Now That I Know

Now That I Know

Chapter One ~ That's What I'm Told

It's a new day

But it all feels old

It's a good life

That's what I'm told

But everything, it all just feels the same

--'The Anthem', Good Charlotte--

Boring, boring, boring. Ginny Weasley had enough. First she'd spent her entire (boring) morning doing nothing but stare at the (boring) TV in the (boring) apartment she and her best friend-cum-housemate Jade Farrell shared. Jade was out, as usual; with her beloved boyfriend Blaise Zabini, who just happened to be Ginny's ex-schoolmate from Hogwarts (and also happened to be the one Ginny had this tiny little crush on). Second, Jade came back, bursting with news--Blaise had asked her to marry him (now, this would not have been as boring if Ginny hadn't been to four weddings in the past year--first Bill's, then George's, then Fred's, and finally, Ron's).

And so, after much jumping around and shrieking like maniacs, Ginny and Jade settled down. It was then that Jade delivered piece-of-news number three--Ginny was to be co-wedding planner (being Jade's best friend), together with Blaise's own best friend, none other than Draco Malfoy. And this was when every little bit of boring news Ginny had just heard dissolved. No longer was her life going to be boring. It was going to be hell.

Ginny wasn't sure if it was the jumping around she had just done, or the shock of finding out she would have to be working with her worst nightmare (she reckoned it was the shock), but she felt faint and had to sit down.

So, one week later, after many more jumping-and-screaming sessions and ooh-ing and aah-ing over the beautiful diamond engagement ring Blaise had given Jade, Ginny found herself standing in her room, getting ready for the so-called day out with Blaise, Jade and Draco (She would have preferred to call it the day tailor-made in hell for her).

"Gin! Are you ready yet, or do I have to get Draco to drag you out of there?" Jade yelled, banging on the door for the fifth time. Ginny hastily eenie-meenie-mainee-mo-ed her way to choosing an outfit (she had to look good--after all, she was going to see Blaise...) and called back, "Sorry, Jade--and no, I do not need you to do that!"

She flung on her clothes, examining herself in the full-length mirror. Both she and Jade were witches, but they both worked in Muggle London (Jade owned and ran her own boutique and Ginny was her assistant). Most of Ginny's clothes came from Jade's boutique, which was just as well, since she had never really gotten the clothes she had wanted in the past. Today her eenie-meenie-mainee-mo-ing had given her a baby blue top, short-sleeved; jeans and sneakers in the exact same colour of her top. She pulled a comb through her hair, wondering if what she was wearing was too casual. What the hell. There was no point in trying to impress Blaise anyway--she could probably walk in on him and Jade, wearing absolutely nothing, and he would just continue snogging his bride-to-be.

It was a beautiful day outside, but Ginny felt positively horrid.

* * * * *

"So, what's the plan?" Ginny asked Jade as they stepped out of the flat. The blinding sunlight only irritated her. She wished it would go away.

They began the walk down the street. "Well, we've got to get my dress," Jade said. "And since you're my best friend, you're also the lucky girl who gets to go with me to choose one."

Ginny laughed. Jade could always make her feel better.

"So, while we're choosing gowns," Jade went on in a somewhat dramatic voice, "Blaise and Draco will show up at the shop and we'll all go off somewhere." Her dramatic voice changed back to normal. "Like, I don't know, to talk. You and Draco can catch up, right? After all, you've been talking to Blaise for ages, so you ought to chat Draco up a bit...first time you're seeing him after his graduation..."

She rambled on and on, making Ginny feel rather sick. Forget what she'd thought earlier, about Jade making her feel better. This was only bringing on the nausea. She could only remember the taunts Draco had flung at her, her family, Harry and Hermione. And now she was supposed to chat him up? What was Jade thinking? She clearly hadn't known the brute in Hogwarts; which was, however, acceptable--Jade had been home-schooled.

They arrived at Oxford Street in a few minutes, and Ginny began feeling more and more uneasy. Jade selected a bridal shop, and they trooped in. She immediately chose a stunning, off-the-shoulder gown and dragged Ginny into the enormous fitting room with her.

"So, how does it look?" Jade asked, breathless with excitement, as she whirled around, making the beautiful skirt fan out around her. "Amazing," Ginny said, less enthusiastically than her usual self.

Jade frowned at her reflection. "I don't like these huge things here, though," she said, patting the row of white roses along the neckline. "Hmmm....maybe I can charm them off..."

"Jade, we're in Muggle London, remember?" Ginny reminded her best friend. "And the roses look OK, in my opinion." Maybe if they finished quickly enough, she could escape before Blaise and Draco arrived. Sure, she wouldn't mind seeing Blaise. But Draco? Not a chance.

However, luck was not on her side. Jade tried on five more gowns before spotting a lovely strapless gown covered in tiny white beads. Once more, Ginny was yanked into the fitting room. And this gown was undoubtedly a winner--it was so beautiful, Ginny didn't dare to touch it. Jade seemed satisfied.

"I think this is the one," she said. "Yes, I certainly do think so...Gin, could you go check if Blaise and Draco are here yet?"

Ginny let out a weak "Me?" before Jade gave her one of those Looks that commanded her to obey. She stomped out of the fitting room and down the narrow corridor, back to the door that led to the shop. Impatiently sweeping away the curtain at the doorway, she inhaled sharply in shock, having just come face-to-face with...Draco Malfoy...? Was it him? She took a step back, unsure of what to do. Oh, now he was dishy all right. Pity she hated him so. Her knees began to weaken. For a moment his silver eyes met her hazel ones, and locked.

Is this Jade? Draco wondered when the redhead's eyes and his met. No, it couldn't be--he distinctly remembered meeting her some time ago, and her hair had been brown. Then this must be...

Virginia Weasley.

She was surprisingly good-looking. The Ginny he had known in Hogwarts had been mousy and small, but the Ginny now had certainly matured. She was tall--he noticed that her incredibly long legs contributed to her height--and her long, straight red hair accentuated her incredibly neat features. Small nose, small mouth, small teeth. Her eyes, though, in contrast, were huge. He caught himself just in time.

"Looking for something, Weasley?" he drawled, giving her a condescending look. She swallowed hard. "Yes," she said in a tight voice. "You. And Blaise." She didn't look very happy to see him, although just a few seconds ago she had been gazing at him like a lovesick puppy. Her arms were folded across her chest, and she was not looking at him.

"Looking for me?" he asked in a low voice.

"And Blaise," she snapped.

He smirked. This was going to be fun.