♥ "Winner Takes All" for solookup ♥
Title: Winner Takes All
Author: goeungurl
Rating: R
Possible Spoilers/Warnings: Books 1-7 (minus the epilogue), sex, language
Author's Notes: Since I was watching the movie when I started the fic, inspiration must be attributed to Bridget from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. (The fic title was inspired from a quote from the book.) The betting calendar is from The Office. A huge, huge thank you so much to the wonderful mods for their infinite patience, giving me a chance to write this, and for providing such a great place for all of us to come play. And of course, thank you to all my betas who held my hand throughout the whole process. And the awesome line re: humility? From numbaby.
Summary: Boss Hermione transfers Ginny to Draco's department at the Ministry. Gambling, sex, fights, and snark ensue.
Winner Takes All
"Malfoy."
"Granger."
"I have a problem."
"Just one? Is it red and itchy? They have potions for that you know."
"..."
"Come on, Granger. You should've seen that one coming."
"Fine. Ginny Weasley."
"Little Weasley?"
"How can I say this delicately--you owe her. Your family owes her. Or rather, your father owes her. And you are going to help her."
Malfoy just arched an eyebrow.
Hermione sighed and poured them each tea. "Sit. It's a long story. Ginny... Ginny grew up in a happy home--"
"She was all fine, wonderfully, red-headed, freckled, and happy with a million brothers, right? And then my evil father gave her a diary and she's all damaged? Is that it? Spare me the sob story, Granger. I'm not my father."
"It's not that simple, Malfoy," Hermione nearly snapped. She took a breath to calm herself. Ginny needed something that would be sure to snap her out of her current depression over the anniversary of Fred's death. Draco Malfoy was Hermione's last, drastic resort. "Ginny is single-minded to the point of recklessness. She's the youngest in the family so she's learned to clamor for attention and power. But once she has the attention, she often doesn't know what to do with it because in her family, she's was never able to keep it for long before it was stolen from her again. "
Checking to make sure he was still paying attention, she took a breath and continued. "And the diary and Riddle? Screwed with her. Her life was recast and remade at that point. She still has fault lines left behind. She is afraid to rely on anyone but afraid to be alone. As a result, she only has two speeds. Fast or slow. She's normally a whirlwind of activity, going at break-neck speeds. She's the first one to take a shot, first one to jump headfirst into a pool. But occasionally, when something unexpected slams into her, she shuts down. That's her slow speed. She's left soft, unsure. She worries and frets."
Pretending to be uninterested in Hermione's psychoanalysis, he raised what he hoped was an uninterested eyebrow. "And I come in how?"
"She isn't good at putting herself back together. She needs someone to push her. And you are better at pushing people than anyone I know."
"Why, thank you for the compliment, Granger," Draco smirked. "You really know how to stroke a guy's ego."
"You want me to stroke you, Malfoy?"
Draco practically gagged at the mental image.
"Exactly. Don't start with me." Hermione stood. "Besides, I'm your department head and I'm transferring her to your division. You don't really have a say. Take care of her."
***
"But, Hermione, why? It's Malfoy!" Ron protested. He had come running from the auror headquarters as soon as he had gotten Hermione's interdepartmental memo.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ron, haven't you learned in the fifteen odd years you've known me, you need to trust me?"
"Mate, do something," Ron tried to reason with Harry. "You used to date Ginny. Don't you have some kind of feelings towards her?"
"That was years ago," Harry said dismissively. "And you've seen Ginny. Even you can't disagree--she needs a change. So just trust Hermione, mate."
"See? Harry has learned. About time you did too, Ron," Hermione said with finality as she signed the transfer order.
***
Ginny listlessly carried her desk contents from the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee to the Obliviator Headquarters. Hermione's reasonable voice flooded her head, 'I know you'll be working for Malfoy, but Ginny, he's really not that bad. And you'll get to be out of the office sometimes! Think how much fun that will be!'
"Fun, my arse. Like she'd know fun if it danced naked in front of her," Ginny muttered, dropping her box into a cubicle marked "Ginny Weasley."
"Granger?" a voice dryly asked from behind her.
Ginny turned to face Draco Malfoy, her new boss extraordinaire. "Malfoy. And yes, Granger."
"She's always going to be a busy-bodied know-it-all. But she's right. We do have fun over here," Draco said, settling into Ginny's chair. "Just don't tell Granger."
"Fun? Sure. Whatever." Ginny said skeptically. She checked her watch, mentally counting the hours until she could go home and curl up with the wireless.
"We do. I'll prove it." Draco jumped up and dragged her around the corner to where people were huddled around a huge wall calendar. As Ginny approached, someone quickly waved their wand, erasing the writing on the calendar. "She's okay," Draco reassured, bringing the writing back to the calendar. "Everyone, this is Ginny Weasley. She's starting here as for today. Anything good going on?"
Ginny took a step closer to the calendar. It was a massive pool betting on anything and everything--when Isabel's baby was due, when the Christmas bonuses would be delivered, who would win the next Quidditch Cup, when Hermione would kiss Ron, when Ron would kiss Harry, when Harry would kiss Draco. She gave Draco a questioning look after the last one.
"It's not against department regulations. It's just says that betting is discouraged--not forbidden," Draco explained defensively.
"Not that. Harry is supposed to kiss you?" Ginny asked dismissively.
"Oh, that actually went up there? Ponces," Draco muttered. "It's a long story. More of a joke than anything. You can get really good odds on it though, since it's highly unlikely."
"How have I never heard about this? Why haven't any of the other departments?" she questioned, only mildly interested.
"What? You think we work as Obliviators for nothing? There have to be some perks to the job," Draco smirked.
Ginny knew this sounded suspicious and highly illegal, but she liked the idea. Fred would've liked the idea. It appealed to her competitive nature and the excitement in the department was contagious. She cautiously took a closer step to the chart. "Okay. I'm in. Just show me what I need to do."
"That's what she said," someone called out. There was applause and a mark on the board. Draco smirked. "There's a daily pot on how many times that phrase can be legitimately be said. But anyway, we're glad to have you. We could use some fresh blood. You're going to fit in here just fine."
For the first time in months, the old sparkle appeared in Ginny's eye as she cracked a grin. "That's what she said?" she quipped, inspiring many cheers amongst her new coworkers.
***
"Malfoy."
"Granger."
"The hallway is wide enough. Quit walking behind me like a stalker."
"I'm just admiring the view, Granger."
"Charming. How's Ginny doing?"
"Very polite, Granger. Never mind how your own division head is doing. Never mind I might have had some family tragedy over the weekend. Just ask after your own precious Ginny."
"All I have to do for an update on your life, Malfoy, is to take a look at the gossip column of Witch Weekly. Are you sure you want your boss talking about your sexual exploits with Connie? Tammie? Nikki? Which one was it this week?"
"It was Tiffany," Draco said with a smirk. "I didn't know you had a subscription to Witch Weekly, Granger."
"As your boss, I have to keep track of you somehow," Hermione said coolly, knowing Draco hated being reminded she was promoted above him.
"Funny, you would think a good boss would be nice to the employee that is doing a favor for her."
This time it was Granger's turn to look strangled. This is why she avoided being indebted to Slytherins. "Just take good care of Ginny, Malfoy."
"She'd doing well in case you haven't noticed," he said in a moment of seriousness. Once the redhead had been in the department a few weeks, she had quickly become the life of the party. Her competitive nature had come to life, coming up with new and crazy bets for the office to take part in. Her latest brainchild was a race to see if Hermione was a thong or briefs girl. Draco had been drawn into her whirlwind along with everyone else--with Ginny Weasley, you just couldn't help it.
"I have noticed, actually. I guess I might actually owe you." Hermione laughed to herself as she turned to enter her office. "Who knew that Malfoy's being a complete bastard would come in handy?"
"Name calling? You already owe me. Do you really want to give me ammunition for a harassment claim too?" Draco called after her, still intently staring at her backside.
"I'll just counter sue with a sexual harassment complaint," she called over her shoulder, firmly shutting the door to her office away from his prying eyes.
***
"Hermione, I have to admit it. You were right," Harry admitted as the trio stood in lunch line at the Ministry's tearoom. "Ginny has brightened up since she moved to Malfoy's department."
"She has. But I hope she actually stays happy for a while and keeps from doing anything crazy for a while," Hermione murmured while debating between the meatloaf and the salad.
"I think it might be too late for that," Ron muttered, inwardly cursing Ginny for walking in on him and Pansy while they were preoccupied in various naked activities. He cringed and stretched his hand out toward Hermione's butt.
"Don't, mate. She'll kill you," Harry frantically whispered, snatching Ron's hand back.
Ron instantly colored until the tips of his ears. "I can't! Ginny is--"
"--Blackmailing you too?" Harry interrupted, slightly relieved. He gestured in Hermione's direction, "Thong or briefs?"
Ron nodded. "Together? Hermione can't kill us both, right?"
"Death by Hermione or humiliation by Ginny. Our lives aren't fair, mate," Harry muttered as they approached Hermione digging through her purse for change.
"I'm sure Ginny will be fine," Ron said, cautiously approaching Hermione.
"Yes, all thanks to our 'Mione," Harry added. He nodded at Ron, and they simultaneously reached out and patted Hermione on the butt. "We're very proud."
Hermione jumped and whipped out her wand. "What's going on?" she asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," Ron choked out before running off.
"We're just really proud and uh... that's a really great skirt," Harry stammered. "Ron and I had a uh... training we forgot about. Bye!"
Hermione shook her head at the retreating figures of her best friends. "Odd. First Malfoy and now Ron and Harry. Guess Victoria really does have some kind of secret."
***
Ginny's grin stretched from ear to ear as she collected money from the pot. She jingled her pouch of Galleons in front of Draco's face. "So Malfoy, how does it feel to lose and get caught staring by Hermione on top of that?"
"I don't know, Weasley. What does it feel like to have some decent money?" Draco teased back. An old insult, done more out of habit than real malice.
"Bloody brilliant. Oh, and everyone?" she called out. "I'm taking everyone out for drinks now so we can celebrate just how wonderful and skilled I am at winning."
Draco shook his head in amusement. "Humble much, Weasley?" he laughed as he gathered his cloak.
"Humility is for the inadequate, darling," Ginny shot back as she linked arms with him to lead the crowd to the pub.
****
Once they had drunk away most of her winnings, Ginny turned to Draco who had been carefully watching her all night. "So Malfoy," she murmured, sidling close to him, enjoying his body heat. "Are you finally going to make a move on me tonight?"
"Maybe in your wildest dreams, Weasley." Draco automatically denied. At first, his excuse had been that he was watching out for her as per Hermione's request. But now? He had to admit, the carefree, rambunctious redhead had captured his attention (and everyone else's heart in the department). When Ginny got the mischievous sparkle in her eye, there was no denying her, no getting away from her magnetic personality.
"Bollocks, Malfoy. You're the one that's been watching my every move since I've transferred. You've made sure I was partnered with you more than anyone else on assignments." She ran a fingertip up the side of his face, tracing his lips. "I think it's you that wants me."
"That might be," Draco conceded, removing her finger from his lips, "but I'm your boss. Nothing could happen."
"I'll take what I can get." Ginny looked down at the hand that was still holding her finger. She winked at Draco and pulled him onto the dance floor. "Just dance with me."
It was that damn sparkle again. Draco followed her onto the floor and tried to put a respectable distance between them, but Ginny stepped up and pushed her hips into his. "It's okay," she whispered into his ear. "Everyone else is either gone or too drunk to care."
"You're drunk," he murmured back into her ear, lips brushing the lobe. Despite his protests, his hands automatically travelled down to rest on her hips which swayed in time to the music.
"Not drunk," she corrected, twirling out under his arm. She swung back, tucking herself back into his arms. "Just... happy." She looked up into his hooded eyes and back down to his lips. Instinctively, she licked her lips and smiled. "So, thank you," she whispered before closing the distance between them and kissing him.
Despite Hermione's voice in his head spouting off the department rules, Draco closed his eyes and gave into this crazy redhead that he hadn't been able to take his eyes off of for the past few months. Her lips were just as soft as he suspected, her tongue just as aggressive, and her hands just as urgent. "Damn, Granger and her rules," Draco growled as he pushed Ginny against a wall. "Department heads aren't allowed to sleep with their department members. We have to stop."
"No we don't," Ginny whispered, licking a line up the throbbing vein in his neck before biting and sucking on his bottom lip. "What she doesn't know won't hurt her. Since when have you listened to Hermione anyway?"
Her logic seemed to make sense in his lust-crazed mind. He pulled her into the shadows of the club and pushed her against the wall before attacking her lips with renewed force. One of her hands had somehow found their way under his shirt, scratching his back, while the other was frantically trying to work his belt buckle. His own hand yanked open her blouse, pulling her breasts out of her bra. While his tongue rolled around nipple, his ears were rewarded the sound of her moaning his name. "Not Malfoy," he corrected. "Draco."
"Draco, then," she acquiesced. Finally, victorious against his trousers, she reached down to stroke his aching hardness. He growled in response and used his knee to part her legs causing her skirt to ride up. His fingers found their way to the soft wetness in between thighs. "Draco," she gasped, thankful for some relief from the building pressure in her lower belly. She ground against his fingers and stroked faster. "Inside me," she ordered, in between her quickened breaths.
"As the lady wishes," Draco said through gritted teeth. He hitched her up and wrapped her legs around his waist before pushing his way into her velvety folds. His hands supporting her supple bottom, he started to pound her into the wall. As Ginny gripped onto his shoulders and bit into his neck, a brief thought entered her mind of contraception and privacy spells or what Ron and her coworkers would think. Instead, she wove her fingers through his hair and allowed the sensation of being filled repeatedly push any thoughts of consequences out of her mind.
Although he knew he was supporting her, Draco couldn't resist the temptation to bend down lick one of the breasts that was conveniently bouncing in front of his face. Breathing heavily, Ginny reached in between them to squeeze the bundle of nerves that she knew would be sure to set her off. The wood was digging into her back and she knew that it couldn't be easy for Draco to support her either, but like hell was she going to let him get off before her.
Entranced by watching her climax and struggle to keep her screams to a gasp, he was relieved when she finally came. With a few more thrusts, he bit his lip to keep from screaming her name and emptied himself into her with a shudder. Still joined, they stood gasping together, as their heart rates and sanity was restored.
She slowly unwound herself from him and he let her back down on the floor. They each hastily straightened their clothes and hair, eyes avoiding each other the whole time. "So, um," Draco hesitated, "You're on the contraceptive potion, right?"
Ginny ran her fingers through her hair, desperately trying to fix the matted mess in the back of her head to avoid answering. "Well, not exactly. I mean, I was, but I ran out a few months ago," she mumbled.
"What??" he exclaimed, raking his hands through his own hair, more out of frustration than anything. "Since you didn't mention the doing a contraceptive spell, I assumed you were protected already!"
"Well, it's not like you said anything either," she shot back. "I thought you would pull out at the end."
"I never...," He stopped and just shook his head. "We could argue about this for hours. We were both stupid."
"Glad it was good for you too," she muttered under her breath. She cleared her throat. "I'll just take the morning after potion."
Draco eyed her curiously. "Have you ever taken that potion before? I heard it wasn't the easiest potion to take."
"Whatever. I'll be fine," she said dismissively. She stepped out of the shadows into the light of the pub. It didn't look like they had been missed, she assessed. "See you tomorrow, Malfoy."
More worried than he let on, Draco watched apparate away before going to the bar to close out his tab. "Bloody hell, wench," he cursed when he realized Ginny had been drinking off of his tab the entire night.
***
"Malfoy!"
"Unhand my arm, woman. Unlike Scarhead and Weasel, I don't like being manhandled by girls."
Ignoring his comment, Hermione shook his arm. "I'm being serious, Malfoy. Why hasn't Ginny been at work this past week?"
"Other than her first owl that said she was sick, I have no idea," Draco lied smoothly, wrenching his arm out of her grasp. He straightened his jacket and his tie. "Who knew, Granger? You have a pincer claw there." Truth was, he was worried too. After that fateful warning, Draco had owled her a morning after potion along with a horrifying list of side-effects that the potions master had insisted on giving him, which included not only physical discomforts, but could possibly wreak havoc on her emotions as well.
"You're lying, Malfoy. I know," Hermione accused, poking his chest.
"Bloody hell, woman," Draco said, protecting his chest. "What is with the physical abuse?"
"The physical abuse is about to get worse," Hermione threatened, poking him. "You shagged Ginny in the back of the pub and now she's avoiding you. Malcolm Baddock told me."
"It was consensual and she's of age. Unlike you, Ginny apparently knows a good shag when she sees one because she came onto me," Draco sniffed. Despite his cavalier manner, he was actually relieved that for once Hermione was not all-knowing. The hair bush would be absolutely unbearable to work with if she knew what had actually happened.
"Whatever, Malfoy. My taste in men is fine. Not every woman is going to fall at your feet because you were poncy enough to pose for Witch Weekly."
"A bespeckled git and a gangly tomato is not fine. And I only posed because they voted me 'Most Eligible Bachelor.' Who am I to deny the witches of England of my charming good looks?" Draco said, striking a pose against the wall and flashing Hermione his 'Sexiest Smile of the Year' smile.
"Stop. You look like a child predator," Hermione shot back. She glared at him and poked him again. "Did I not tell you before I transferred Ginny that she only has two speeds? She's more fragile than she looks. She clamors for attention and once she gets what she wants she doesn't know how to deal with the consequences. You need to go talk to her. Apologize. Make this right." Hermione jabbed her finger into Draco's chest one more time for good measure before stomping off.
"So that's how Scarface and Weasel like it," Draco called out as his parting shot while rubbing his chest.
***
"Have either of you been to see Ginny?" Hermione asked as she slammed down her lunch on the table.
"Blimey! What crawled up your arse and died?" Ron asked, mouth full of food.
"Eat. Chew. Swallow. Then speak, Ron. It really is a simple concept," Hermione retorted.
He swallowed and gave her a big smile with a chunk of lettuce stuck in his tooth. "Better?"
Hermione rolled her eye heavenward and counted to ten. She turned to Harry. "Have you?"
Learning from Ron, he chewed and swallowed before answering. "What's going on, Hermione? Why are you so upset?"
Hermione sighed and slumped in her chair. "I think Ginny is might be sliding back into depression. She says she's just sick, but I don't think I believe her."
"Why? What's the reason this time?" Harry asked, biting a chip. "And why did Malfoy poke me in the hallway earlier?"
"He did what? Poked you?" she asked straightening up.
"Yeah, in the chest. Said to ask you about it and that you would like it?" Harry said with a frown.
She closed her eyes and silently counted to ten before pulling out her planner. Ron read over her shoulder, "Castrate Malfoy, 4 p.m. Oh, that's brill! Can I watch?"
With a strangled sound of frustration that sounded something like 'useless men', Hermione snapped her planner and stalked off.
***
Ginny rolled over in her bed and tried to ignore the pounding in her head. No wait. That's the door. She sighed and shuffled to open the door. She looked at Draco standing on her doorstep, looking as meticulous and stylish as ever. She crossed her arms across her chest and leaned against the doorframe. "What?"
"And a good day to you too, Ginny," Draco greeted, pushing past her into her sitting room. He sat down at her sofa and looked expectantly at the girl who was presently glaring at him. "And yes, I would love to stay for tea. Thank you."
"Whatever gets you to leave," she said with a sigh, not having the energy to fight him.
While she left to prepare tea, Draco frowned at her hollowness in her eyes. It was late in the afternoon but she had obviously not been out of bed yet. There were half-eaten boxes of take away strewn across the room. She came back and set a cup in front of him and curled up in the armchair across from him.
"Are you not going to have tea?" Draco asked. "How do I know you haven't poisoned it?" he asked, trying to get her to smile, but to no avail. She simply pulled a quilt over her legs and rested her head on the armrest.
"We've missed you at work," Draco said cautiously. How the hell are you supposed to treat a depressed person? He had never done this before. Normally, he'd scoff and wipe his feet on them, but Ginny was different. She had manage to catch his attention and now, he didn't want her to let go. He wanted to see that sparkle in her eyes again.
She just shrugged. This is fucking brill. Last resort. Granger said to apologize. Bloody hell. "So, I'm sorry?" he offered.
"Yes, because that sounds so convincing," Ginny muttered, pulling the quilt over her head. He heard a muffled voice say, "Just leave, Malfoy. You don't even know what you're sorry for."
Since Ginny couldn't see him, Draco uncomfortably shifted in his seat. "But I'm sorry, regardless. About last week. It was a stupid mistake."
Ginny shot up in her armchair, scrambling for her wand. The emptiness in her eyes were replaced not with a sparkle, but with rage. "I'm serious, Malfoy. Just leave before I hex you," she snapped. I've been hiding away in my flat for a week debating how to approach Draco about a second go around and he just dismisses it as a bloody mistake? I'm a fool. A blasted buggering fool.
"What? What did I say? I just said sorry!" Draco cried, pulling out his wand and crouching into a defensive stance. His eyes darted around the room, calculating the risks between each of the exits from the room and his odds of making it to any of them. "This is the last time I'm listening to Granger," he mumbled.
"WHAT?? You told Hermione??" she screeched, flinging a bat-bogey hex his way. Draco dove for cover under her coffee table which was blasted to bits by the hex. "I liked that table," she cried, throwing another hex.
This time, Draco darted to the closest exit from the room and threw the body bind curse over his shoulder. He was gearing to run when he heard Ginny hit the floor with a thud. He cautiously re-entered the room and smirked at Ginny lying on the floor. "Tsk, tsk. Looks like I won this time," he crowed. The look in Ginny's eyes were murderous. It wasn't the lively sparkle he was used to seeing but it was an improvement over the blankness that had been in her eyes before. Satisfied, he turned to leave. "I'll let Granger know so she can come unbind you," he graciously offered before apparating away.
***
"Malfoy."
"Granger."
"You owe me. I had to physically restrain Ginny from coming after your sorry self."
"Do you ever not come to work, Granger? Take a vacation day? Temporarily remove the stick from your arse? Go to the spa? Maybe some shopping? Some shagging?"
"Why? Are you offering, Malfoy? After all, we both know that's the only way you'll ever get promoted," she shot back.
"I'm a Slytherin," he sniffed disdainfully. "I use whatever means was necessary to achieve the end."
"You haven't seen Ginny yet, have you?" Hermione laughed. "I'm going spare you this time. You'll need all of your pathetic attempts at wit to survive what you have coming to you."
Draco wanted to shift uneasily on his feet again, but he resisted and instead, rolled his eyes and walked away. If he couldn't come up with a retort at least he could look disdainful while doing it.
***
"Hermione! You have to do something!" Ron cried, barreling into Hermione's office. "She's completely crazy this time!"
Harry shrugged as he followed Ron's dramatic entrance. "I think she looks fine."
"You!" Ron cried, wheeling on Harry. "You are not allowed to look at her. In fact, no one is allowed to look at her besides Hermione." He looked at Hermione and pouted. "Please?"
"Ginny is a grown woman. She will do as she pleases," Hermione reasoned.
"Please?" Ron pouted. "You're her best girlfriend!"
Hermione couldn't hold back her laughter. "Oh, Ron. I've known you for fifteen years. If your puppy-dog look didn't work the first year, it's not going to work fifteen years later."
***
Wary, Draco walked into the department. The elevated noise level was coming from the betting calendar and over the tops of cubicles he could see everyone crowded around a familiar redhead.
"So she's finally decided to be responsible and come back to work," he drawled as he approached the group. The crowd parted like oil and water when they heard his voice to reveal Ginny's shapely behind in a short pencil skirt and insanely high heels. He was so distracted by the length of her legs and where they disappeared under that skirt that he missed the entry that she was bending over to write.
"Hello, Draco," she greeted, turning around. She had on a skintight blouse that was unbuttoned halfway so you could see plenty of cleavage and a dark green lacy bra peeking through the vee. Her perfume tickled his nose as she leaned in close to him to whisper in his ear, "You'll be wishing for another stupid mistake by the time I'm done with you."
She whirled around to survey the crowd before her eyes settled on Malcolm Baddock who was having trouble looking diverting his eyes from her chest. She sashayed her way past Draco and placed a fingertip under Malcolm's chin and pushed it up. "My eyes are up here," she said. He finally looked up and she gave him an almost feral grin. She shot Draco a glare where he saw the rage outlined in her eyes before she wrapped her hand around Malcolm's tie. "Follow me," she growled, pulling him into the supply closet, amongst cheering of the office.
'Bloody fucking hell. What have I done?' he wondered as his eyes fell on the calendar. There, in fresh ink next to the old 'when Ron Weasley will kiss Harry Potter'entry was Ginny's new entry" 'When Draco Malfoy will beg Ginny Weasley to sleep with him again.' This time his swearing rang throughout the office.
***
"Malfoy."
"Hair bush--I mean, Granger."
"I'm sorry, Malfoy. Are you balding?"
His hand automatically shot up to his hairline. "That was cheap, Granger, and you know it."
"I'm just concerned for your well-being. I imagine these past couple of months have been hard on you. I thought the stress may have impacted your hairline."
"I don't know what you're talking about," he denied, trying to catch his reflection in the mirror so that he could reassure himself his hairline was still in place.
"I keep getting complaints from your department that you've been increasingly difficult to get along with. First, Malcolm Baddock claims you sent him on an operation that didn't even need an Obliviator and he just ended up getting hexed and put in St. Mungo's. Then, Stebbins and Summers also get themselves landed in Mungo's because they fell down some stairs and you just happened to be standing behind them? In fact, I think I've gotten a complaint from just about every male in your department and a couple from others. I think my favorite, however, is little Euan Abercrombie. Hanging him upside-down in the tearoom for six hours as a security measure? Seriously, Malfoy?"
"I thought it was odd too, but the lovely lunch ladies of the tearoom insisted that is what they needed," he sniffed.
"And it has nothing to do with the fact that they've been dating Ginny over the past two months?"
Draco snorted. "Ha, if you call that dating."
"So you do admit it bothers you!" Hermione cried victoriously. "Admit it. You have feelings for Ginny."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "Only if you admit you have feelings for Potter and Weasel."
Her jaw dropped as she shot him a glare. "Both of them? At once? Please, Malfoy."
Draco just smirked. "Don't be so narrow-minded, Granger," he said loftily. "Love isn't supposed to make sense."
"Stop trying to distract me, Malfoy. You have feelings for Ginny."
"I shagged her once. In the back of a bar. We were drunk. How does that equal feelings?"
"You were interested in her before that. The shagging just pushed you over the edge," she explained logically. "Since then, you haven't been able to keep your eyes off of her and you can't stand that other people have her and you can't."
"The unresolved sexual tension between Potter and Weasel must finally be getting to you. You're not making sense, Granger," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand, as he started to continue down the hallway.
"I thought love wasn't supposed to make sense, Malfoy," she called out behind him.
***
"Hermione! Hermione!!"
Hermione walked to her office doorway to look out to see a red-faced Ron running down the hall towards her. "Ron, how many times do I have to say to keep your voice--"
"Ginny's been hurt!" Ron interrupted. He didn't stop running and just yelled over his shoulder, "She's okay and at home, but Harry and I are going after him!"
"Wait! Who?? What happened?" Hermione cried out after him, but to no avail. "Damn it!"
Hermione quickly jotted an urgent paper airplane to Draco before taking off in Ron's direction.
Malfoy, Ron says some guy hurt Ginny. Ron and Harry are taking care of him but perhaps you can go see to Ginny? I'd go myself but when Ron gets angry, he forgets to think. I need to go do that for him. As usual. --Hermione"
***
An annoyed and tired Ginny opened her door to a unkempt and frazzled Draco. "What is with you and pounding on my door?"
For once she was back in her trainers and t-shirt. Draco ignored her and grabbed her by the shoulders. "What happened? Are you okay? Who was it?"
She frowned and rubbed her temples. "I'm too tired for these games anymore, Draco." She didn't bother closing the door and headed for the sitting room. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Draco waved his note in the air, as he shut the door and followed her into the room. "Granger said that you were hurt! Ron said some guy hurt you?"
"Oh. That," she said dismissively. "It's nothing," she said as she curled up into her previous position in the armchair. "I was in the tearoom and some piece of shite called me a floozy. I hit him but my hand scratched on his teeth. It's no big deal. Ron just only heard part of the story again. As usual."
"Oh," Draco said, suddenly self-conscious about his sudden appearance and frazzled state. He resisted the urge to finger-comb his hair, however, and instead, sat on the edge of the coffee table so that he was facing her chair. The poor table had been reparo'd since he last used it as a shield, but it creaked and stayed strong. She looked even more sullen and fragile than their last fight. All of the previous fire and anger had left her eyes and all that was left was a sad, unsure girl looking back at him.
He peeled back the quilt that was covering her and found the hand that was injured. He pulled out his wand to heal her hand. She tried to smile in thanks, but her smile was a broken one. "Malfoy... Draco... is there world enough for me?"
She shrugged at his questioning look. "I don't know. Sometimes, sometimes, I think not. I don't think the world, or anyone in the world for that matter, can handle me."
"I could," Draco said quietly, still watching the skin mend.
This time it was her turn to look puzzled. He finally looked up from the healing and met her gaze. "I've learned. And even after you tortured me these past months, I'm still here, aren't I?
Ginny scoffed. "You said that I was a mistake. That we were a mistake."
Draco frowned. "I didn't mean us. I meant that we made a mistake in communicating--you know, with the protection bit? I never said we were a mistake. You didn't even give me a chance to let me tell you what I thought of us."
She frowned. "Are you telling me these past two months, I didn't have to do any it for your attention?"
"Ginny, you may have my attention now, but at what cost? Look at you. You're back, curled up in your chair. According to Granger, this isn't your first time here, either."
He silent for a bit while he wove his fingers through the small hand he had just healed. "Remember that time back at Hogwarts when your brothers set off that crazy swamp and quit school? I heard that it was originally your plan--that Potter needed a distraction of some sort?" She nodded, curious to see where this was going. "Well, when everyone was watching your brothers, I was watching you. While they were flying off into the sunset, you were right there, red hair flying everywhere, jumping up and down, cheering for them in the first row. That image stuck with me. I knew then that you'd be the next hellion the school would have to watch out for. If anyone was to follow in their footsteps, it would be you. And I was right. You are the life of the party, the girl who makes heads turn when she walks into the room. Ginny, you've always had my attention."
She shrugged. "I guess."
"Ginny. There are some people who fall in love over and over and there are others who can seem to do it only once. You were my once." She looked at him doubtfully. "You are my once," he stated firmly. "So rely on me. Let me handle you. You don't need to go at break-neck speed before. You already have my attention. You've always had it and you always will. So please, slow down now?"
Ginny evaluated this man before her. Someone who claimed to see her, who had stayed beside her, who was telling her the world wasn't empty. She slowly nodded. "Okay." She smiled, eyes twinkling a little bit. "Does this count as you begging me to sleep with you again? Because if it does, I'm one very rich witch."
Draco growled and scooped her out of her her chair. "I demand you split the pot with me for helping you win," he demanded, kissing her before the poor table finally collapsed under his weight.
"Bloody hell."
***
*Epilogue*
"Malfoy."
"Granger."
"You owe me."
"Oh? Pray tell how have you calculated that inside that hair bush of yours?"
"At least I'll never go bald," she shot back, eyeing his hairline.
"Ha! I didn't check my hair this time!" Draco crowed victoriously.
"Congrats, Malfoy. And that only took you two years to learn? I'm so proud," she said, patting his cheek, as if he were Ron. "Anyway, the way I see it, you wouldn't have married Ginny today if it wasn't for me."
"I'm feeling generous today, so I suppose I can admit you did have a bit of a hand in that. So what do you want, Granger? A cookie?"
"Actually, all I need from you is your presence. And really, it's your own fault. If you're going to skirt departmental regulations to have a gambling club, sooner or later someone is going to see the moneymaking opportunities."
"What are you talk-- Is that your wand? How did you get your wand--"
"Stupefy!" Hermione grinned. Who said being the boss didn't have perks? "Harry! Harry! Come quick! Draco just collapsed! They collected all of our wands at the door! You need to do CPR!"
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Briefly describe what you'd like to receive in your fic
I want to read adult D/G, I don't really care what situation (job, status, wealth, etc) they're in but I love seeing them as adults.The tone/mood of the fic:
An element/line of dialogue/object you would like in your fic: I would love to see some reflection/mention on Hogwarts times.
Preferred rating of the the fic you want: PG-13 - NC-17
Canon or AU? Both, I'm not sure how it would with adult fic.
Deal Breakers (anything you don't want?): Erm, I guess I don't want to see to outrageous reactions from Weasley family, esp with Ron. I find some of the fic are overdone with their actions.
Author: goeungurl
Rating: R
Possible Spoilers/Warnings: Books 1-7 (minus the epilogue), sex, language
Author's Notes: Since I was watching the movie when I started the fic, inspiration must be attributed to Bridget from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. (The fic title was inspired from a quote from the book.) The betting calendar is from The Office. A huge, huge thank you so much to the wonderful mods for their infinite patience, giving me a chance to write this, and for providing such a great place for all of us to come play. And of course, thank you to all my betas who held my hand throughout the whole process. And the awesome line re: humility? From numbaby.
Summary: Boss Hermione transfers Ginny to Draco's department at the Ministry. Gambling, sex, fights, and snark ensue.
Winner Takes All
"Malfoy."
"Granger."
"I have a problem."
"Just one? Is it red and itchy? They have potions for that you know."
"..."
"Come on, Granger. You should've seen that one coming."
"Fine. Ginny Weasley."
"Little Weasley?"
"How can I say this delicately--you owe her. Your family owes her. Or rather, your father owes her. And you are going to help her."
Malfoy just arched an eyebrow.
Hermione sighed and poured them each tea. "Sit. It's a long story. Ginny... Ginny grew up in a happy home--"
"She was all fine, wonderfully, red-headed, freckled, and happy with a million brothers, right? And then my evil father gave her a diary and she's all damaged? Is that it? Spare me the sob story, Granger. I'm not my father."
"It's not that simple, Malfoy," Hermione nearly snapped. She took a breath to calm herself. Ginny needed something that would be sure to snap her out of her current depression over the anniversary of Fred's death. Draco Malfoy was Hermione's last, drastic resort. "Ginny is single-minded to the point of recklessness. She's the youngest in the family so she's learned to clamor for attention and power. But once she has the attention, she often doesn't know what to do with it because in her family, she's was never able to keep it for long before it was stolen from her again. "
Checking to make sure he was still paying attention, she took a breath and continued. "And the diary and Riddle? Screwed with her. Her life was recast and remade at that point. She still has fault lines left behind. She is afraid to rely on anyone but afraid to be alone. As a result, she only has two speeds. Fast or slow. She's normally a whirlwind of activity, going at break-neck speeds. She's the first one to take a shot, first one to jump headfirst into a pool. But occasionally, when something unexpected slams into her, she shuts down. That's her slow speed. She's left soft, unsure. She worries and frets."
Pretending to be uninterested in Hermione's psychoanalysis, he raised what he hoped was an uninterested eyebrow. "And I come in how?"
"She isn't good at putting herself back together. She needs someone to push her. And you are better at pushing people than anyone I know."
"Why, thank you for the compliment, Granger," Draco smirked. "You really know how to stroke a guy's ego."
"You want me to stroke you, Malfoy?"
Draco practically gagged at the mental image.
"Exactly. Don't start with me." Hermione stood. "Besides, I'm your department head and I'm transferring her to your division. You don't really have a say. Take care of her."
***
"But, Hermione, why? It's Malfoy!" Ron protested. He had come running from the auror headquarters as soon as he had gotten Hermione's interdepartmental memo.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ron, haven't you learned in the fifteen odd years you've known me, you need to trust me?"
"Mate, do something," Ron tried to reason with Harry. "You used to date Ginny. Don't you have some kind of feelings towards her?"
"That was years ago," Harry said dismissively. "And you've seen Ginny. Even you can't disagree--she needs a change. So just trust Hermione, mate."
"See? Harry has learned. About time you did too, Ron," Hermione said with finality as she signed the transfer order.
***
Ginny listlessly carried her desk contents from the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee to the Obliviator Headquarters. Hermione's reasonable voice flooded her head, 'I know you'll be working for Malfoy, but Ginny, he's really not that bad. And you'll get to be out of the office sometimes! Think how much fun that will be!'
"Fun, my arse. Like she'd know fun if it danced naked in front of her," Ginny muttered, dropping her box into a cubicle marked "Ginny Weasley."
"Granger?" a voice dryly asked from behind her.
Ginny turned to face Draco Malfoy, her new boss extraordinaire. "Malfoy. And yes, Granger."
"She's always going to be a busy-bodied know-it-all. But she's right. We do have fun over here," Draco said, settling into Ginny's chair. "Just don't tell Granger."
"Fun? Sure. Whatever." Ginny said skeptically. She checked her watch, mentally counting the hours until she could go home and curl up with the wireless.
"We do. I'll prove it." Draco jumped up and dragged her around the corner to where people were huddled around a huge wall calendar. As Ginny approached, someone quickly waved their wand, erasing the writing on the calendar. "She's okay," Draco reassured, bringing the writing back to the calendar. "Everyone, this is Ginny Weasley. She's starting here as for today. Anything good going on?"
Ginny took a step closer to the calendar. It was a massive pool betting on anything and everything--when Isabel's baby was due, when the Christmas bonuses would be delivered, who would win the next Quidditch Cup, when Hermione would kiss Ron, when Ron would kiss Harry, when Harry would kiss Draco. She gave Draco a questioning look after the last one.
"It's not against department regulations. It's just says that betting is discouraged--not forbidden," Draco explained defensively.
"Not that. Harry is supposed to kiss you?" Ginny asked dismissively.
"Oh, that actually went up there? Ponces," Draco muttered. "It's a long story. More of a joke than anything. You can get really good odds on it though, since it's highly unlikely."
"How have I never heard about this? Why haven't any of the other departments?" she questioned, only mildly interested.
"What? You think we work as Obliviators for nothing? There have to be some perks to the job," Draco smirked.
Ginny knew this sounded suspicious and highly illegal, but she liked the idea. Fred would've liked the idea. It appealed to her competitive nature and the excitement in the department was contagious. She cautiously took a closer step to the chart. "Okay. I'm in. Just show me what I need to do."
"That's what she said," someone called out. There was applause and a mark on the board. Draco smirked. "There's a daily pot on how many times that phrase can be legitimately be said. But anyway, we're glad to have you. We could use some fresh blood. You're going to fit in here just fine."
For the first time in months, the old sparkle appeared in Ginny's eye as she cracked a grin. "That's what she said?" she quipped, inspiring many cheers amongst her new coworkers.
***
"Malfoy."
"Granger."
"The hallway is wide enough. Quit walking behind me like a stalker."
"I'm just admiring the view, Granger."
"Charming. How's Ginny doing?"
"Very polite, Granger. Never mind how your own division head is doing. Never mind I might have had some family tragedy over the weekend. Just ask after your own precious Ginny."
"All I have to do for an update on your life, Malfoy, is to take a look at the gossip column of Witch Weekly. Are you sure you want your boss talking about your sexual exploits with Connie? Tammie? Nikki? Which one was it this week?"
"It was Tiffany," Draco said with a smirk. "I didn't know you had a subscription to Witch Weekly, Granger."
"As your boss, I have to keep track of you somehow," Hermione said coolly, knowing Draco hated being reminded she was promoted above him.
"Funny, you would think a good boss would be nice to the employee that is doing a favor for her."
This time it was Granger's turn to look strangled. This is why she avoided being indebted to Slytherins. "Just take good care of Ginny, Malfoy."
"She'd doing well in case you haven't noticed," he said in a moment of seriousness. Once the redhead had been in the department a few weeks, she had quickly become the life of the party. Her competitive nature had come to life, coming up with new and crazy bets for the office to take part in. Her latest brainchild was a race to see if Hermione was a thong or briefs girl. Draco had been drawn into her whirlwind along with everyone else--with Ginny Weasley, you just couldn't help it.
"I have noticed, actually. I guess I might actually owe you." Hermione laughed to herself as she turned to enter her office. "Who knew that Malfoy's being a complete bastard would come in handy?"
"Name calling? You already owe me. Do you really want to give me ammunition for a harassment claim too?" Draco called after her, still intently staring at her backside.
"I'll just counter sue with a sexual harassment complaint," she called over her shoulder, firmly shutting the door to her office away from his prying eyes.
***
"Hermione, I have to admit it. You were right," Harry admitted as the trio stood in lunch line at the Ministry's tearoom. "Ginny has brightened up since she moved to Malfoy's department."
"She has. But I hope she actually stays happy for a while and keeps from doing anything crazy for a while," Hermione murmured while debating between the meatloaf and the salad.
"I think it might be too late for that," Ron muttered, inwardly cursing Ginny for walking in on him and Pansy while they were preoccupied in various naked activities. He cringed and stretched his hand out toward Hermione's butt.
"Don't, mate. She'll kill you," Harry frantically whispered, snatching Ron's hand back.
Ron instantly colored until the tips of his ears. "I can't! Ginny is--"
"--Blackmailing you too?" Harry interrupted, slightly relieved. He gestured in Hermione's direction, "Thong or briefs?"
Ron nodded. "Together? Hermione can't kill us both, right?"
"Death by Hermione or humiliation by Ginny. Our lives aren't fair, mate," Harry muttered as they approached Hermione digging through her purse for change.
"I'm sure Ginny will be fine," Ron said, cautiously approaching Hermione.
"Yes, all thanks to our 'Mione," Harry added. He nodded at Ron, and they simultaneously reached out and patted Hermione on the butt. "We're very proud."
Hermione jumped and whipped out her wand. "What's going on?" she asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," Ron choked out before running off.
"We're just really proud and uh... that's a really great skirt," Harry stammered. "Ron and I had a uh... training we forgot about. Bye!"
Hermione shook her head at the retreating figures of her best friends. "Odd. First Malfoy and now Ron and Harry. Guess Victoria really does have some kind of secret."
***
Ginny's grin stretched from ear to ear as she collected money from the pot. She jingled her pouch of Galleons in front of Draco's face. "So Malfoy, how does it feel to lose and get caught staring by Hermione on top of that?"
"I don't know, Weasley. What does it feel like to have some decent money?" Draco teased back. An old insult, done more out of habit than real malice.
"Bloody brilliant. Oh, and everyone?" she called out. "I'm taking everyone out for drinks now so we can celebrate just how wonderful and skilled I am at winning."
Draco shook his head in amusement. "Humble much, Weasley?" he laughed as he gathered his cloak.
"Humility is for the inadequate, darling," Ginny shot back as she linked arms with him to lead the crowd to the pub.
****
Once they had drunk away most of her winnings, Ginny turned to Draco who had been carefully watching her all night. "So Malfoy," she murmured, sidling close to him, enjoying his body heat. "Are you finally going to make a move on me tonight?"
"Maybe in your wildest dreams, Weasley." Draco automatically denied. At first, his excuse had been that he was watching out for her as per Hermione's request. But now? He had to admit, the carefree, rambunctious redhead had captured his attention (and everyone else's heart in the department). When Ginny got the mischievous sparkle in her eye, there was no denying her, no getting away from her magnetic personality.
"Bollocks, Malfoy. You're the one that's been watching my every move since I've transferred. You've made sure I was partnered with you more than anyone else on assignments." She ran a fingertip up the side of his face, tracing his lips. "I think it's you that wants me."
"That might be," Draco conceded, removing her finger from his lips, "but I'm your boss. Nothing could happen."
"I'll take what I can get." Ginny looked down at the hand that was still holding her finger. She winked at Draco and pulled him onto the dance floor. "Just dance with me."
It was that damn sparkle again. Draco followed her onto the floor and tried to put a respectable distance between them, but Ginny stepped up and pushed her hips into his. "It's okay," she whispered into his ear. "Everyone else is either gone or too drunk to care."
"You're drunk," he murmured back into her ear, lips brushing the lobe. Despite his protests, his hands automatically travelled down to rest on her hips which swayed in time to the music.
"Not drunk," she corrected, twirling out under his arm. She swung back, tucking herself back into his arms. "Just... happy." She looked up into his hooded eyes and back down to his lips. Instinctively, she licked her lips and smiled. "So, thank you," she whispered before closing the distance between them and kissing him.
Despite Hermione's voice in his head spouting off the department rules, Draco closed his eyes and gave into this crazy redhead that he hadn't been able to take his eyes off of for the past few months. Her lips were just as soft as he suspected, her tongue just as aggressive, and her hands just as urgent. "Damn, Granger and her rules," Draco growled as he pushed Ginny against a wall. "Department heads aren't allowed to sleep with their department members. We have to stop."
"No we don't," Ginny whispered, licking a line up the throbbing vein in his neck before biting and sucking on his bottom lip. "What she doesn't know won't hurt her. Since when have you listened to Hermione anyway?"
Her logic seemed to make sense in his lust-crazed mind. He pulled her into the shadows of the club and pushed her against the wall before attacking her lips with renewed force. One of her hands had somehow found their way under his shirt, scratching his back, while the other was frantically trying to work his belt buckle. His own hand yanked open her blouse, pulling her breasts out of her bra. While his tongue rolled around nipple, his ears were rewarded the sound of her moaning his name. "Not Malfoy," he corrected. "Draco."
"Draco, then," she acquiesced. Finally, victorious against his trousers, she reached down to stroke his aching hardness. He growled in response and used his knee to part her legs causing her skirt to ride up. His fingers found their way to the soft wetness in between thighs. "Draco," she gasped, thankful for some relief from the building pressure in her lower belly. She ground against his fingers and stroked faster. "Inside me," she ordered, in between her quickened breaths.
"As the lady wishes," Draco said through gritted teeth. He hitched her up and wrapped her legs around his waist before pushing his way into her velvety folds. His hands supporting her supple bottom, he started to pound her into the wall. As Ginny gripped onto his shoulders and bit into his neck, a brief thought entered her mind of contraception and privacy spells or what Ron and her coworkers would think. Instead, she wove her fingers through his hair and allowed the sensation of being filled repeatedly push any thoughts of consequences out of her mind.
Although he knew he was supporting her, Draco couldn't resist the temptation to bend down lick one of the breasts that was conveniently bouncing in front of his face. Breathing heavily, Ginny reached in between them to squeeze the bundle of nerves that she knew would be sure to set her off. The wood was digging into her back and she knew that it couldn't be easy for Draco to support her either, but like hell was she going to let him get off before her.
Entranced by watching her climax and struggle to keep her screams to a gasp, he was relieved when she finally came. With a few more thrusts, he bit his lip to keep from screaming her name and emptied himself into her with a shudder. Still joined, they stood gasping together, as their heart rates and sanity was restored.
She slowly unwound herself from him and he let her back down on the floor. They each hastily straightened their clothes and hair, eyes avoiding each other the whole time. "So, um," Draco hesitated, "You're on the contraceptive potion, right?"
Ginny ran her fingers through her hair, desperately trying to fix the matted mess in the back of her head to avoid answering. "Well, not exactly. I mean, I was, but I ran out a few months ago," she mumbled.
"What??" he exclaimed, raking his hands through his own hair, more out of frustration than anything. "Since you didn't mention the doing a contraceptive spell, I assumed you were protected already!"
"Well, it's not like you said anything either," she shot back. "I thought you would pull out at the end."
"I never...," He stopped and just shook his head. "We could argue about this for hours. We were both stupid."
"Glad it was good for you too," she muttered under her breath. She cleared her throat. "I'll just take the morning after potion."
Draco eyed her curiously. "Have you ever taken that potion before? I heard it wasn't the easiest potion to take."
"Whatever. I'll be fine," she said dismissively. She stepped out of the shadows into the light of the pub. It didn't look like they had been missed, she assessed. "See you tomorrow, Malfoy."
More worried than he let on, Draco watched apparate away before going to the bar to close out his tab. "Bloody hell, wench," he cursed when he realized Ginny had been drinking off of his tab the entire night.
***
"Malfoy!"
"Unhand my arm, woman. Unlike Scarhead and Weasel, I don't like being manhandled by girls."
Ignoring his comment, Hermione shook his arm. "I'm being serious, Malfoy. Why hasn't Ginny been at work this past week?"
"Other than her first owl that said she was sick, I have no idea," Draco lied smoothly, wrenching his arm out of her grasp. He straightened his jacket and his tie. "Who knew, Granger? You have a pincer claw there." Truth was, he was worried too. After that fateful warning, Draco had owled her a morning after potion along with a horrifying list of side-effects that the potions master had insisted on giving him, which included not only physical discomforts, but could possibly wreak havoc on her emotions as well.
"You're lying, Malfoy. I know," Hermione accused, poking his chest.
"Bloody hell, woman," Draco said, protecting his chest. "What is with the physical abuse?"
"The physical abuse is about to get worse," Hermione threatened, poking him. "You shagged Ginny in the back of the pub and now she's avoiding you. Malcolm Baddock told me."
"It was consensual and she's of age. Unlike you, Ginny apparently knows a good shag when she sees one because she came onto me," Draco sniffed. Despite his cavalier manner, he was actually relieved that for once Hermione was not all-knowing. The hair bush would be absolutely unbearable to work with if she knew what had actually happened.
"Whatever, Malfoy. My taste in men is fine. Not every woman is going to fall at your feet because you were poncy enough to pose for Witch Weekly."
"A bespeckled git and a gangly tomato is not fine. And I only posed because they voted me 'Most Eligible Bachelor.' Who am I to deny the witches of England of my charming good looks?" Draco said, striking a pose against the wall and flashing Hermione his 'Sexiest Smile of the Year' smile.
"Stop. You look like a child predator," Hermione shot back. She glared at him and poked him again. "Did I not tell you before I transferred Ginny that she only has two speeds? She's more fragile than she looks. She clamors for attention and once she gets what she wants she doesn't know how to deal with the consequences. You need to go talk to her. Apologize. Make this right." Hermione jabbed her finger into Draco's chest one more time for good measure before stomping off.
"So that's how Scarface and Weasel like it," Draco called out as his parting shot while rubbing his chest.
***
"Have either of you been to see Ginny?" Hermione asked as she slammed down her lunch on the table.
"Blimey! What crawled up your arse and died?" Ron asked, mouth full of food.
"Eat. Chew. Swallow. Then speak, Ron. It really is a simple concept," Hermione retorted.
He swallowed and gave her a big smile with a chunk of lettuce stuck in his tooth. "Better?"
Hermione rolled her eye heavenward and counted to ten. She turned to Harry. "Have you?"
Learning from Ron, he chewed and swallowed before answering. "What's going on, Hermione? Why are you so upset?"
Hermione sighed and slumped in her chair. "I think Ginny is might be sliding back into depression. She says she's just sick, but I don't think I believe her."
"Why? What's the reason this time?" Harry asked, biting a chip. "And why did Malfoy poke me in the hallway earlier?"
"He did what? Poked you?" she asked straightening up.
"Yeah, in the chest. Said to ask you about it and that you would like it?" Harry said with a frown.
She closed her eyes and silently counted to ten before pulling out her planner. Ron read over her shoulder, "Castrate Malfoy, 4 p.m. Oh, that's brill! Can I watch?"
With a strangled sound of frustration that sounded something like 'useless men', Hermione snapped her planner and stalked off.
***
Ginny rolled over in her bed and tried to ignore the pounding in her head. No wait. That's the door. She sighed and shuffled to open the door. She looked at Draco standing on her doorstep, looking as meticulous and stylish as ever. She crossed her arms across her chest and leaned against the doorframe. "What?"
"And a good day to you too, Ginny," Draco greeted, pushing past her into her sitting room. He sat down at her sofa and looked expectantly at the girl who was presently glaring at him. "And yes, I would love to stay for tea. Thank you."
"Whatever gets you to leave," she said with a sigh, not having the energy to fight him.
While she left to prepare tea, Draco frowned at her hollowness in her eyes. It was late in the afternoon but she had obviously not been out of bed yet. There were half-eaten boxes of take away strewn across the room. She came back and set a cup in front of him and curled up in the armchair across from him.
"Are you not going to have tea?" Draco asked. "How do I know you haven't poisoned it?" he asked, trying to get her to smile, but to no avail. She simply pulled a quilt over her legs and rested her head on the armrest.
"We've missed you at work," Draco said cautiously. How the hell are you supposed to treat a depressed person? He had never done this before. Normally, he'd scoff and wipe his feet on them, but Ginny was different. She had manage to catch his attention and now, he didn't want her to let go. He wanted to see that sparkle in her eyes again.
She just shrugged. This is fucking brill. Last resort. Granger said to apologize. Bloody hell. "So, I'm sorry?" he offered.
"Yes, because that sounds so convincing," Ginny muttered, pulling the quilt over her head. He heard a muffled voice say, "Just leave, Malfoy. You don't even know what you're sorry for."
Since Ginny couldn't see him, Draco uncomfortably shifted in his seat. "But I'm sorry, regardless. About last week. It was a stupid mistake."
Ginny shot up in her armchair, scrambling for her wand. The emptiness in her eyes were replaced not with a sparkle, but with rage. "I'm serious, Malfoy. Just leave before I hex you," she snapped. I've been hiding away in my flat for a week debating how to approach Draco about a second go around and he just dismisses it as a bloody mistake? I'm a fool. A blasted buggering fool.
"What? What did I say? I just said sorry!" Draco cried, pulling out his wand and crouching into a defensive stance. His eyes darted around the room, calculating the risks between each of the exits from the room and his odds of making it to any of them. "This is the last time I'm listening to Granger," he mumbled.
"WHAT?? You told Hermione??" she screeched, flinging a bat-bogey hex his way. Draco dove for cover under her coffee table which was blasted to bits by the hex. "I liked that table," she cried, throwing another hex.
This time, Draco darted to the closest exit from the room and threw the body bind curse over his shoulder. He was gearing to run when he heard Ginny hit the floor with a thud. He cautiously re-entered the room and smirked at Ginny lying on the floor. "Tsk, tsk. Looks like I won this time," he crowed. The look in Ginny's eyes were murderous. It wasn't the lively sparkle he was used to seeing but it was an improvement over the blankness that had been in her eyes before. Satisfied, he turned to leave. "I'll let Granger know so she can come unbind you," he graciously offered before apparating away.
***
"Malfoy."
"Granger."
"You owe me. I had to physically restrain Ginny from coming after your sorry self."
"Do you ever not come to work, Granger? Take a vacation day? Temporarily remove the stick from your arse? Go to the spa? Maybe some shopping? Some shagging?"
"Why? Are you offering, Malfoy? After all, we both know that's the only way you'll ever get promoted," she shot back.
"I'm a Slytherin," he sniffed disdainfully. "I use whatever means was necessary to achieve the end."
"You haven't seen Ginny yet, have you?" Hermione laughed. "I'm going spare you this time. You'll need all of your pathetic attempts at wit to survive what you have coming to you."
Draco wanted to shift uneasily on his feet again, but he resisted and instead, rolled his eyes and walked away. If he couldn't come up with a retort at least he could look disdainful while doing it.
***
"Hermione! You have to do something!" Ron cried, barreling into Hermione's office. "She's completely crazy this time!"
Harry shrugged as he followed Ron's dramatic entrance. "I think she looks fine."
"You!" Ron cried, wheeling on Harry. "You are not allowed to look at her. In fact, no one is allowed to look at her besides Hermione." He looked at Hermione and pouted. "Please?"
"Ginny is a grown woman. She will do as she pleases," Hermione reasoned.
"Please?" Ron pouted. "You're her best girlfriend!"
Hermione couldn't hold back her laughter. "Oh, Ron. I've known you for fifteen years. If your puppy-dog look didn't work the first year, it's not going to work fifteen years later."
***
Wary, Draco walked into the department. The elevated noise level was coming from the betting calendar and over the tops of cubicles he could see everyone crowded around a familiar redhead.
"So she's finally decided to be responsible and come back to work," he drawled as he approached the group. The crowd parted like oil and water when they heard his voice to reveal Ginny's shapely behind in a short pencil skirt and insanely high heels. He was so distracted by the length of her legs and where they disappeared under that skirt that he missed the entry that she was bending over to write.
"Hello, Draco," she greeted, turning around. She had on a skintight blouse that was unbuttoned halfway so you could see plenty of cleavage and a dark green lacy bra peeking through the vee. Her perfume tickled his nose as she leaned in close to him to whisper in his ear, "You'll be wishing for another stupid mistake by the time I'm done with you."
She whirled around to survey the crowd before her eyes settled on Malcolm Baddock who was having trouble looking diverting his eyes from her chest. She sashayed her way past Draco and placed a fingertip under Malcolm's chin and pushed it up. "My eyes are up here," she said. He finally looked up and she gave him an almost feral grin. She shot Draco a glare where he saw the rage outlined in her eyes before she wrapped her hand around Malcolm's tie. "Follow me," she growled, pulling him into the supply closet, amongst cheering of the office.
'Bloody fucking hell. What have I done?' he wondered as his eyes fell on the calendar. There, in fresh ink next to the old 'when Ron Weasley will kiss Harry Potter'entry was Ginny's new entry" 'When Draco Malfoy will beg Ginny Weasley to sleep with him again.' This time his swearing rang throughout the office.
***
"Malfoy."
"Hair bush--I mean, Granger."
"I'm sorry, Malfoy. Are you balding?"
His hand automatically shot up to his hairline. "That was cheap, Granger, and you know it."
"I'm just concerned for your well-being. I imagine these past couple of months have been hard on you. I thought the stress may have impacted your hairline."
"I don't know what you're talking about," he denied, trying to catch his reflection in the mirror so that he could reassure himself his hairline was still in place.
"I keep getting complaints from your department that you've been increasingly difficult to get along with. First, Malcolm Baddock claims you sent him on an operation that didn't even need an Obliviator and he just ended up getting hexed and put in St. Mungo's. Then, Stebbins and Summers also get themselves landed in Mungo's because they fell down some stairs and you just happened to be standing behind them? In fact, I think I've gotten a complaint from just about every male in your department and a couple from others. I think my favorite, however, is little Euan Abercrombie. Hanging him upside-down in the tearoom for six hours as a security measure? Seriously, Malfoy?"
"I thought it was odd too, but the lovely lunch ladies of the tearoom insisted that is what they needed," he sniffed.
"And it has nothing to do with the fact that they've been dating Ginny over the past two months?"
Draco snorted. "Ha, if you call that dating."
"So you do admit it bothers you!" Hermione cried victoriously. "Admit it. You have feelings for Ginny."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "Only if you admit you have feelings for Potter and Weasel."
Her jaw dropped as she shot him a glare. "Both of them? At once? Please, Malfoy."
Draco just smirked. "Don't be so narrow-minded, Granger," he said loftily. "Love isn't supposed to make sense."
"Stop trying to distract me, Malfoy. You have feelings for Ginny."
"I shagged her once. In the back of a bar. We were drunk. How does that equal feelings?"
"You were interested in her before that. The shagging just pushed you over the edge," she explained logically. "Since then, you haven't been able to keep your eyes off of her and you can't stand that other people have her and you can't."
"The unresolved sexual tension between Potter and Weasel must finally be getting to you. You're not making sense, Granger," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand, as he started to continue down the hallway.
"I thought love wasn't supposed to make sense, Malfoy," she called out behind him.
***
"Hermione! Hermione!!"
Hermione walked to her office doorway to look out to see a red-faced Ron running down the hall towards her. "Ron, how many times do I have to say to keep your voice--"
"Ginny's been hurt!" Ron interrupted. He didn't stop running and just yelled over his shoulder, "She's okay and at home, but Harry and I are going after him!"
"Wait! Who?? What happened?" Hermione cried out after him, but to no avail. "Damn it!"
Hermione quickly jotted an urgent paper airplane to Draco before taking off in Ron's direction.
Malfoy, Ron says some guy hurt Ginny. Ron and Harry are taking care of him but perhaps you can go see to Ginny? I'd go myself but when Ron gets angry, he forgets to think. I need to go do that for him. As usual. --Hermione"
***
An annoyed and tired Ginny opened her door to a unkempt and frazzled Draco. "What is with you and pounding on my door?"
For once she was back in her trainers and t-shirt. Draco ignored her and grabbed her by the shoulders. "What happened? Are you okay? Who was it?"
She frowned and rubbed her temples. "I'm too tired for these games anymore, Draco." She didn't bother closing the door and headed for the sitting room. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Draco waved his note in the air, as he shut the door and followed her into the room. "Granger said that you were hurt! Ron said some guy hurt you?"
"Oh. That," she said dismissively. "It's nothing," she said as she curled up into her previous position in the armchair. "I was in the tearoom and some piece of shite called me a floozy. I hit him but my hand scratched on his teeth. It's no big deal. Ron just only heard part of the story again. As usual."
"Oh," Draco said, suddenly self-conscious about his sudden appearance and frazzled state. He resisted the urge to finger-comb his hair, however, and instead, sat on the edge of the coffee table so that he was facing her chair. The poor table had been reparo'd since he last used it as a shield, but it creaked and stayed strong. She looked even more sullen and fragile than their last fight. All of the previous fire and anger had left her eyes and all that was left was a sad, unsure girl looking back at him.
He peeled back the quilt that was covering her and found the hand that was injured. He pulled out his wand to heal her hand. She tried to smile in thanks, but her smile was a broken one. "Malfoy... Draco... is there world enough for me?"
She shrugged at his questioning look. "I don't know. Sometimes, sometimes, I think not. I don't think the world, or anyone in the world for that matter, can handle me."
"I could," Draco said quietly, still watching the skin mend.
This time it was her turn to look puzzled. He finally looked up from the healing and met her gaze. "I've learned. And even after you tortured me these past months, I'm still here, aren't I?
Ginny scoffed. "You said that I was a mistake. That we were a mistake."
Draco frowned. "I didn't mean us. I meant that we made a mistake in communicating--you know, with the protection bit? I never said we were a mistake. You didn't even give me a chance to let me tell you what I thought of us."
She frowned. "Are you telling me these past two months, I didn't have to do any it for your attention?"
"Ginny, you may have my attention now, but at what cost? Look at you. You're back, curled up in your chair. According to Granger, this isn't your first time here, either."
He silent for a bit while he wove his fingers through the small hand he had just healed. "Remember that time back at Hogwarts when your brothers set off that crazy swamp and quit school? I heard that it was originally your plan--that Potter needed a distraction of some sort?" She nodded, curious to see where this was going. "Well, when everyone was watching your brothers, I was watching you. While they were flying off into the sunset, you were right there, red hair flying everywhere, jumping up and down, cheering for them in the first row. That image stuck with me. I knew then that you'd be the next hellion the school would have to watch out for. If anyone was to follow in their footsteps, it would be you. And I was right. You are the life of the party, the girl who makes heads turn when she walks into the room. Ginny, you've always had my attention."
She shrugged. "I guess."
"Ginny. There are some people who fall in love over and over and there are others who can seem to do it only once. You were my once." She looked at him doubtfully. "You are my once," he stated firmly. "So rely on me. Let me handle you. You don't need to go at break-neck speed before. You already have my attention. You've always had it and you always will. So please, slow down now?"
Ginny evaluated this man before her. Someone who claimed to see her, who had stayed beside her, who was telling her the world wasn't empty. She slowly nodded. "Okay." She smiled, eyes twinkling a little bit. "Does this count as you begging me to sleep with you again? Because if it does, I'm one very rich witch."
Draco growled and scooped her out of her her chair. "I demand you split the pot with me for helping you win," he demanded, kissing her before the poor table finally collapsed under his weight.
"Bloody hell."
***
*Epilogue*
"Malfoy."
"Granger."
"You owe me."
"Oh? Pray tell how have you calculated that inside that hair bush of yours?"
"At least I'll never go bald," she shot back, eyeing his hairline.
"Ha! I didn't check my hair this time!" Draco crowed victoriously.
"Congrats, Malfoy. And that only took you two years to learn? I'm so proud," she said, patting his cheek, as if he were Ron. "Anyway, the way I see it, you wouldn't have married Ginny today if it wasn't for me."
"I'm feeling generous today, so I suppose I can admit you did have a bit of a hand in that. So what do you want, Granger? A cookie?"
"Actually, all I need from you is your presence. And really, it's your own fault. If you're going to skirt departmental regulations to have a gambling club, sooner or later someone is going to see the moneymaking opportunities."
"What are you talk-- Is that your wand? How did you get your wand--"
"Stupefy!" Hermione grinned. Who said being the boss didn't have perks? "Harry! Harry! Come quick! Draco just collapsed! They collected all of our wands at the door! You need to do CPR!"
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Briefly describe what you'd like to receive in your fic
I want to read adult D/G, I don't really care what situation (job, status, wealth, etc) they're in but I love seeing them as adults.The tone/mood of the fic:
An element/line of dialogue/object you would like in your fic: I would love to see some reflection/mention on Hogwarts times.
Preferred rating of the the fic you want: PG-13 - NC-17
Canon or AU? Both, I'm not sure how it would with adult fic.
Deal Breakers (anything you don't want?): Erm, I guess I don't want to see to outrageous reactions from Weasley family, esp with Ron. I find some of the fic are overdone with their actions.