Some Days I Wish I Were in Slytherin

Ch 9: The Absence of Scent

Ginny and Draco left the hotel and traveled down an alley to a tony shopping district. The shops along the narrow, tree lined street were filled with expensive robes and fine jewelry. Draco dragged her into store after store, where he tried on a bewildering variety of robes, shoes, and school clothes. Ginny watched him shop with a smirk. She'd never realized that there was such a thing as a designer Hogwarts uniform. After sitting through the third explanation in twenty minutes about the joys of imported virgin yak wool, she gave up and let him buy her a jumper and skirt in the school colors.

Next they visited an outerwear shop, where he bought himself a hand woven black winter cloak. He tried to bully her into getting one of these as well, but she refused. Draco made her pay for this transgression at their next stop, a fancy robe boutique. He made her try on set after set of lavish, revealing garments and wouldn't let her leave until she chose one.

She'd argued, but he had only replied, "You'll need them, trust me."

Ginny felt reluctant at first, but the sting of Julian's words was still sharp in her mind. Finally, she rationalized that if he was going to be so insufferable about her appearance, she might as well take full advantage of his "generosity".

She began to look through the robes with interest; most of them were too frilly or extravagant for her taste, so she settled on the simplest one. The honey colored material was soft and cut in clean lines without any adornment. The sleeves fell just below her shoulders, and she liked the way the skirt swished around her ankles when she walked.

Draco looked at her approvingly when she handed him her selection. When he went to pay for it, Ginny's mouth grew dry, but he turned to her with a cynical grin as he handed the clerk his Gringotts card and said, "Good taste Gin. I knew you had potential. Only a Slytherin girl could manage to pick the most expensive robe out of the lot."

"We can get a different one..."

"Trust me," he interrupted, "I couldn't like any better than this one. It looks beautiful on you, and besides, Grandfather said to buy you some things didn't he? Believe me. He won't care how much we spend. Besides, I get a great deal of satisfaction out of squandering his money."

This continued as they made their way down the street. Draco continued to pile an alarming number of items in her arms. Fortunately, she was able to sneak most of them back onto the rack without him noticing; she didn't want to hear what her mother would say if she came back with a carload of new clothes. Nonetheless, within a few hours she found herself carrying five extra bags and a long thin box containing the dress robes. Draco followed behind her with at least three times as many packages. She'd lost count of the number of socks and underwear he'd bought, not to mention shoes, shirts, and trousers.

Ginny was the owner of two new pairs of shoes, the dress robe and coordinating sandals, three sets of new school robes, numerous everyday items, a leather hand bag, and an intricately carved silver bracelet which Draco had insisted was perfect for her.

Ginny dropped down onto a wrought iron bench in the waning light and waited for Draco to emerge from his final stop; a small apothecary that was doing a brisk business. He came out holding a white bag gingerly in his fingertips.

"What did you have to get?" she asked.

Draco snorted, "Believe me, you don't want to know. Let's just say that my Grandfather needs it to keep up with his lady friends."

"Not an image I'm cherishing." Ginny shuddered. "You're right, I don't want to know." She slipped off her sandal and began massaging her foot. "Can we go now?"

Draco looked at her with disgust. "Tired already? We still have one more stop."

He hauled her up and guided her to a discrete entryway a few doors down. Inside was an elegant reception area with a dark haired witch behind the counter.

The witch hurried to her feet. "Ah, Mr. Malfoy. We were expecting you. Shao Ling has been waiting for you, and we are ready for your young lady as well."

Ginny turned to him. "What have you gotten me into, Draco?"

"Trust me, they know what they're doing. Meanwhile, I'm having a massage."

He walked off, leaving her staring blankly at his retreating back. The witch set her packages aside, and escorted her past a wooden partition. Inside was a beehive of activity; women filled the narrow room, chatting and laughing as they had their hair done. Ginny tensed as she was hustled into a chair and surrounded by three chattering women.

The first lifted a strand of her waist length red hair, examined it closely through a pair of thick eyeglasses, and said in broken English. "No, this not do. Look at these ends, they all fried. Bad. Very Bad. This all come off."

Ginny snatched her hair back from the woman. "I'm not sure what this is all about, but I'd just like a trim please."

"Mr. Malfoy told us you say that. He told us you squawk like dying chicken. Don't worry we make you look very good." The woman looked at her disapprovingly and began to sharpen her scissors.

A plump grey haired witch with bright black eyes was also looking at Ginny's hair. She began muttering in Chinese while waving her hands in the air and making brushing motions with her wand.

The third woman smiled gently at Ginny. "Don't worry. She's saying your hair color is lovely, most unusual, and that's she's just going to add a little spark to it. I'm going to do your nails." She picked up one of Ginny's hands and made a little clucking noise as she examined the cuticles.

Ginny was left to the ministrations of the three witches. Potions were combed through her hair, her hands were soaked in a tisane, and a pair of enchanted scissors flashed around her head like dragonfly wings as Ginny stared in horror at the growing pile of hair on the floor.

An hour later, the women turned her around and finally allowed her to look in the mirror. Her mouth fell open. She knew it was her own reflection, but she had no idea she could look like that. Her hair fell in soft waves just below her shoulders and hints of bronze, gold and copper gleamed amongst the red.

The first witch chuckled. "Look nice right?" She showed Ginny a few charms to maintain her new hairstyle and then escorted her to the front.

Ginny peered into the lobby, where Draco was sitting on a low chair reading a magazine and took a deep breath before starting in. He looked up at her entrance and stared at her silently for a moment.

"You clean up rather well," he said, clearing his throat with difficulty and standing up to greet her.

"I'll take that as a compliment. You're lucky it turned out well, or I would have had to eliminate the possibility of you fathering children." She breezed past him and with a flick of her wand, the stack of parcels followed her out the door, leaving a dazed Draco to follow in their wake.

A light rain was falling outside; she cast an Impervio charm on the packages and started down the street, Draco's long strides easily keeping up with her. As they entered the deserted market square, he finally spoke.

"You don't like it?"

Ginny stopped suddenly, the packages bumping into her ankles and turned to face him. "It's not that. I do like it. I appreciate everything you've done today, it's just that I can't help but wonder why you're doing this. Why all this attention? Don't pretend it's just to be nice; I saw how your grandfather looked at me today." Her voice broke and she looked away. "You were ashamed to be with me, so you decided to turn me into one of your Slytherin fashion dolls, a bloody... Blaise Zambini."

"I didn't mean that Weasley. I don't think of you like that. We're friends right?" Draco stared at her for a moment with a baffled expression then shook his head. "Besides, I'd think after what you're used to this would be a dream come true."

She dropped the packages with a wave of her wand, spun around and started for the hotel.

"Ginny!" Draco shouted. Suddenly the light mist that was falling became a heavy downpour. He cursed and sped after her, catching up with her under a streetlight, the warm canopy of light punctured by the heavy raindrops. "Ginny!" He grabbed her arm and pulled her around.

"Let go of me," she said.

"No, not until you hear me out. Look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about my grandfather. You're right." He looked away for a moment, then looked back, his eyes serious. "I was ashamed of the way you dressed, but you said yourself you didn't like your family not being able to afford anything. It doesn't mean I don't like you. You know I want to be your friend."

"Let go of my arm. You're hurting me." Ginny jerked away and stepped a few paces back, rubbing her arm with her hand. "You can't buy friends Malfoy," she hissed. "Not that I'd expect you to understand that."

Draco's eyes narrowed. "Maybe I was mistaken Weasley, you may not be Slytherin material after all. A Slytherin knows to take an advantage offered them, they don't scruple over it."

"I'm not scrupling over it. I just want it made clear that you can't buy me. I'm not some whore to be bought for a few trinkets."

"I never thought you were."

"Liar." She turned to leave, but he blocked her. "Get out of my way."

"I'm not going anywhere."

The rain poured down her face in sheets and into her eyes. "I mean it Malfoy." She tried to step around him, but he grabbed her elbow and pulled her close. "Let go of me."

"No."

"You don't own me."

"I don't want to own you," Draco said. "I just want this."

He bent his head down to kiss her, and the world stopped. She was oblivious to the storm beating down on them, only aware of how the impossibly warm softness of his lips contrasted with his harsh and demanding mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Their clothes were sopping wet, and through them she felt the long heat of his body against hers. She didn't know how long they stood there kissing, pausing only to gasp for air, their hands grasping frantically at each other, but when they pulled apart she felt dizzy and out of breath.

He rested his forehead against hers, and looked helplessly at her with eyes that were guileless and a little fearful. He placed a path of light kisses along her jaw line and buried his face in her hair.

"I don't know what I'm doing here," he said, in a voice unlike his own. "You have to help me." He pulled back and looked her in the eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I..."

"Haven't ever tried to be nice to anyone before?"

"It's not just that. It's just... Well I thought you didn't like the fact that your family is poor."

"I don't, that doesn't mean you have to rub it in Draco. I've got some pride you know."

"I know." Draco tightened his arms around her waist and nodded towards the pile of packages scattered haplessly on the ground. "We can return everything if you want."

Ginny grinned. "I didn't say we had to do that..."

"That's my girl. I'll make a Slytherin of you yet."

"Promise?"

"Definitely. At least now you look the part, we'll just have to work on your brash Gryffindor sensibilities."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that on only one condition."

"What's that?"

"That you kiss me again."

Draco helped her to the room with the bags. He set the last one down on her bed and looked around the small quaint room.

"Not bad for a two star." He turned around and made his way to the door. "So can I pick you up at four for dinner tomorrow?"

"That sounds good," Ginny said, placing the new dress robe on a hanger and smoothing it out. She joined him in the doorway and gently touched his arm. "Thank you again by the way. The dress is beautiful."

He rubbed a strand of her wet hair between his fingers and smiled. "Not as beautiful as you."

His grey eyes stared into hers, and she knew he was telling the truth. He leaned down, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her goodnight.

Finally he pulled back and said in a soft voice. "I wouldn't mind staying."

Ginny gave him a mischievous look and pushed him out the door. "I'm sure you wouldn't."

She shut the door behind her and leaned against it, her wet skirt dripping on the bamboo floor. She felt elated, all had gone as planned, but her stomach fluttered a little, and she couldn't help but think to herself, "What was that?"

She didn't know that Draco leaned on the other side of the door, thinking much the same thing.

Ginny stared out the window at the rain which had fallen unrelenting since last night. It puddled in the square below and formed a thick grey sheet which obscured her view of the street market. The merchants had been closed all day and huddled under the eaves of the neighboring buildings, hoping for a break in the storm.

She was glad for the respite the storm provided. It gave her an excuse to stay indoors, catch up on her reading, and think about the previous week's events. Her Charms book lay forgotten in her lap and she began to trace patterns on the misty window with her fingertips. Of their own accord they began to write a name, which she quickly wiped away with her hand as a knock sounded on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened and Snape walked in. "Rule number three Weasley. Never invite someone in without first seeing who it is. It's an elementary rule; your mother should have taught you that in nursery school." He cast the secrecy ward and looked around her room with a sneer.

"Sorry Professor, but you did tell me you'd be stopping by this afternoon. Won't you sit down?"

She gestured to the other side of the window seat. He looked uncomfortable for a moment, then sat down, crossing his ankle primly over his knee. His gaze finally rose to her face, and for a moment he paled, then just as swiftly his lips twisted in scorn as he leaned closer and wrapped a lock of her hair around his fingers.

"Mr. Malfoy gave you a new look I see."

Ginny shrugged and shook her hair loose from his grasp. "Compliments of the one and only Julian Malfoy. I met him yesterday."

"Yes. I've heard. Did you learn anything interesting?"

"Only that he has an appalling sense of interior design. Oh, and I think he's considering me for the position of Draco's future bride."

"How fascinating. I underestimated you Weasley. I spoke to Julian last night and he was extremely taken with you. He seems to think you'll be the key for his grandson to get back in the good graces of the wizarding world."

"Well apparently his idea of that is to buy me." She gestured to the now bulging wardrobe. "This morning three men showed up with these. They were all the things I put back yesterday."

Snape gave her a vicious smile. "Yes, he mentioned that. Don't worry though; as far as he's concerned he's doing the favor for himself, not you. In his day he was known for sending dinner guests entirely new sets of clothes, just to make sure they would compliment his wife's robes."

"That reminds me. I'm going over there for dinner tonight. I may be a bit late for our lesson."

"Don't worry about it Weasley." He gave a short, sharp laugh that sounded like he was choking. "I'll consider dinner tonight your lesson. I have a feeling you'll learn more tonight then you possibly could in my company. Besides, I'm not sure you've recovered fully from Friday."

Ginny averted her gaze towards the window to avoid his eyes and his small triumphant smile. She'd tried to not think about the evening she'd spent in his chambers, but suddenly the waves of disgust which had been a vague gnawing in her innards became a roar. She tensed as she felt his hand on her arm, bit her tongue, and stared with pretended interest at the deserted market.

"I thought I told you Weasley, there's nothing for which you should be ashamed. You fought off a very powerful curse."

Ginny turned to him, fought a battle with herself, and lost. "It's not that Professor; it's how I fought it. How it... made me feel." She clenched her hands tightly in her lap and focused on her newly manicured fingernails.

"What are you talking about Weasley?" he asked. His voice sounded impatient and his grip on her arm tightened.

"I... Well, you know how you said that fighting the curse causes your body to turn the pain into pure emotion?"

"Yes," he prompted.

"Well, my strong emotion was..." she looked back out the window and mouthed the words.

"Oh...I see. Miss Weasley, look at me." She continued to avert her gaze as heat flushed her cheeks. "Ginny..." he said more gently.

He moved his hand up to her chin and forcibly turned her head in his direction. She let her eyes rise up to meet his and saw something strangely vulnerable reflecting back at her. She understood with a rush how lonely his world must be.

"Don't ever... be ashamed of that. Do you understand?"

"It's just... It reminded me of... Do you remember my first year in school? Tom Riddle's diary?"

Snape nodded, his eyes uncomprehending.

"He..." Ginny's voice broke a little and she clutched the window for support. "He did things... to me. And I enjoyed them. He made me enjoy them. Then, when I didn't want those things anymore, when I told him to stop, he forced me. He told me it was my fault, that I was evil, that I deserved it. That I wanted it."

She put her face in her hands and felt the tears pool in her palms and cascade between her interlaced fingers. Suddenly she felt his arm go around her, and his hand begin to pat her on the back; short, stiff, awkward little pats. She burrowed into the warmth of his chest and felt his body tense for a moment, then relax. She inhaled deeply, trying to pretend this was her father, or one of her brothers, but instead of the familiar smells of the Weasley household -- dragon hide, apple pie, butterbeer, broom oil - he smelled of nothing at all, a blank slate. The absence of scent of was foreign, yet oddly comforting.

She just sat there for awhile, face buried in the scratchy material of his robes, the sound of rain dripping from the eaves the only noise in the small room. Finally he sighed, a poignant sigh, and she was surprised to feel the softest of touches brushing over her hair. She remained still, and slowly he began to run his fingers over and over through the strands, gently yet quickly, the way one would stroke the plumage of a wild bird that landed inexplicably close. As if, she thought, he was afraid she would object and take flight, as if this was a fleeting, treasured moment.

Finally he stopped. She sat up and looked at him. His fingers reached up to touch her hair a final time. Then he pulled them away with a pensive expression.

"Thank you," Ginny said.

"You're welcome," he replied, letting his hand drop to his side, his features growing distant again.

Ginny gave him a contemplative look. "You knew, didn't you? About the other night I mean."

Snape's eyes darkened, and he shifted uncomfortably. "Yes," he said at last. "I did."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know."

Ginny looked thoughtfully out the window. "I thought it was to spare my feelings at the time. But, you liked it didn't you? You enjoyed it."

"And if I told you I did?" he said, looking serious. He tugged at his robe then rested his hand uneasily in his lap. "You know I am not the most moral of people."

"I know, and it doesn't matter," she said quietly, putting her hand over his. "Because neither am I."

Snape shook his head. "Riddle made you that way."

"As he made you," she responded, turning his hand over and examining the lines on his palm, the scars on his wrist. "We have a lot in common, you and I." She dropped his hand and stood up, stretching to look more closely out the window. "The rain's stopped."

He looked up at her, and for the first time she could ever remember, laughed, a laugh that sounded as it should, not as if it was forced or hateful. "Yes, I think it has," he replied.

He stood up and walked over to her wardrobe, pulling out a scanty cinnamon colored robe with gold embroidery. He looked at it appraisingly and then put it back.

"Wear that tonight. You'll want to make a memorable impression. Julian's having some other guests tonight who could be helpful to your education."

Ginny only smiled, and he nodded and left without another word.

Ginny walked on Draco's arm into his grandfather's living room, and felt as if she'd instantly been dropped into foreign territory. Everywhere she looked, dinner guests were sprawled on the white furniture or standing, talking in small groups. They were all dressed in luxurious robes and dripping with jewels and adornments. Ginny felt suddenly more at ease in her low cut, backless brown robe, she even felt prudish next to some of the other women.

She noticed some of them looking at her over their eyeglasses or from behind elaborate fans. She looked back at them unblinking, straightened her shoulders, and lifted her chin proudly.

"Relax," Draco whispered in her ear. "You look better than any of them, besides, you're wearing a nicer gown and..." he kissed her cheek in full view of the room. "You're here with me."

The room was filled with fresh flowers, and smiling house elves wearing monogrammed hotel towels were passing trays of drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Draco took two champagne flutes from a gleaming silver tray and handed one to her. He clinked his glass against hers and said with a charming smile, "To the loveliest woman in the room."

She took a sip, and watched with amusement as the glass replenished itself. "Trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me Draco?"

"Of course not, Gin. Now drink up, there's plenty more."

He towed her around the room, introducing her to a number of witches of varying nationalities. He then excused himself for a few moments to help his grandfather. The moment he left, she was deluged by a rash of wizards of all ages, who jostled each other, competing to be the first to bend over her hand muttering compliments or witticisms. Ginny had just fended off the advances of the last of them an American wizard, who insisted they'd met last year at the world cup, and was slowly sipping her champagne when she heard a woman's voice behind her.

"Don't know what she's doing here. Dressed up like that. My sister knows her, goes to school with her and says she's nothing more then a mudblood lover. Why the Malfoys would invite her.... I've got a good mind to say something. Traipsing in with Draco like that, why everyone knows my sister Pansy..."

"Is a complete and utter bore?" Ginny said, turning around and facing the woman's eyes with matching haughtiness. "Why, Daisy Parkinson, what a pleasant surprise I'm sure, I had no idea you'd be here. Julian..." she let her voice drop to a tone of utter sweetness, "didn't mention you were coming. Why, I haven't seen you since my first year." She settled down on the sofa between Daisy, whose upturned nose was wrinkled in horror, and another woman.

"How is dear Pansy anyway?" she asked with a charming smile. "Such a shame she couldn't come with you. But don't worry, I've been keeping Draco occupied. He's such a dear, sweet boy. What with his parents and all, he's needed so much... comforting."

Daisy's mouth snapped shut, and she smiled at Ginny. "I wouldn't expect anything less of you, Ginny, Pansy's told me all about your... exploits. Tell me; is it true about you and the entire Ravenclaw quidditch team?"

"Actually, it was only three of them," Ginny replied. "But what can I say, I'm very nimble." She stood up as Draco approached. "Nice seeing you Daisy, and send my regards to Pansy."

She walked over to Draco and slid her arm around his waist. He let his hand run down over the bare skin of her back and smiled.

"Happy to see me?" he asked looking behind him. "What was that all about?"

Ginny threw a look over her shoulder. Daisy was staring at the two of them in shock and talking in heated whispers with the witch next to her.

"Oh, just girl talk."

Julian waved at the two of them from the library door and made his way across the room. He paused now and then to compliment the women or share a joke with one of the men. He looked very dapper in a set of silvery grey robes and a dark green ascot.

He stopped when he reached them, and smiled warmly at her. "Ah, Virginia, you look stunning my dear. You quite put the rest of the ladies in the shade. I'm so glad you were able to attend." He turned to Draco with a lofty smile. "I trust you won't mind if I monopolize your friend at dinner Draco?"

"Of course not Grandfather," Draco said. "Just as long as I get her back at the end of the night."

"Excellent, I'll leave you to escort the Chinese Minister to the table. Virginia?" He offered her his arm and headed for the dining room. "I hope you don't mind playing hostess. My friend was incapacitated at the last moment. It's most unfortunate, but I assure you, the bandages will be off in a day or two."

While Ginny was still puzzling at this odd remark, they went into the dining salon followed by the other guests, who had been waiting for Julian to precede them. The long table was covered with a clean white cloth, and groaned under the weight of heavy silver and gleaming china. Delicate candelabra hovered just overhead, illuminating the scene with a soft flickering light.

Ginny stood by the door at Julian's side until everyone entered. There was a moment of chaos as people searched for their place cards, then the guests assembled behind their chairs and waited patiently as Julian escorted Ginny to the head of the table and seated her to his left. At this cue, the rest of the gathering took their seats with a squeaking of chairs and a fluttering of napkins into laps. The Chinese Minister sat at Julian's right, with Draco beside her. Seated next to Ginny was a tall, ascetic wizard she didn't know, who had entered with Daisy Parkinson.

Without warning, the first course appeared on their plates, and their glasses filled with a sweet white wine. Ginny kept her eye on Draco and copied him as he used a very small fork to pick apart the cake of shrimp and pastry and dip it in the accompanying sauce. She took a bite and tasted the heavenly morsel.

"Shrimp Timbale again..." the man next to her said in a low voice. "Pity, the hotel had to lose its chef. The food was ever so much better last time." He separated a bit of the sauce to the edge of his plate and picked his shrimp apart with his butter knife. "My name's Erasmus by the way, Erasmus Flint. You're Ginny Weasley aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Interesting." He examined the tines of his fork in the candlelight and polished it with his napkin. "Then what are you doing here?" Satisfied, he took a bite of shrimp.

"The Malfoys invited me, I'm the ritual sacrifice."

Erasmus choked for a moment on his timbale and reflexively took a sip of water. "What did you say?" he croaked.

"Nothing." She smiled sweetly, and cast a frustrated glance at Draco when Erasmus turned to whisper something in Daisy's ear. Draco smirked at her and mouthed, "Talk to him," before turning his attention back to the witch at his right.

Ginny waited until the salad course had appeared then turned back to Marcus. "Do I know you from somewhere? You seem familiar."

"Well, you may know my younger brother Marcus from school. Oh, and I work with your brother."

"Which one?" asked Ginny.

"That's right, I'd forgotten you have so many." He smiled, showing his crooked teeth. "I work with your brother Percy. Quite closely I might add... but not as closely as Daisy. Right Dais?" He tugged her sleeve to get her attention.

"What?" she asked, turning and shooting Ginny a glare from her blue eyes. "Oh, yes... Virginia. I know your brother very well. His office is right next to mine, why we're practically on top of each other half the day." She laughed, a light tinkling laugh, which sent a shiver up Ginny's spine.

"I'll have to tell him I've seen you. He'll be happy to hear one of his siblings is finally following in his footsteps. It's so important to know the right people..." Daisy paused and launched a look at Ginny that suggested she was not, nor ever would be one of those people.

Julian interrupted his conversation with the minister and looked over at them. "Exactly right my dear. I have a good feeling about Virginia here, I think with the right tutelage she could go far indeed. I already consider her to be a close family friend. I'm sure I can count on the two of you to look out for her." He looked at them both. Daisy dropped her eyes to her plate, but Erasmus nodded in agreement.

"Well then, I'll propose a toast," Julian said, "to old friends, and to new." He tapped his glass against the minister's, and then against Ginny's as the table repeated the toast.

After the entrée and dessert, the guests wandered back to the living room and spilled over into the garden for coffee and after dinner drinks. The haze of the Beijing night spilled pervaded the patio. The air smelled like flowers and rain and bright white lights shone from the river as fishing boats and traditional Chinese vessels drifted at their moorings. Music was playing softly in the background as the guests chattered. Laughter erupted from a distant corner where some people were transfiguring house elves into potted plants.

Draco and Ginny leaned over the balustrade in th moonlight. Draco took her hand and asked, "Did you have a nice time?"

"Yes and no. It's better now. I like it when it's just the two of us."

"Speaking of which..." Draco sighed as their dinner companions approached.

"Draco, Ginny, you won't believe what I just heard," Daisy said, sidling up to them.

"Oh I'm sure we will," Draco said.

"Well Erasmus and I were just talking to Dick Bulstrode. He's staying at the same hotel you are Ginny, and he said the strangest thing. He said he saw you go into Severus Snape's room Friday night and not come out till the following morning."

Ginny felt Draco's hand crushing her own. "Is that true Ginny?" he asked her.

She turned to him, her eyes cool. "Is it any of your business if it is?"

"Don't be silly Draco, we all know about Ginny. She gets around don't you Gin?" Daisy smiled and said in a syrupy voice, "Her escapades are legendary in the Ravenclaw common room, it's about time she started making her way around to the Slytherins." She laughed her bell-like laugh and clutched at Erasmus's arm.

Erasmus leered at Ginny. "I'm just surprised, Weasley. I had no idea you liked it that way. Snape's a little into the dark side, if you know what I mean. Actually..." he eyed her up and down, "I'm sure you do."

"Get out of here Flint," Draco said, his voice dangerous.

"Well we'll just leave you two love birds alone. Have a good night." Daisy gave a cheerful wave and they faded into the darkness.

"What was that about Ginny?"

"She's being petty. I fell asleep transcribing Snape's notes and woke up on the floor in the morning. With some very sore muscles I might add."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying," Ginny said. "Besides, like I said earlier, even if something happened, it's none of your business."

"Yes it is."

"Why?"

"You know why. Or shall I remind you?" Draco pushed her against the railing and ran his hands down her back.

"I thought you didn't want to own me. Remember?" Ginny said slipping away from him and laughing.

"That was then." He stepped after her and grabbed her wrist.

"Come off it Draco, jealousy doesn't suit you. If I wanted a green eyed monster I'd settle for Harry..."

Draco put his free hand over her mouth. "Don't say it."

"Potter" she mumbled against his fingers, her eyes glittering with glee.

"Hag." He tried to make his face severe, but his lips curved mysteriously into a smile. He pulled her to him. "You know what we do to hags. We... tickle them to death." He pulled her behind a ficus tree and began to tickle her until she screamed for mercy. Finally she was so weak from laughter that she sank to the granite floor, Draco pinning her down.

"Say it," he demanded. "Say you're mine." He held her arms over her head and leaned in close. "Say it."

"Ok, Ok, I'm yours." Draco rolled off her, and she jumped up and dashed back in the direction of the party saying over her shoulder. "For now."

Later that evening, they lay in one of the lounge chairs watching the fireworks Julian had arranged. Draco had his arm around her, and she leaned her head against his chest. He was running his fingers absentmindedly up and down her arm, as they watched the silver, purple, and green explosions over head. They shimmered in the air, forming distinct images in the night sky which slowly faded into smoke.

Draco was explaining the figures one by one as they appeared. "That one's the Dragon and the Virgin. I think Grandfather ordered it with us in mind."

"Draco, you know that part of what Daisy said is true, right?"

"I've heard some things," he admitted, "but most of your boyfriends were too afraid of your brothers to admit anything. Mostly it's the Slytherin girls spreading rumors."

She sat up and looked at him. "Most of them are true, you know."

"Really? Even the part about you and the gobstones club?"

"That's not," she said, breaking into a laugh. "I hadn't heard that one." She hesitated for a moment, watching as the Dragon and the Virgin merged into each other and evaporated into the night. "Does it bother you?"

"Not really, as long as it's not true about you and Snape."

"Definitely not. Purely work, I can assure you. He's actually not bad once you get to know him."

"You know though Ginny, if you and I were ever... Well... Let's just say I wouldn't want to hear any more rumors."

"You wouldn't," she said quietly taking his hand. "That is if you and I were ever..."

His grey eyes looked at her and glinted mysteriously as he smiled and pulled her back down next to him. At times like this, she wished it wasn't an act; at times like this she wasn't sure it was. She snuggled her head on his shoulder and inhaled his scent. He smelled like red wine, and ginger, and almost like home.