Merely Business

Author's Notes : A major thanks to my best friend, HBPrincess922, for BETAing.

Il Est Beau

In a way, Draco and Ginny's unplanned--and unwanted--lip lock seemed to have sealed the deal for most of the guests at George's party; Ginny Weasley and Drake Black were officially an item. George's reaction, in fact, hadn't actually resulted in the downfall of their plan--far from it. Actually, the news of this "relationship" was the talk of the party.

'Oh! Il est beau!' Fleur gawped, looking Draco up and down from afar. 'Wherever did you find 'im?'

Ginny shrugged sheepishly, knowing deep down that Fleur was right; he was rather handsome. Maybe it was the way he smiled that she had never been able to notice while at Hogwarts due to his habit of scowling all day long. Or maybe it was just that he was no longer spouting insults at everyone he met. Whether the newfound attraction was the work of physical or expressive changes, all Ginny knew was that she liked the new Draco. Like, Ginny told herself mentally. Not fancy, not love, just like.

'Could 'e 'ave veela blood?' Fleur asked, eyeing his bum.

The smile faded from Ginny's face in a fraction of a second, and she felt incredibly disturbed. Draco Malfoy...a veela... no... The thought was more disturbing than watching Fleur eyeing his bum, which Ginny couldn't deny was quite nice. 'I would certainly hope not,' Ginny said, trying to not sound condescending as she remembered that Fleur was part veela. 'How would I ever know whether I truly have feelings for him or if he's just a sight for sore eyes?'

Fleur laughed, and Ginny felt a bit of relief knowing that she hadn't come off as a bitch, yet she still wondered--now that Fleur had mentioned it--whether Draco might actually have some veela blood in his background. Ginny's eyes fell upon her date, who was talking to George. Though no fierce words seem to be being shared, Ginny had a feeling that an intervention would be in order shortly.

'Phle-ur,' Ginny said, almost dropping a "Phlegm-bomb," 'would you excuse me?'

Fleur nodded and searched for another guest to offer her time to. Meanwhile, Ginny scuttled over to Draco's side, trying not to be so obvious. Much to her surprise, however, their conversation was not of anything pertaining to kissing, dating, or sex. They were talking about Quidditch.

'Ginny,' Draco said, putting an arm around her in an attempt to make their act look legit. He looked at her and saw the confused expression on her face. 'Is something wrong?'

Ginny smiled, relieved. 'Surprisingly, no.'

George, forcing a smile, said, 'I'll leave you two alone to talk.' He nodded to Draco, who nodded back courteously. George slipped back Ginny, and she was quite sure she heard the words, 'No kissing,' pass his lips.

Ginny looked up at Draco. 'I'm sorry. This is going to sound incredibly ignorant, but: were you two just talking civilly?'

'Surprisingly enough, yes,' Draco said, as though telling himself rather than Ginny. 'He came up to me and started talking about the Chudley Cannons, how they've been on a winning streak. Though I must say that three straight matches isn't much of a streak...'

Apprehension coursed through Ginny's veins for a brief moment. 'Please, tell me that you didn't say anything--I don't know--patronizing?'

'No, he actually did most of the talking,' Draco said. 'Why? It's just a team.'

Ginny shook her head. Coming from Draco Malfoy, Slytherin's seeker at Hogwarts, this was quite something to hear. It was almost like talking to Hermione. 'It really wouldn't mean anything to any of us, but, well,' Ginny struggled with the words, 'it was Ron's favourite team, and I guess the whole family just picked up on it after he died. So did Harry, possibly Hermione as well.'

'Oh,' Draco said dimly. 'Ginny, I'm sorry.'

Ginny took his hand and gave him a small smile. 'I know you didn't mean anything by it. You didn't know.'

The pair of them stood in silence, watching people spend their Valentine's Day with their loved ones. That was when Ginny noticed that Harry was standing to the side while Hermione spoke with Luna near the refreshments table.

Ginny looked up at Draco, who was staring at her in return. 'You know you have to tell him,' he said, giving her hand a squeeze.

Ginny nodded in comprehension. 'It's just hard. I've never had feelings for anyone else like I did for him.' Ginny let go of Draco's hand and slowly made her way toward Harry. Draco followed suit.

Harry looked up as they reached him. 'Ginny...Drake, how are you?' he asked but only looked at Ginny.

'We're fine,' Ginny said awkwardly.

'That's good.' Harry smiled warmly. Ginny stared at him, unsure of how to say what she wanted to say without sounding like she was planning it all in her head before she spoke.

However, Draco seemed to know exactly what needed to be said and he knew how to say it casually. 'I'm looking forward to the big day.'

'Big day?' Harry repeated, dumbstruck.

'Your wedding. Didn't you know? I'm Ginny's date,' Draco said proudly, putting an arm around her.

Harry's eyes darted between Ginny and Draco, confusion stirred up in the mix. Ginny smiled, hiding the grin that her brain was telling her was right. She would have to thank Draco later.

'No,' Harry said darkly.

'Pardon?' Draco blinked at Harry.

'You are not taking her to my wedding. You are not going to my wedding.'

'Harry!'

'No, Ginny,' Harry said sharply, and then turned his attention to Draco. 'There is nothing you can say or do that will make me trust you with her.'

'What's that supposed to mean?' Ginny snapped, though she knew it wasn't her argument to make.

'It means that he doesn't deserve you!' Harry argued.

'And who does?' Ginny retorted. 'You?'

Harry fell silent. Ginny bit her lip, forcing tears to well in her eyes for dramatic effect. 'Harry Potter, you should have made that decision when you had the chance. It's too late now.' She stormed out of the flat, slamming the door behind her so that everyone would notice their fight.

Ginny wiped the tears from her eyes, ready to congratulate herself on her amazing performance, but the door to the flat open once more, and she prepared to turn on the waterworks again. However, it wasn't Harry coming out to apologise for his attitude; it was Draco.

'Oh,' Ginny said, blushing, 'it's you.'

Draco closed the door, staring at her in awe. 'Were--was--I mean, was that acting in there?'

Ginny blushed even more, nodding. 'Impressed?'

'You surprise me more and more each day, Ginny,' Draco said. Ginny saw something in his eyes as he spoke that she had never seen before, a kind of light that was usually replaced with a cold look of disdain.

'Are you all right?' Ginny asked, but as soon as the words were out of her mouth, the look faded away.

'Yeah,' he said with a nod.

'Are you sure?'

'Positive.'

Author's Notes: I'm a review whore. Please me.