prospects for marriage in my future, so I say it was just Luna being Luna."
Had he been a lesser man, he would have winced. Did she really not see? His eyes were drawn toward the windows as he tried to think of a good way to respond, the lightening and pouring rain making him almost homesick. His reply was absentminded, "Yes, likely."
Ginny scooted closer to him, her head tipped to the side. "What is bothering you?"
He shrugged off the homesickness, not about to admit to a feeling he deemed childish. "Nothing. You know me; if it's storming I'm distracted."
She nodded, snapping her fingers in front of his face. "You had something you wanted to talk to me about. Will you, or are you going to wander out in the storm again? Should I get the hot cocoa started?"
He laughed half-heartedly. "I was just going to see if you really are up for helping with Teddy for the week if I go through with sending Tonks and Remus to the Bahamas for their anniversary."
She grinned, setting her drink aside and clapping her hands. "Of course I am! When can I get my hands on the little man? I've plans for that week, I'll have you know."
Amused, he poked her in the side. "Oh, do you now? What sort of plans?"
Ginny shifted, crossing her legs as she sat sideways on the couch. "I'm taking him to a Manchester United game, over to Pansy and Harry's to play with the kids, and you are going to bring him to the exhibition game the Harpies are playing in that week. It's against the Falcons. Oh, the twins want me to bring him by the shop, and Hagrid insists that I bring him to Hogwarts as well, he likes when the little guy visits."
"You've been busy planning haven't you?"
Her smile was wistful when she nodded. "You know me, I'm a sucker for other people's kids."
"You do know that this vacation is six months away, don't you?" he teased, ducking her arm a second later. They were both laughing when he playfully caught her around her waist and held her firmly as he tickled her ribs.
"I'm going to get you for this," she managed between her frequent bouts of laughter as she squirmed in his lap trying to escape.
"I'm sure you are," he retorted, finally letting loose of her, after he'd tucked her wand away of course. He wasn't stupid enough to think she wouldn't hex him the very second she could. He hoped to distract her, at least for a few minutes. He'd only let loose of her because the urge to give in and kiss her senseless had been almost too much to control, especially in the position that they were in. Her mouth was close enough that he could do so with very little effort. He truly didn't want to ruin their friendship. Hastily he got to his feet. "I- I should go. You've had a long day."
He backed towards the doorway, feeling like a fool but figured that being foolish was better than the alternative. He wanted Ginny, very much so, but not having her the way he wanted to was a whole lot easier when he could be around her as often as he liked even if she saw him as nothing more than a friend. "I'll talk to you later."
He Apparated from her foyer to his a moment later, wondering if he'd just royally screwed everything up as he headed straight for the liquor.
---
Ginny was miserable. There was no other word to describe it. For a week she did nothing but go to practise and come home to wallow. She didn't reply to any owls, she'd disconnected the Floo, and owled out for take away - and not take away from Nahm since she knew the food would arrive with notes from Daphne asking all the questions that Ginny just didn't want to think about right now.
She just didn't understand what had happened. She and Draco had been playing around just like they always did and he'd run fast and far. What the hell was that all about? All she could think was that he had been horrified when he realised that she'd almost kissed him and had rushed to get as far away as possible.
Hefting her bag over her shoulder, she stepped out of the locker room only to stop short. Confused at just what in Merlin's name Vincent could be doing here, she stopped right where she was. It wasn't as if she feared him- much to his chagrin- but that she knew someone had been meddling. The only question was who. "Vincent, what brings you to Holyhead?"
He laughed. "If I said the view from the beach, would you believe me? Or that I made a mistake Apparating to a pub I frequent?"
She scowled. "I'm disappointed in you. I expected better excuses."
He shrugged. "If you promise not to hex me bald, I'll give you the speech I was instructed to give and leave you alone. Deal?"
She dropped her bag and pulled her wand. "That all depends. Who sent you and why do you even have a speech for me in the first place?"
He held his hands up. "Put down the wand, Ginny. Your mother has it in her head that since you've made no effort to date, that the two of us should give it a go. I tried to tell her that you had your sights set elsewhere, but she didn't believe me. So, here I am daring your wrath by asking you to go out with me."
"I should hex you," she replied angrily. "I don't need pity dates or my mother matchmaking for me. "
"I know you don't," he said calmly.
Had she not known exactly what role he'd played in the war she would believe all the rumours that he was indeed as stupid as he seemed by showing up and giving her this spiel. But, she knew that the mercenary standing before her only feared two people- Severus Snape and Molly Weasley. She wasn't even sure that it was fear, but more like enormous amounts of respect he felt for her mum and Severus. "Then why are you here?"
Vincent grinned wickedly. "Because, I think I can help you get a certain blond to admit his feelings."
She sighed with impatience. She wasn't dumb enough to deny the truth of his words. "Go on, Vincent, before I decide to hex the information out of you."
"Not here," he retorted. "Meet me at Luna's."
"All right." But he was already gone. "Bloody arrogant Slytherins," she grumbled even as she prepared to Apparate.
---
"What the hell is going on?" Draco demanded, glaring across the table, his own kitchen table, at his so-called friends.
Blaise grinned cheekily. "I just do what my wife-to-be tells me to do. She said to come here and tell you that you'll lose Ginny forever if you don't do something. I was enjoying myself the last few years; the two of you weren't fooling anyone. But apparently Molly has decided that it's past time for her to step in."
Pansy rolled her eyes. "I was asked to tell you that Arthur is in place, Lancelot. Will you desert the field?"
"I am appalled that I was talked into this," Severus said blandly. "That and I had a hefty bet on the outcome of this. If any of you dare let that information slip out you will face my wrath."
"Is that what her cryptic message was about?" Draco asked, trying to sort through the information. "What the hell do you mean you had a bet going, Severus?"
Blaise sighed, as if he was highly disappointed. "That is your concern? The one woman you've been lusting after for years is soon going to be out of reach and you're worried about a bet and Luna's sense of humour?"
Draco glared, hard. "No, but I don't think the lot of you meddling in this is the wisest course of action. I've half a mind to sit back and watch Ginny hex all of you once she finds out about this little plan."
Everyone but Severus cringed. Draco gained a small bit of satisfaction that they still properly feared Ginny, but, belatedly he realised that someone was missing. "Where is Vincent?"
"I should go," Pansy said, getting to her feet slowly and laying her hand over her very pregnant stomach. "I promised Harry I wouldn't be gone long."
Blaise was up and out the door before Pansy had completely stood. "Going now," he called over his shoulder, Apparating before Draco could get a hex off.
Left with Severus, Draco raked his hand through his hair. "I don't want to know how you got involved in this, Severus. I truly don't. You are going to share what you know, yes?"
Severus shook his head. "No, I'm not. I've said what I came to say and now I'm leaving. I have always said that you were a bright young man, Draco. Don't go making me a liar."
Draco didn't bother to reply. He waited until the wards pulsed, signalling that he was alone to bury his face in his hands. He allowed himself a moment to wallow in his stupidity before he started planning.
---
Ginny nearly tripped over Vincent when she appeared in front of Luna's home. She had to admit that he wasn't a bad looking guy, at least not these days. He'd lost that hulking, blundering look he'd had at Hogwarts and, if she were forced to admit it, he was the type that would get her attention- well at least rate a second look. But, she was already arse over broomstick for Draco so until this very minute she'd not bothered to really look at Vincent.
He set her back on her feet with a wry smile. "You know, if you tried that move with Draco, he'd have reacted differently."
She shook her head. "Nice try. I thought I'd given you enough time to get out of the way."
"Vincent, Ginny, are you two finally here?" Luna called from the kitchen.
"Yes," Ginny replied, hurrying toward one of her oldest friends. "You have a lot of explaining to do, Luna."
Luna just grinned. "Give me a break, Gin. This is the first time I've tried going against your mother's wishes. I'm just learning how this whole matchmaking thing works."
"Likely story," Ginny grumbled, pulling out one of the chairs and dropping into it. "Don't think I don't know all about how you bat your eyelashes at Blaise and get him to do your bidding all the time. Who else but you would think to toss my brother Charlie and Roger Davies together? Most of the family hadn't figured out he even preferred men when you did that bit of meddling."
Luna smiled dreamily. "And they are happy aren't they? Though, I think that was more Blaise's attempt at payback for something Davies did to him back in school. He never did think it would work, always muttering about Davies being dragon food in the end."
Vincent snickered. "It wasn't Blaise that Davies brassed off, but I digress. This little meeting is about Mrs. Weasely's meddling, not Luna's."
"Both of them," Ginny corrected him sullenly, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why can't everyone allow me to muddle along on my own?"
"Because, you and Draco mucked it up royally," Luna said in that exasperated tone she'd mastered over the last few years. Ginny had never heard it used on anyone but Blaise before.
"We did not," Ginny protested, even though it sounded hollow even to her own ears. She couldn't deny that she was currently miserable, worried that she'd ruined everything with Draco and not sure how to even go about fixing it. As mental as it sounded, maybe listening to what Luna had to say wouldn't hurt. "All right, go ahead."
"Well," Luna began as she poured the tea. "What you need to do is simple."
Exasperated with herself, with Luna, with the entire situation, Ginny snapped, "If it is so simple then why do I need advice about it?"
"Because you haven't even considered it as an option," Luna retorted dryly.
"So, what is it?" Ginny said when it was clear that Luna wasn't saying anything more.
"Go on a date with me," Vincent supplied.
"What?" Ginny said, blinking in shock. "I thought that was a joke!"
Vincent winced. "Don't hold back on what you truly feel, Ginny."
"I didn't mean it like that," she insisted, nearly giving in and screaming in frustration. "I just don't get why you think this will work. I mean, doesn't that violate some male code or something?"
"Rule one, actually," Blaise said, stepping into the kitchen. "But this wouldn't be a real date and we Slytherins usually disregard the rules anyway."
"I can't believe you are going along with this, Blaise," Ginny said, shaking her finger, and to her horror, doing a fair imitation of her mother. She dropped her hand with a wince. "Sorry, didn't mean to sound like Mum."
Blaise snickered, ducking behind Luna. "You said it, Ginny. No hexing. Now, are you going to listen to reason or what?"
"I'm thinking that 'or what' sounds like my best option," she said mulishly. "This just seems wrong."
"Ever the Gryff," Vincent said, shaking his head. "I told you she wouldn't go for it. Ah well, Astoria will be ecstatic to know that her competition has bowed out."
Ginny sighed heavily. "I don't have time for this you know. Hermione and Severus' wedding is this weekend and I still have tons of stuff to do for your," she said pointing irritably at Luna and Blaise, "wedding in three weeks. Plus, I've games and practises. Oh, and I'm taking Teddy to the Zoo next week. When the hell do I have time to plot?"
"You could leave the plotting to us," Vincent suggested dryly. "Just show up when and where you are supposed to."
She shook her head, wary about this whole plan but not quite willing to turn down the help. Who knew how long it would be if she and Draco were left to their own devices. She wasn't even certain he had those sorts of feelings for her. That right there was what was holding her back. Did Draco feel the same way she did? Was it possible? "How do I know I'm not going to be making a fool out of myself?"
Blaise scoffed. "Trust us, will you? When have you ever known Slytherins to step up if it isn't a sure bet?"
Ginny smiled, he had a really good point. "Fine. I'm leaving now. Owl me with the particulars."
She didn't see the sly looks exchanged and had she done so, Ginny would have run like hell. As it was she had no idea what the real plan for herself and Draco entailed.
---
"Well?"
Luna grinned, pouring Molly Weasley a cup of tea as she replied. "They both fell for it, just like you said they would."
Molly chuckled as she sipped her tea, her gaze sliding to the silent man leaning against the counter top with his arms crossed over his chest, looking less than amused. "Vincent?"
Vincent rolled his eyes. "You two want me laid up in St. Mungo's don't you?"
Luna shook her head sadly. "And here I thought you were a big bad Slytherin. Just go and do what you are supposed to."
Vincent pushed off the counter with a large sigh. "Promise me one thing?"
Both women shared a look of confusion as he explained.
"I'd like a traditional wake, if you don't mind."
Luna covered her mouth with both hands, trying to hold in her giggles. Slytherin men were so over dramatic and high-maintenance. Every last one of them needed a good woman (or man in Vincent's case) to look after them.
Molly just smiled. "There will be no need to plan your wake, Vincent."
Vincent pulled his wand and prepared to Apparate to Draco's townhouse, as he blinked out of sight, he muttered, "So you say."
--
Severus winced at volume of his fiancée's displeasure. He hadn't meant for her to catch him making the Veritaserum, truly he hadn't. He rather thought the whole plan was ridiculous, but no one, not even himself, dared argue with Molly Weasley. So, he waited, calmly spiking the bottles that Blaise had 'borrowed' from the part of Malfoy Manor that was still standing.
Resealing the last wine bottle, he realised that Hermione was no longer screaming at him. Turning slowly, his brows shot up when he saw that she was filling and capping the vials marked 'for Daphne'. "You are helping?"
Hermione sniffed and squared her shoulders. "I most certainly am not, and should anyone hint that I had any knowledge of this you will be on the couch for a month. Molly's couch specifically."
Chuckling from the doorway caused Severus to whirl around only to see Daphne and Vincent looking utterly amused. "You two are early. Why is that?"
Vincent sobered. "If I'm going to die I may as well get it over with." He held out a bottle of Jameson. "Spike this one as well? If we're to do this we might as well do so properly."
"There was nothing in Molly's plans about this," Severus retorted sternly. "Are you prepared to face her wrath if the plan is compromised?"
Vincent laughed. "Oh no, this is for my own use if I survive the plan. Molly can wax philosophical about not getting anything out of this but the happiness of my friend, but I'm no Gryffindor. Either I get something out of this or I enact my wartime Plan B and go into hiding until Molly isn't out for my head any longer."
"Oh, just do it," Hermione grumbled, collecting the vials. "I'm off with Daphne to spike the food, though I still don't understand why Molly thinks they will eat or drink anything provided by their kidnappers."
She got as far as the door before she stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Vincent, I have the utmost confidence that you won't be speaking about my involvement."
Daphne's grin widened and took on a slightly wicked edge. "I'm not above slipping Astoria a love potion aimed at you, Vincent."
Vincent and Severus winced as Vincent muttered, "Damn, that is positively evil."
Hermione shrugged. "As long as I don't have Ginny and Draco hexing me, I'm fine with 'evil'." She turned to Daphne. "Let's get this over with."
Daphne mockingly waved as she followed Hermione out the door.
--
Draco didn't realise something was wrong until the room around him started to spin. For the past three days he had been trying to figure out what to do- about Ginny, about the meddling, about everything really. "Blaise!" he protested. "What did you do?"
Blaise caught him as his eyes rolled back and Draco could have sworn he heard his friend respond, "Nothing you won't end up thanking me for."
Chuckling, Vincent stepped into the parlour and helped Blaise get Draco upright. "Once again, I have to say I'm grateful that Molly hasn't set her matchmaking eye on me."
If you only knew you were next, Blaise thought as he activated the Portkey that would deliver all three of them to Malfoy Manor.
--
Ginny opened her door, surprised to find Bill standing there. "Bill? What in Merlin's name are you doing here?"
Bill shivered. "Can I explain inside?"
Ginny stepped aside and closed the door after him, still trying to puzzle through his sudden appearance. "Explain. I thought you were still in France for the goblins."
Bill removed his gloves, hat, and scarf, shaking his head. "Mum asked me to look over Malfoy Manor and assess what needed done to set it to rights."
Confused, Ginny couldn't help but say, "And? What does this have to do with me?"
"Draco is one of your best friends. I was hoping you would go out there with me. I thought he would be less pissy about you tromping through his ancestral home than anyone else."
"Now?" she asked, glancing out the window at the steady fall of snow. "As in, right this minute?"
Smiling sheepishly, Bill nodded. "Mum thinks that he misses his home more than even he knows. Will you help me?"
"Of course," she said, turning to retrieve her winter coat, hat, and gloves. "Are we Portkeying or Apparating?"
"Portkey," Bill said, tossing her a small statue, which she caught neatly. He nearly laughed as the Portkey activated, transporting her before Ginny realised what was going on. "Have fun!" he said cheerily.
Laughing, he Apparated to The Burrow to inform his Mum that he'd done his part. Honestly, he was rather disappointed to miss the show. His baby sister never had been even-tempered.
--
Ginny was cussing Bill creatively, and with a great deal of enthusiasm, as she made her way through Malfoy Manor by the light of the single candle that had been burning in the room she had landed in. Her wand was back at her townhouse, sitting on the kitchen table to be exact. She hadn't expected to need it and hadn't exactly been warned about the Portkey.
She nearly dropped the candle as she entered the solarium and saw Draco laid out on the remains of the sofa. She ran across the room, setting the candle on the floor next to Draco. Cautiously, she shook him. "Draco?"
He groaned, slowly opening his eyes. His voice was rough as he whispered," Ginny?"
She looked around and spotted a small, dusty wine rack. "Don't talk until I get you something to drink."
He nodded, pushing himself semi-upright and running a hand over his face.
She hurried over and uncorked the first bottle she grabbed as she tried to figure out just what they should do. It was obvious that the wards had been changed- hence the Portkey. She knew Bill was one of the best curse breakers in the word and that meant whatever he had done to the wards would not be easily changed. In short, they were stuck. She knelt in front of Draco, holding out the bottle. "Here, take a sip. There were no glasses, I'm sorry."
Draco took the bottle warily. "Blaise is dead," he declared before drinking the wine.
Ginny didn't laugh as she usually would have. He wasn't joking and she rather thought that Blaise should go into hiding before they managed to escape. Laying a hand on Draco's arm, she asked, "Does your throat feel better?"
"Yes," he replied easily, taking another small sip. "You do know that this is some sort of matchmaking plot, don't you?"
He blinked in shock. He hadn't meant to tell her that. What the fuck was going on? Then his jaw dropped. He knew what had happened. And he wasn't about to say another word. Merlin only knew what he might say. He hoped he hadn't ingested too much Veritaserum, and that it would wear off before he did something stupid like confess that he was in love with Ginny. It was something he knew she didn't want to hear.
Ginny tipped her head to the side, brow furrowed in confusion. "What matchmaking? Or rather who?"
"Everyone," he said, forgetting the whole 'I've been given truth serum' part of this situation. "Fuck!"
Ginny reached out, laying her hand on his forehead. "Are you ill? What did Blaise give you?"
"Sleeping Draught," he said bitterly, not able to overcome the compulsion to tell the truth.
Ginny nodded slowly, still confused as hell, and taking a sip of the wine.
"Ginny!" Draco exclaimed, making a grab for the bottle. "You don't want to drink that."
She held the bottle away from him. "Why shouldn't I? This isn't the first bottle of wine we've shared." Her eyes widened as she heard herself say, "Nor is it the first time I've wanted to crawl on your lap and snog you senseless while drinking a bottle of your wine."
Draco was silent for a long minute as he took in that information. Apparently he wasn't the only one with more than friendly feelings. "If you want to crawl on my lap, I promise not to complain. I can't promise I'll stop before we're both exhausted and naked."
Ginny set the bottle aside, fully aware now that they had been given some sort of truth serum. She wasn't going to complain just yet. Later, there would be retribution for kidnapping and drugging them, but right now she was going to take advantage of the situation. Straddling him, she smirked. "You think we'll find drugged food as well?"
Wickedly, Draco slid his hand up under the hem of her shirt. "Knowing your mother, Severus, and the rest of them, yeah, I think so."
Ginny leaned in, chuckling. "I should have known it wasn't as simple as making you jealous by dating Vincent."
His hands stilled and his eyes narrowed. He didn't like that plan, not at all. Vincent would have to be reminded of the friend code. Well, not now obviously. Later. Much later. There were still beds in the Manor. Beds he was planning on getting Ginny in as soon as he could. "That was the plan, was it?"
Ginny kissed him slowly, nipping gently at his bottom lip before pulling back enough to say, "Yes, that was the plan I was informed of. Double bluff, priceless."
"Right now I am thinking that baking them a cake is more appropriate, but that would be the serum talking." Gripping her around the waist, Draco shifted so he could get to his feet, keeping Ginny right where she was. "We'll pay them all back. Now though, I'd like to give you the naked tour of Malfoy Manor. You up for that?"
Ginny laughed, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Damn straight I am. I've been waiting years for this tour."
He turned, leaning her against the wall, his mouth covering hers as his hands worked the buttons of her blouse. She wasn't the only one who had been waiting for years. He hoped none of their kidnappers popped in to check on them; they had a lot of time to make up for.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Briefly describe what you'd like to receive in your fic Ginny and Draco post Hogwarts.
The tone/mood of the fic: I'm flexible; something funny, angsty, vignettey, whatever the author feels like writing.
An element/line of dialogue/object you would like in your fic: Soccer, or football, as it'd be known in England!
Preferred rating of the the fic you want: No preference.
Canon or AU? No preference.
Deal Breakers (anything you don't want?): I'd prefer one of them not die in a horrible tragedy.
Author: airmidm
Rating: PG-13
Possible Spoilers/Warnings: None that I can think of.
Author's Notes: Pretty much AU. Tonks, Lupin, Snape and Fred aren't dead.
Summary: Molly Weasley has decided that everyone needs to be paired up two-by-two. Draco and Ginny are her latest targets.
Wicked Game
It was enough to drive a man to drink, Draco decided, Apparating to the London townhouse he'd purchased when Malfoy Manor had been all but destroyed in the war, after another stag night. Why Blaise had insisted on hosting yet another bachelor party at a Muggle club considering the groom, Severus, loathed the Muggle world- was beyond Draco's comprehension. But, he'd gone; just like he'd gone to the last four stag nights. At least he was finished with them. For a while at least. Who knew when another friend or pseudo-family member would decide that now was the perfect time to marry? In fact, preparations for Luna and Blaise's marriage were already underway.
The fact that any of them wanted to be tied down was a hot topic in Draco's mind as of late. He shucked his shirt and shoes, crossing the sitting room toward his bedroom, sighing heavily. If one more person decided to corner him and give him a speech on settling down he would revert to the spoilt childish behaviour he'd been known for at Hogwarts and throw a fit regardless of location.
"I like being single," he muttered, dropping his trousers in a pile next to the bed before climbing under the Egyptian cotton sheets. He hoped to sleep off the alcohol because he was expected at a 'family get-together' and he knew from experience that Molly Weasley most certainly did not fear his wrath. In fact, secretly Draco feared hers. He couldn't dare show up visibly hung-over. Why Pansy had married into that family was something Draco would never understand. Not even nearly seven years later.
Punching his pillow, Draco rolled and forced himself to sleep. Maybe tonight he'd not dream of brown eyes and a fiery fall of red hair.
--
He arrived fifteen minutes early, gift in hand. He scanned the gathered crowd looking for Pansy, Blaise, Tonks, or even Severus. Someone safe at least.
"Draco!"
He turned and mentally cheered at the sight of Ginny crossing the garden with what he now knew, thanks to the plethora of children who were all too happy to explain the game to him, was a football. She'd pulled her long mane of curls up into a tight bun and was dressed appropriately for the occasion- which was to say not formally at all. Jeans, jumpers, and trainers were the wisest choices when one considered just how rowdy this lot could be. "Ginny, you beat me here. Where is the gift table this time?"
"Mum Floo'd me earlier and asked me to come help keep the children occupied." She laughed, tucking her free hand in the crook of his arm as she led him around toward the low garden wall. "Luna insisted that Mum put it back here. Don't ask," she warned, grinning, "you really don't want to know why. Severus and Hermione decided that even though it was their day, an explanation was not necessary."
He shook his head and set the box carefully on the table with the rest. "I'm sure I don't. Are there any other surprises I need to know about?"
Ginny shook her head. "Not a one. The rest of the day should run as usual. However, you are expected to play football later, like it or not. Mum decreed that anyone who refuses won't be taking part in the Quidditch match tonight and won't get any dessert."
Draco groaned. Missing the Quidditch match he could have handled just fine, but the threat of withholding the best Black Forest cake ever was the real blow. Thus far, he'd managed to get out of playing the Muggle sport with one excuse or another, but he should have known his luck was running out. In fact, he rather feared that he was Molly's newest target in her grand scheme of pairing everyone off. She was ruthless in a way that his late mother would have been proud of.
"Mum is in the kitchen; if she finds out you didn't say hello the moment you got here, she'll put you on dish duty," Ginny teased, tugging him toward the back door.
Draco allowed himself to be pulled along, thinking back on the convoluted circumstances that had brought him into the oddest, most multi-faceted 'family' that had ever been gathered together. Parts of it were still hazy as the people involved refused to discuss it, no matter how much alcohol he'd plied them with, damn it all. Regardless, Vincent had thrown his lot in with Dumbledore, Pansy had fallen in love with Potter, and Molly had taken care of the rest- insisting that everyone deserved a second chance and more importantly a family. He'd apparently counted twice over, seeing as Tonks was his only surviving family and he'd been made an orphan by Voldemort.
"Hey," Ginny whispered, tugging lightly on his arm. "If Mum sees that expression on your face, you won't make it out of the kitchen, you know."
He hastily pulled up his mask, hoping that Molly would be too busy with preparations to notice. That woman could sniff out a falsehood as quickly as Severus, and that was saying something. Ginny slipped away just as they reached the door and Draco envied her for it. Wishing he could flee, he braced himself and stepped into the kitchen. His eyes went wide. There just simply wasn't enough training, even given his Slytherin upbringing, to prepare him for the sight before him. Molly was at the stove, waving her wand this way and that while looking over her shoulder every few moments, no doubt checking on Vincent's progress peeling what looked to be enough potatoes to feed a large army.
"Draco!" Vincent said, smirking evilly, levitating another potato that he quickly peeled with a spell. "Good to see you, mate. I was just telling Mrs. Weasley that a bit of help with the potatoes would be brilliant."
Molly whirled, rushing over to envelop him in a hug. Draco awkwardly hugged her back, mouthing over her shoulder at Vincent, "I will kill you later for this."
Shortly, and after being fussed over thoroughly, Draco found himself seated next to Vincent. Oh, there would be severe repercussions. Well, as soon as he could think of something horrible enough. For now though, he would do his best to make the day as annoying as possible for his friend. "Molly, I've decided to play in the football match today. Don't you think Vincent should as well?"
"Oh, you bastard," Vincent hissed softly.
Molly turned, no doubt to reprimand Vincent, when they were saved by Tonks and Remus entering the busy kitchen. Draco set his wand aside, catching his nephew before Teddy could upend the large stack of potatoes.
"Uncle Draco!" Teddy exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Draco's neck and planting himself firmly in Draco's lap.
Vincent chuckled, but dutifully continued on with his task.
Draco smiled, genuinely happy to see his cousin and her son. Her husband, well, him Draco was still getting used to. If he had one fear left over from childhood it was werewolves. He and Remus had a tentative peace accord, one in which they agreed to stay clear of one another as often as possible for Tonks' sake. Draco shifted Teddy more comfortably on his lap, knowing full well that the boy wasn't going to be moving anytime soon.
It was going to be a long day. But, at least Teddy would keep Draco's mind off of the one woman he knew no one would be pleased to know he couldn't stop thinking about.
--
They were playing the game and Ginny couldn't take her eyes off Draco, though she truly did try and hide her fascination with him. It was obvious, even though they'd become quite good friends in the past seven years or so, that he saw her just as he did Pansy- a friend, a sister even. Disheartening, for sure, but just because she wasn't about to tell him she'd had a crush on him for years, that didn't mean she was ready to give up on Draco just yet.
She winced as the football slammed into his stomach, rushing across the makeshift field to fight Vincent for the ball. Elbowing the dark-haired former Slytherin in the ribs as a bit of payback for his shot at Draco, she stuck out her tongue and raced toward her brothers, getting rid of the ball before Vincent could retaliate.
Charlie scored and her Mum called out. "That's the game then. Time to clean up and eat!"
Since no one was stupid enough to contradict her, the players deserted the field. Ginny jogged back to where Draco was slowly getting to her feet. "Ribs all right?"
Draco, who was holding his right side but not wanting to make any more of a fool out of himself than he already had simply nodded. "They're fine. We'd best hurry up or else we can kiss that Black Forest cake goodbye."
Ginny wanted to reach out, to check his side herself, but held off. She knew it would only irritate Draco to be coddled in any way. Biting the corner of her lip, she nodded. "All right, I'm off. See you in a bit."
She could have sworn she felt him watching her as she hurried into the house, but disregarded it. There was just no way he'd bother, friends or not.
-----
Almost a week after the 'family get-together', Draco Apparated to the Harpies practise pitch to deliver a message from the bride to the maid of honour. It wasn't even a message that was wedding related, though being written in Luna's mind-boggling short hand, one was never sure of what constituted being wedding-related anyhow. He wasn't entirely certain how errand boy fit into best man duties, but he hadn't wanted to go into that with Luna the same way he hadn't braved it the last two times he and Ginny had shared best man and maid of honour duties. They had it down to an art form, well most of the time they did.
Besides, he would use the message delivery as an excuse to talk to Ginny about the anniversary present that they had discussed last Sunday. He wanted to treat his cousin and her husband with a week away, but that meant someone would have to watch Teddy. Ginny had offered to help him out and he wanted to double check that she'd been serious and not just half-lit on the mead that had been passed around amongst the younger adults.
He leaned against the wall and waited for her to exit the locker room. He could admit, at least in the privacy of his own mind, that he never minded waiting for Ginny. He was used to it by now in fact. He was perpetually early just as she was always late. it was just another thing in which they were polar opposites. He pushed off the wall when he spotted her. "Ginny."
She looked up her smile widening and he couldn't help think -if only for a moment- that she was truly happy to see him. That he meant more than a friend or honorary brother. Brushing the thought away quickly, Draco put his hands in his pockets and tried to smile at the pretty witch. It just wasn't possible and he'd long ago accepted it. Mostly.
"Hiya, Draco," she said, dropping her bag at his feet. "I didn't expect to see you today. Recovered from the football match yet?"
"I've a message from Luna and something to discuss with you," he said, bypassing the small talk and ignoring the question about his 'injury'. His pride was still bruised that Vincent had managed to get a hit in at all.
She looked tired, and he wasn't selfish enough, well not when it came to her, to keep her standing around when she ought to be at home in bed. Groaning mentally at the unbidden images of Ginny in his bed that his mind so helpfully provided, he shook his head hoping to clear the mental pictures of her half naked, leaning over him and doing all sorts of inventive things to his body with her mouth. "Both can wait if you have someplace you need to be."
Her eyes narrowed playfully, as she asked, as she always did when he did or said something she deemed 'not evil'. "Who are you, and what did you do with the real Draco Malfoy?"
He laughed, he couldn't help it. No one else could tease him this way. Well, 'no one else bothered to tease him this way' was actually more accurate. "It is me, I just am trying the 'not such a bastard' thing out."
She snickered at his habitual response. "I was planning on take away and a pint or two; care to join me? You can pass on the message and such over the Guinness."
Hell yes! Can we have the conversation after we get naked in my bed, your bed, the couch, the kitchen table... Hoping that she didn't see his true reaction, he nodded and made the offer he knew she was waiting for. "My treat?"
Scooping up her bag and hooking it crosswise over her chest, she laughed again. "I'm hungry for Thai, what about you?"
As if she would say anything else. "Thai is fine. The usual?"
"Don't forget the Kao naio ma muang this time, please."
He very nearly rolled his eyes. He'd only forgotten once and that was only after she'd sent him to get food after he'd already been half-lit in the first place. That time, she'd insisted that he go out and get the dessert at nearly midnight.Since then he had made sure to order her dessert before anything else.
"I won't forget the dessert, I swear." One time in five years and she'd yet to let him forget it.
"All right," she said, eyeing him closely. "I'll trust you, just this once."
"Go on," he said teasingly. "I'm not dim enough to get between you and your food again. Don't drink all the stout without me."
She was still laughing as she Apparated, leaving him alone in the corridor. With a sigh, he Apparated into Nahm, the only Wizarding Thai restaurant in Britain. If he didn't know better, he would think that Ginny's choice of cuisine was some sort of twisted torture. It was no sooner than his feet hit the ground, that he was treated to a loud squeal. He turned, bracing for the expected onslaught as Astoria Greengrass- one of the witches his parents had tried to marry him off to- rushed out of the kitchen and embraced him. Her high-pitched voice and tendency to touch him as much as possible (and in the most inappropriate places) were two of the reasons he'd refused to consider the marriage contract even back at Hogwarts. He was attempting to untangle himself when Daphne appeared, smirking.
"Don't manhandle the customers, Astoria," she ordered before turning her attention to Draco. "Hello, Draco. The usual?"
"Hello, Daphne, and yes, the usual. Oh and don't-"
"Forget the < i>Kao naio ma muang," she said, cutting him off with a wave of her hand. "After five years of you showing up at least twice a month to order the same thing, you ought to know that I wouldn't."
He shrugged. "Forget the dessert once and you never live it down."
Daphne just laughed, retreating to the kitchen and leaving him to deal with her sister all alone. I always knew Daphne had an evil streak, he thought petulantly.
Astoria huffed, frowning as she crossed her arms over her chest. "So you're still at the Weasley chit's beck and call are you? How disappointed your parents would be to see what you've become, Draco."
He ignored the spiteful little brat, wondering- and not for the first time- if a banishing spell would work on her. He knew she was under the erroneous thought that he and Ginny were secretly dating and that he was too embarrassed to admit it publicly. If only the brat knew the truth.
He retreated to a far table, hoping Astoria would give up easily just this once and he couldn't help but wonder if Ginny had any idea what he put up with for her.
Ginny rushed through her shower, tugging on a black jumper and jeans. As she pulled a brush through her hair before plaiting it, she couldn't help but wonder if Draco had any clue about why she spent so much of her free time with him. Thinking of him in the most vivid and naughty ways possible. Didn't he notice that she didn't date, didn't go out clubbing unless forced to, and most certainly didn't let just anyone show up at her flat and make themselves at home? He was the only person other than family that was cleared to cross the wards automatically.
Barefoot, she padded through her townhouse, which coincidentally was a mere block from the townhouse Draco called home these days. She had justified the purchase by pointing out that it was one of the few upscale Wizarding neighbourhoods that provided a security detail for its residents when her Mum and her brothers protested her move from The Burrow. Ginny had figured that as a grown woman with a lucrative contract with one of the best Quidditch teams in the league, there was just no reason to live at home any longer. Honestly, though, she had needed to get out from under her Mum's thumb and away from the meddling. If she hadn't, Merlin only knew how far her mum would have gone with the matchmaking.
Shuddering at the memory of the last five blokes Molly had set her up with and the recent hints that 'Vincent's a lovely young man', Ginny set out two glasses, plates, and linen napkins. She knew that it would have been simpler (and kinder) if she'd gone to Nahm to order the take out, she preferred to let Draco do so. The one time they had gone into the Greengrass sisters' restaurant, she had been forced to watch as he'd been nearly mauled by Astoria after the bitch had nearly run Ginny down to get to him.
What Draco didn't know was that Ginny and Daphne had become cautious friends during the war, when both of them (and unfortunately Astoria) had been shuffled to the side in order to be 'protected' and Daphne had needed someone other than her dim-witted sister to talk to. She knew her friend wanted to see her happy, and if that meant torturing Draco with a reminder - in the form of Astoria- of what he'd escaped, then Daphne was more than happy to do so. According to Daphne, he had to see how good it would be with Ginny, especially after close contact with that vicious little harpy. Then again, Daphne had also advocated the one course of action Ginny wasn't brave enough to try- jumping Draco and shagging him silly until he admitted how good they could be together.
With a sigh, she flicked on the wireless and settled on the couch to wait. Brave little Lion she may be, but she wasn't quite brave enough to put herself out there that much.
So, she'd wait.
---
Draco managed to thwart Astoria's efforts to give him a 'proper' good-bye, ducking out the front door and making his way down the street. He liked the neighbourhood, which was almost a miniature version of Diagon Alley- though it was cleaner and had none of the dodgier aspects of that street. He'd chosen to relocate here because of the conveniences it provided that ranged from five restaurants and a liquor store to a highly trained security detail. Secretly, he'd been thrilled when Ginny had moved in five years back, adding a large bonus to why he wasn't all that fussed about restoring Malfoy Manor.
Tucking his coat close in deference to the stiff wind, he made his way to Ginny's. It wasn't all that far and Apparating would have been quicker, but he rather liked having the extra few minutes to rid himself of the feelings associated with having Astoria crawl all over him. He really, really loathed her. So much so that he felt as if he needed to bathe after being mauled by her. In fact, he had long ago decided that Ginny didn't think highly of her either and that was why he was always the one going for the takeaway.
He paused at the gate to Ginny's townhouse, the wards pulsing as he was recognised, and hurried in, glancing over his shoulder to see storm clouds brewing. He smiled sadly. The one thing he missed about living in the Manor was that he couldn't sit in the solarium and watch the storms.
Someday, he promised himself, someday there will be a reason to rebuild. A reason for me to live in that enormous home, one built for many children to play in. Shaking off his mood, he set the take away on the small foyer table and stripped off the coat and his boots, before calling out for Ginny. "Ginny?"
"I'm here," she said, appearing in the archway that led to the parlour. "I've the plates and everything set up in the breakfast nook. Did you-"
"Remember the dessert," he cut her off, picking up the take away and motioning for her to lead the way back to the kitchen. "Of course I did. Even if I didn't, I don't think Daphne would fail to put it in the bag anyway."
She opened the wine cooler- which she rarely used for wine- and pulled out two bottles of Guinness as he unpacked the bag of food. Draco couldn't help but smile. It was a constant mystery for most of their mutual friends as to how they got on so well. Her brothers had given up long ago, saying that she must have taken one too many Bludgers to the head.
He sat, scooping his food out of the boxes onto his plate, knowing better than to touch hers. She was still very quick with a wand and had proven many times that she wouldn't hesitate to hex him, friend or not.
"Thanks," he murmured, as she set the bottle next to his glass.
Once they'd eaten- chatting over inconsequential things as they did so-, they cleaned up the kitchen, and settled in the parlour in front of the fire. Ginny picked up where they'd left off over dinner. "So, the message from Luna, and the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?"
"The message from Luna, which I assumed wasn't time sensitive considering it is, 'Don't settle for Arthur, hold out for Lancelot'. Do you have any idea what the hell she is talking about?"
Her eyes widened and she ducked her head. He didn't miss the blush creeping over her cheeks. "She's been reading all the old tales, preparing for when she and Blaise have children, at least that is her excuse. I think she likes to be cryptic as it seems to amuse the hell out of Blaise."
His brow furrowed. That did sound like Luna-ish logic, but there was something more. Ginny was keeping something from him. If she didn't spill, he'd just pay a visit to Blaise and find out anyway. "So, why has she decided you are Guinevere then?"
Ginny sipped her stout, shrugging lightly. "Your guess is as good as mine. I'm not dating anyone, and last I knew there were no prospects for marriage in my future, so I say it was just Luna being Luna."
Had he been a lesser man, he would have winced. Did she really not see? His eyes were drawn toward the windows as he tried to think of a good way to respond, the lightening and pouring rain making him almost homesick. His reply was absentminded, "Yes, likely."
Ginny scooted closer to him, her head tipped to the side. "What is bothering you?"
He shrugged off the homesickness, not about to admit to a feeling he deemed childish. "Nothing. You know me; if it's storming I'm distracted."
She nodded, snapping her fingers in front of his face. "You had something you wanted to talk to me about. Will you, or are you going to wander out in the storm again? Should I get the hot cocoa started?"
He laughed half-heartedly. "I was just going to see if you really are up for helping with Teddy for the week if I go through with sending Tonks and Remus to the Bahamas for their anniversary."
She grinned, setting her drink aside and clapping her hands. "Of course I am! When can I get my hands on the little man? I've plans for that week, I'll have you know."
Amused, he poked her in the side. "Oh, do you now? What sort of plans?"
Ginny shifted, crossing her legs as she sat sideways on the couch. "I'm taking him to a Manchester United game, over to Pansy and Harry's to play with the kids, and you are going to bring him to the exhibition game the Harpies are playing in that week. It's against the Falcons. Oh, the twins want me to bring him by the shop, and Hagrid insists that I bring him to Hogwarts as well, he likes when the little guy visits."
"You've been busy planning haven't you?"
Her smile was wistful when she nodded. "You know me, I'm a sucker for other people's kids."
"You do know that this vacation is six months away, don't you?" he teased, ducking her arm a second later. They were both laughing when he playfully caught her around her waist and held her firmly as he tickled her ribs.
"I'm going to get you for this," she managed between her frequent bouts of laughter as she squirmed in his lap trying to escape.
"I'm sure you are," he retorted, finally letting loose of her, after he'd tucked her wand away of course. He wasn't stupid enough to think she wouldn't hex him the very second she could. He hoped to distract her, at least for a few minutes. He'd only let loose of her because the urge to give in and kiss her senseless had been almost too much to control, especially in the position that they were in. Her mouth was close enough that he could do so with very little effort. He truly didn't want to ruin their friendship. Hastily he got to his feet. "I- I should go. You've had a long day."
He backed towards the doorway, feeling like a fool but figured that being foolish was better than the alternative. He wanted Ginny, very much so, but not having her the way he wanted to was a whole lot easier when he could be around her as often as he liked even if she saw him as nothing more than a friend. "I'll talk to you later."
He Apparated from her foyer to his a moment later, wondering if he'd just royally screwed everything up as he headed straight for the liquor.
---
Ginny was miserable. There was no other word to describe it. For a week she did nothing but go to practise and come home to wallow. She didn't reply to any owls, she'd disconnected the Floo, and owled out for take away - and not take away from Nahm since she knew the food would arrive with notes from Daphne asking all the questions that Ginny just didn't want to think about right now.
She just didn't understand what had happened. She and Draco had been playing around just like they always did and he'd run fast and far. What the hell was that all about? All she could think was that he had been horrified when he realised that she'd almost kissed him and had rushed to get as far away as possible.
Hefting her bag over her shoulder, she stepped out of the locker room only to stop short. Confused at just what in Merlin's name Vincent could be doing here, she stopped right where she was. It wasn't as if she feared him- much to his chagrin- but that she knew someone had been meddling. The only question was who. "Vincent, what brings you to Holyhead?"
He laughed. "If I said the view from the beach, would you believe me? Or that I made a mistake Apparating to a pub I frequent?"
She scowled. "I'm disappointed in you. I expected better excuses."
He shrugged. "If you promise not to hex me bald, I'll give you the speech I was instructed to give and leave you alone. Deal?"
She dropped her bag and pulled her wand. "That all depends. Who sent you and why do you even have a speech for me in the first place?"
He held his hands up. "Put down the wand, Ginny. Your mother has it in her head that since you've made no effort to date, that the two of us should give it a go. I tried to tell her that you had your sights set elsewhere, but she didn't believe me. So, here I am daring your wrath by asking you to go out with me."
"I should hex you," she replied angrily. "I don't need pity dates or my mother matchmaking for me. "
"I know you don't," he said calmly.
Had she not known exactly what role he'd played in the war she would believe all the rumours that he was indeed as stupid as he seemed by showing up and giving her this spiel. But, she knew that the mercenary standing before her only feared two people- Severus Snape and Molly Weasley. She wasn't even sure that it was fear, but more like enormous amounts of respect he felt for her mum and Severus. "Then why are you here?"
Vincent grinned wickedly. "Because, I think I can help you get a certain blond to admit his feelings."
She sighed with impatience. She wasn't dumb enough to deny the truth of his words. "Go on, Vincent, before I decide to hex the information out of you."
"Not here," he retorted. "Meet me at Luna's."
"All right." But he was already gone. "Bloody arrogant Slytherins," she grumbled even as she prepared to Apparate.
---
"What the hell is going on?" Draco demanded, glaring across the table, his own kitchen table, at his so-called friends.
Blaise grinned cheekily. "I just do what my wife-to-be tells me to do. She said to come here and tell you that you'll lose Ginny forever if you don't do something. I was enjoying myself the last few years; the two of you weren't fooling anyone. But apparently Molly has decided that it's past time for her to step in."
Pansy rolled her eyes. "I was asked to tell you that Arthur is in place, Lancelot. Will you desert the field?"
"I am appalled that I was talked into this," Severus said blandly. "That and I had a hefty bet on the outcome of this. If any of you dare let that information slip out you will face my wrath."
"Is that what her cryptic message was about?" Draco asked, trying to sort through the information. "What the hell do you mean you had a bet going, Severus?"
Blaise sighed, as if he was highly disappointed. "That is your concern? The one woman you've been lusting after for years is soon going to be out of reach and you're worried about a bet and Luna's sense of humour?"
Draco glared, hard. "No, but I don't think the lot of you meddling in this is the wisest course of action. I've half a mind to sit back and watch Ginny hex all of you once she finds out about this little plan."
Everyone but Severus cringed. Draco gained a small bit of satisfaction that they still properly feared Ginny, but, belatedly he realised that someone was missing. "Where is Vincent?"
"I should go," Pansy said, getting to her feet slowly and laying her hand over her very pregnant stomach. "I promised Harry I wouldn't be gone long."
Blaise was up and out the door before Pansy had completely stood. "Going now," he called over his shoulder, Apparating before Draco could get a hex off.
Left with Severus, Draco raked his hand through his hair. "I don't want to know how you got involved in this, Severus. I truly don't. You are going to share what you know, yes?"
Severus shook his head. "No, I'm not. I've said what I came to say and now I'm leaving. I have always said that you were a bright young man, Draco. Don't go making me a liar."
Draco didn't bother to reply. He waited until the wards pulsed, signalling that he was alone to bury his face in his hands. He allowed himself a moment to wallow in his stupidity before he started planning.
---
Ginny nearly tripped over Vincent when she appeared in front of Luna's home. She had to admit that he wasn't a bad looking guy, at least not these days. He'd lost that hulking, blundering look he'd had at Hogwarts and, if she were forced to admit it, he was the type that would get her attention- well at least rate a second look. But, she was already arse over broomstick for Draco so until this very minute she'd not bothered to really look at Vincent.
He set her back on her feet with a wry smile. "You know, if you tried that move with Draco, he'd have reacted differently."
She shook her head. "Nice try. I thought I'd given you enough time to get out of the way."
"Vincent, Ginny, are you two finally here?" Luna called from the kitchen.
"Yes," Ginny replied, hurrying toward one of her oldest friends. "You have a lot of explaining to do, Luna."
Luna just grinned. "Give me a break, Gin. This is the first time I've tried going against your mother's wishes. I'm just learning how this whole matchmaking thing works."
"Likely story," Ginny grumbled, pulling out one of the chairs and dropping into it. "Don't think I don't know all about how you bat your eyelashes at Blaise and get him to do your bidding all the time. Who else but you would think to toss my brother Charlie and Roger Davies together? Most of the family hadn't figured out he even preferred men when you did that bit of meddling."
Luna smiled dreamily. "And they are happy aren't they? Though, I think that was more Blaise's attempt at payback for something Davies did to him back in school. He never did think it would work, always muttering about Davies being dragon food in the end."
Vincent snickered. "It wasn't Blaise that Davies brassed off, but I digress. This little meeting is about Mrs. Weasely's meddling, not Luna's."
"Both of them," Ginny corrected him sullenly, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why can't everyone allow me to muddle along on my own?"
"Because, you and Draco mucked it up royally," Luna said in that exasperated tone she'd mastered over the last few years. Ginny had never heard it used on anyone but Blaise before.
"We did not," Ginny protested, even though it sounded hollow even to her own ears. She couldn't deny that she was currently miserable, worried that she'd ruined everything with Draco and not sure how to even go about fixing it. As mental as it sounded, maybe listening to what Luna had to say wouldn't hurt. "All right, go ahead."
"Well," Luna began as she poured the tea. "What you need to do is simple."
Exasperated with herself, with Luna, with the entire situation, Ginny snapped, "If it is so simple then why do I need advice about it?"
"Because you haven't even considered it as an option," Luna retorted dryly.
"So, what is it?" Ginny said when it was clear that Luna wasn't saying anything more.
"Go on a date with me," Vincent supplied.
"What?" Ginny said, blinking in shock. "I thought that was a joke!"
Vincent winced. "Don't hold back on what you truly feel, Ginny."
"I didn't mean it like that," she insisted, nearly giving in and screaming in frustration. "I just don't get why you think this will work. I mean, doesn't that violate some male code or something?"
"Rule one, actually," Blaise said, stepping into the kitchen. "But this wouldn't be a real date and we Slytherins usually disregard the rules anyway."
"I can't believe you are going along with this, Blaise," Ginny said, shaking her finger, and to her horror, doing a fair imitation of her mother. She dropped her hand with a wince. "Sorry, didn't mean to sound like Mum."
Blaise snickered, ducking behind Luna. "You said it, Ginny. No hexing. Now, are you going to listen to reason or what?"
"I'm thinking that 'or what' sounds like my best option," she said mulishly. "This just seems wrong."
"Ever the Gryff," Vincent said, shaking his head. "I told you she wouldn't go for it. Ah well, Astoria will be ecstatic to know that her competition has bowed out."
Ginny sighed heavily. "I don't have time for this you know. Hermione and Severus' wedding is this weekend and I still have tons of stuff to do for your," she said pointing irritably at Luna and Blaise, "wedding in three weeks. Plus, I've games and practises. Oh, and I'm taking Teddy to the Zoo next week. When the hell do I have time to plot?"
"You could leave the plotting to us," Vincent suggested dryly. "Just show up when and where you are supposed to."
She shook her head, wary about this whole plan but not quite willing to turn down the help. Who knew how long it would be if she and Draco were left to their own devices. She wasn't even certain he had those sorts of feelings for her. That right there was what was holding her back. Did Draco feel the same way she did? Was it possible? "How do I know I'm not going to be making a fool out of myself?"
Blaise scoffed. "Trust us, will you? When have you ever known Slytherins to step up if it isn't a sure bet?"
Ginny smiled, he had a really good point. "Fine. I'm leaving now. Owl me with the particulars."
She didn't see the sly looks exchanged and had she done so, Ginny would have run like hell. As it was she had no idea what the real plan for herself and Draco entailed.
---
"Well?"
Luna grinned, pouring Molly Weasley a cup of tea as she replied. "They both fell for it, just like you said they would."
Molly chuckled as she sipped her tea, her gaze sliding to the silent man leaning against the counter top with his arms crossed over his chest, looking less than amused. "Vincent?"
Vincent rolled his eyes. "You two want me laid up in St. Mungo's don't you?"
Luna shook her head sadly. "And here I thought you were a big bad Slytherin. Just go and do what you are supposed to."
Vincent pushed off the counter with a large sigh. "Promise me one thing?"
Both women shared a look of confusion as he explained.
"I'd like a traditional wake, if you don't mind."
Luna covered her mouth with both hands, trying to hold in her giggles. Slytherin men were so over dramatic and high-maintenance. Every last one of them needed a good woman (or man in Vincent's case) to look after them.
Molly just smiled. "There will be no need to plan your wake, Vincent."
Vincent pulled his wand and prepared to Apparate to Draco's townhouse, as he blinked out of sight, he muttered, "So you say."
--
Severus winced at volume of his fiancée's displeasure. He hadn't meant for her to catch him making the Veritaserum, truly he hadn't. He rather thought the whole plan was ridiculous, but no one, not even himself, dared argue with Molly Weasley. So, he waited, calmly spiking the bottles that Blaise had 'borrowed' from the part of Malfoy Manor that was still standing.
Resealing the last wine bottle, he realised that Hermione was no longer screaming at him. Turning slowly, his brows shot up when he saw that she was filling and capping the vials marked 'for Daphne'. "You are helping?"
Hermione sniffed and squared her shoulders. "I most certainly am not, and should anyone hint that I had any knowledge of this you will be on the couch for a month. Molly's couch specifically."
Chuckling from the doorway caused Severus to whirl around only to see Daphne and Vincent looking utterly amused. "You two are early. Why is that?"
Vincent sobered. "If I'm going to die I may as well get it over with." He held out a bottle of Jameson. "Spike this one as well? If we're to do this we might as well do so properly."
"There was nothing in Molly's plans about this," Severus retorted sternly. "Are you prepared to face her wrath if the plan is compromised?"
Vincent laughed. "Oh no, this is for my own use if I survive the plan. Molly can wax philosophical about not getting anything out of this but the happiness of my friend, but I'm no Gryffindor. Either I get something out of this or I enact my wartime Plan B and go into hiding until Molly isn't out for my head any longer."
"Oh, just do it," Hermione grumbled, collecting the vials. "I'm off with Daphne to spike the food, though I still don't understand why Molly thinks they will eat or drink anything provided by their kidnappers."
She got as far as the door before she stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Vincent, I have the utmost confidence that you won't be speaking about my involvement."
Daphne's grin widened and took on a slightly wicked edge. "I'm not above slipping Astoria a love potion aimed at you, Vincent."
Vincent and Severus winced as Vincent muttered, "Damn, that is positively evil."
Hermione shrugged. "As long as I don't have Ginny and Draco hexing me, I'm fine with 'evil'." She turned to Daphne. "Let's get this over with."
Daphne mockingly waved as she followed Hermione out the door.
--
Draco didn't realise something was wrong until the room around him started to spin. For the past three days he had been trying to figure out what to do- about Ginny, about the meddling, about everything really. "Blaise!" he protested. "What did you do?"
Blaise caught him as his eyes rolled back and Draco could have sworn he heard his friend respond, "Nothing you won't end up thanking me for."
Chuckling, Vincent stepped into the parlour and helped Blaise get Draco upright. "Once again, I have to say I'm grateful that Molly hasn't set her matchmaking eye on me."
If you only knew you were next, Blaise thought as he activated the Portkey that would deliver all three of them to Malfoy Manor.
--
Ginny opened her door, surprised to find Bill standing there. "Bill? What in Merlin's name are you doing here?"
Bill shivered. "Can I explain inside?"
Ginny stepped aside and closed the door after him, still trying to puzzle through his sudden appearance. "Explain. I thought you were still in France for the goblins."
Bill removed his gloves, hat, and scarf, shaking his head. "Mum asked me to look over Malfoy Manor and assess what needed done to set it to rights."
Confused, Ginny couldn't help but say, "And? What does this have to do with me?"
"Draco is one of your best friends. I was hoping you would go out there with me. I thought he would be less pissy about you tromping through his ancestral home than anyone else."
"Now?" she asked, glancing out the window at the steady fall of snow. "As in, right this minute?"
Smiling sheepishly, Bill nodded. "Mum thinks that he misses his home more than even he knows. Will you help me?"
"Of course," she said, turning to retrieve her winter coat, hat, and gloves. "Are we Portkeying or Apparating?"
"Portkey," Bill said, tossing her a small statue, which she caught neatly. He nearly laughed as the Portkey activated, transporting her before Ginny realised what was going on. "Have fun!" he said cheerily.
Laughing, he Apparated to The Burrow to inform his Mum that he'd done his part. Honestly, he was rather disappointed to miss the show. His baby sister never had been even-tempered.
--
Ginny was cussing Bill creatively, and with a great deal of enthusiasm, as she made her way through Malfoy Manor by the light of the single candle that had been burning in the room she had landed in. Her wand was back at her townhouse, sitting on the kitchen table to be exact. She hadn't expected to need it and hadn't exactly been warned about the Portkey.
She nearly dropped the candle as she entered the solarium and saw Draco laid out on the remains of the sofa. She ran across the room, setting the candle on the floor next to Draco. Cautiously, she shook him. "Draco?"
He groaned, slowly opening his eyes. His voice was rough as he whispered," Ginny?"
She looked around and spotted a small, dusty wine rack. "Don't talk until I get you something to drink."
He nodded, pushing himself semi-upright and running a hand over his face.
She hurried over and uncorked the first bottle she grabbed as she tried to figure out just what they should do. It was obvious that the wards had been changed- hence the Portkey. She knew Bill was one of the best curse breakers in the word and that meant whatever he had done to the wards would not be easily changed. In short, they were stuck. She knelt in front of Draco, holding out the bottle. "Here, take a sip. There were no glasses, I'm sorry."
Draco took the bottle warily. "Blaise is dead," he declared before drinking the wine.
Ginny didn't laugh as she usually would have. He wasn't joking and she rather thought that Blaise should go into hiding before they managed to escape. Laying a hand on Draco's arm, she asked, "Does your throat feel better?"
"Yes," he replied easily, taking another small sip. "You do know that this is some sort of matchmaking plot, don't you?"
He blinked in shock. He hadn't meant to tell her that. What the fuck was going on? Then his jaw dropped. He knew what had happened. And he wasn't about to say another word. Merlin only knew what he might say. He hoped he hadn't ingested too much Veritaserum, and that it would wear off before he did something stupid like confess that he was in love with Ginny. It was something he knew she didn't want to hear.
Ginny tipped her head to the side, brow furrowed in confusion. "What matchmaking? Or rather who?"
"Everyone," he said, forgetting the whole 'I've been given truth serum' part of this situation. "Fuck!"
Ginny reached out, laying her hand on his forehead. "Are you ill? What did Blaise give you?"
"Sleeping Draught," he said bitterly, not able to overcome the compulsion to tell the truth.
Ginny nodded slowly, still confused as hell, and taking a sip of the wine.
"Ginny!" Draco exclaimed, making a grab for the bottle. "You don't want to drink that."
She held the bottle away from him. "Why shouldn't I? This isn't the first bottle of wine we've shared." Her eyes widened as she heard herself say, "Nor is it the first time I've wanted to crawl on your lap and snog you senseless while drinking a bottle of your wine."
Draco was silent for a long minute as he took in that information. Apparently he wasn't the only one with more than friendly feelings. "If you want to crawl on my lap, I promise not to complain. I can't promise I'll stop before we're both exhausted and naked."
Ginny set the bottle aside, fully aware now that they had been given some sort of truth serum. She wasn't going to complain just yet. Later, there would be retribution for kidnapping and drugging them, but right now she was going to take advantage of the situation. Straddling him, she smirked. "You think we'll find drugged food as well?"
Wickedly, Draco slid his hand up under the hem of her shirt. "Knowing your mother, Severus, and the rest of them, yeah, I think so."
Ginny leaned in, chuckling. "I should have known it wasn't as simple as making you jealous by dating Vincent."
His hands stilled and his eyes narrowed. He didn't like that plan, not at all. Vincent would have to be reminded of the friend code. Well, not now obviously. Later. Much later. There were still beds in the Manor. Beds he was planning on getting Ginny in as soon as he could. "That was the plan, was it?"
Ginny kissed him slowly, nipping gently at his bottom lip before pulling back enough to say, "Yes, that was the plan I was informed of. Double bluff, priceless."
"Right now I am thinking that baking them a cake is more appropriate, but that would be the serum talking." Gripping her around the waist, Draco shifted so he could get to his feet, keeping Ginny right where she was. "We'll pay them all back. Now though, I'd like to give you the naked tour of Malfoy Manor. You up for that?"
Ginny laughed, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Damn straight I am. I've been waiting years for this tour."
He turned, leaning her against the wall, his mouth covering hers as his hands worked the buttons of her blouse. She wasn't the only one who had been waiting for years. He hoped none of their kidnappers popped in to check on them; they had a lot of time to make up for.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Briefly describe what you'd like to receive in your fic Ginny and Draco post Hogwarts.
The tone/mood of the fic: I'm flexible; something funny, angsty, vignettey, whatever the author feels like writing.
An element/line of dialogue/object you would like in your fic: Soccer, or football, as it'd be known in England!
Preferred rating of the the fic you want: No preference.
Canon or AU? No preference.
Deal Breakers (anything you don't want?): I'd prefer one of them not die in a horrible tragedy.