Draco's Dilemma

After the night of that first dinner together, they progressed from just having morning or afternoon tea and lunch, to having dinner together. And they also began having breakfast together every weekend. At first, dinner was one or two nights a week but it quickly progressed to a pattern of dinner most nights. And breakfast most mornings. And lunch every day.

At one of those lunches, a couple of weeks after Ginny's birthday, Draco tentatively suggested she should move to Magus Mansion. She would have her own suite of rooms, be free to come and go as and when she pleased and her boss would no longer have to pay for her room at the hotel, especially since she hadn't been sending back any articles for a number of weeks now.

After a week of thinking it over - knowing she probably wouldn't tell any of her friends or family exactly what she was doing - she decided she would accept Draco's offer. If the worst came to worst, she could easily move back to the hotel. When she tried to analyse her reasons for accepting his offer, she shied away from any thoughts except those of a practical nature, namely that she would be more comfortable and her boss wouldn't have to pay for it. As a bonus, she would be in the country again, which she'd always preferred to the city. She'd have peace and quiet to write each and every day - all day if she needed it.

The fact that she would be able to, if she so desired, share every meal with Draco, see him whenever she wanted, had nothing to do with it - at least that's what she told herself. And the fact that she didn't feel she could tell anyone of her arrangement - well, she simply didn't dwell on that either. She was lost in a world that contained only her and Draco. And his love for her - love that soothed her hurting heart.

It was over their daily lunch a week later that she told him she would be happy to move into Magus Mansion and thanked him for his offer.

She had no idea that her few simple words of acceptance had the most extraordinary effect on the man to whom they were addressed. While he appeared to be calmly pleased at her decision and began immediately to talk of the arrangements necessary for her move, he gave no indication of the triumphant, tumultuous joy that was blazing within him. For it was when she accepted his offer that he knew - knew as surely as his name was Draco Malfoy - that she would eventually be his. It would be a long, slow, dance, but it would bring them both to the same place - and he was prepared to be as patient as necessary to achieve his goal. He would have her. She would be his. As he'd always been hers.

Draco trod carefully once Ginny was installed in Magus Mansion. Despite his overwhelming desire to be with her every minute of every day, he forced himself to allow her all the space she needed and wanted.

Once she'd moved in, delighting in the suite of rooms that were hers, she spent the first week settling in, unpacking and familiarising herself with the house and grounds. She'd been shocked the first time she'd come across Latro, Draco's house elf, but the little elf was so beside himself with joy at seeing her, she didn't have the heart to turn her back on him. Over the next few weeks, she realised the memories that Latro initially brought forth were being replaced with the memories of here and now. Eventually, she was able to greet him and not think of that other mansion and that other Malfoy.

She and Draco found a rhythm in their lives that they maintained and all the while the bonds of intimacy were imperceptibly tightening. Draco was joyously aware of this; Ginny blissfully ignorant of the silken threads.

On the September morning that Ginny sent an owl off to Hermione with a birthday gift, Draco told her he was arranging a special dinner, an "anniversary dinner", for that night.

'Which anniversary is that?' asked Ginny as she watched the diminishing speck that was the owl carrying Hermione's card and gift. The same owl that had taken Harry's birthday present to him less than eight weeks earlier.

'It's three months since we bumped into each other in Edinburgh and you just missed my birthday so I thought we could celebrate both those things. What do you think?'

Ginny had laughed. A real laugh which made Draco's heart sing when she'd enthusiastically told him, 'Yes! I think that's a wonderful idea!'

Latro spent the whole day preparing their "anniversary" dinner, humming happily to himself as he did so. Ginny popped her head into the kitchen any number of times to ask if he'd like some help but the little house-elf firmly stood his ground. 'No, Mistress, Latro truly needs no help but thank you, Mistress for offering. Latro is very happily busy alone.'

The formal dining room of Magus Manor was too large for a dinner for two, so Latro had set a small, round table in front of the fire in the smaller of the two sitting rooms which had grown to be their favourite room.

Draco had been dressed and ready for some time, impatient for the night to begin. He'd instructed Latro to have dinner ready at seven thirty and so as the clock at last chimed a quarter past seven, he knocked on Ginny's door.

'Come in!'

As he opened the door, he was very aware that this would be the first time he'd entered these rooms since Ginny had moved in.

He stopped just inside the door, watching as Ginny took something from her bedside drawer, closing it again before walking towards him. In her outstretched hand she held the emerald necklace he'd given to her for her birthday.

'Would you put it on for me, please?' she asked, smiling up at him.

Draco smiled back and nodded as he took the necklace, Ginny turning her back to him so that he could place it around her neck; she lifted her hair so that he could do up the clasp. She was wearing the dress Draco had given her for her birthday as well. As Ginny shook her hair back into place, he offered his arm, still smiling as she took it and they walked out of her room, down the stairs and across the entrance hall to the small sitting room.

Latro took great delight in serving the meal he'd prepared for them, while Ginny and Draco thoroughly enjoyed it. The house-elf had gone to great pains, even conjuring soft music which seemed to be coming from everywhere - and nowhere in particular, at the same time. When they'd finished and Latro had cleared the table save for two glasses of red wine, each still half full, Ginny called Latro to her and whispered something to him. He beamed at her, his large eyes glowing as he nodded his head so vigorously his ears flapped before he scampered from the room.

'What was that all about?' asked Draco, amused.

'You'll see in just a minute,' she told him.

And it was indeed only a minute before the still beaming house-elf returned, carrying a wrapped package which he handed to Ginny before giving them each one last huge smile, bowing and leaving them alone.

Ginny held the flat package out to Draco who took it, giving her a quizzical look.

Leaning on the table, Ginny smiled. 'It's nothing much - a sort of belated birthday present. I couldn't think what to get you since you already have everything. But I know you don't have one of these,' she finished mischievously, watching as Draco removed the white wrapping paper and white tissue paper. It was a framed photograph.

Draco stared down at the laughing woman in the photograph. It was Ginny. Without taking his eyes off it, he said softly, 'Thank you, Ginevra. It's beautiful.'

'It was the last photo Dean took of me before he died...'

On hearing the sad note in her voice, his eyes flashed to hers; he could see unshed tears glistening there. He reached across the table with his free hand and took one of hers, squeezing gently.

'Thank you. It means the world to me. You couldn't have given me a better present.' But how he wished she hadn't told him Dean had taken it. He didn't like to think about him at all.

Ginny smiled. 'I'm glad you like it,' she replied softly, not really sure why she'd told him Dean had taken it but like many other little stray thoughts, she pushed it to the back of her mind.

Draco set the photo on the table, his heart skipping a beat at the look on Ginny's face in the photo. Her image laughed, throwing back her head briefly then looking straight ahead, obviously at the photographer. A beautiful smile curved her lips; the light of love and desire shone in her eyes.

I'd die a happy man if she looked at me like that just once, he thought to himself.

The strains of a soft waltz began to drift lyrically through the air.

'Shall we dance?' Draco asked her, coming to his feet and holding out his hand to Ginny in one smooth movement.

Ginny laughed softly as she also rose, taking Draco's hand, his warm fingers closing around hers.

'I didn't know you could dance,' she told him as he gently wrapped his right arm around her waist, pulling her to him, her left hand coming to rest on his shoulder, the fingers of their free hands softly interlaced.

She saw a fleeting look of sadness cross his face - then it was gone. He gave her a slightly crooked smile as he told her that his mother had insisted on private lessons for many years when he was young; she believed it an absolute necessity for someone of his station in life to be able to dance properly.

'Well, it's certainly come in handy at last,' joked Ginny, 'as I do so love dancing!' Hearing this made him finally appreciate those hours of lessons he'd previously always thought of as a waste of time.

They moved gracefully around the small room, Ginny finding it very easy to follow Draco, resurrecting memories of dancing with Seamus Finnigan at Ron and Luna's wedding all those years ago. When the last notes died away and their feet were still once more, they stood unmoving, looking at each other as though caught in a spell that had been woven by the music and their dancing. Then without a word, Draco released her hand, his fingers moving to her face, his palm curving around her cheek.

His heart was pounding so hard he thought it might explode out of his chest. She was looking up at him expectantly, her lips slightly parted. He slowly dropped his head; he was going to kiss her - nothing in the world could stop him now. As their lips met, it caused his whole body to ignite with such an intensity of passion he hoped desperately she wouldn't be frightened by it because surely she could sense it. The last time she'd kissed him had been by way of goodbye, springing from her pity and compassion for him. Nevertheless, he had savoured the memory of that kiss because it had been freely given. The memory of it was now permanently and blindingly eclipsed by this kiss. This wasn't a kiss born of pity or gratitude - there was no compassion in this kiss. It was the kiss of a woman who wanted him. Whether or not she loved him, whether or not she ever would, he didn't know or care right now - he simply didn't want this moment to end.

He tightened his arm around her, his other hand now grasping the back of her neck, agonisingly aware of her body pressed against his as their tongues locked in a hungry dance. Ginny moaned softly as she instinctively moved her hips against him and Draco felt as though fire, not blood, was coursing through his veins. As their lips parted, both of them breathing heavily, they stared at each other; Draco found he was afraid to speak in case he broke the spell, terrified by the thought that she might run from him, waking from the dream that had been the last few months. Ginny could see the fear in his eyes and knew what was behind it.

Then he saw the slightest suggestion of a smile, watched mesmerised as the tip of her tongue ran lightly over lips. He felt her hands move from his shoulders as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Then he felt a violent eruption of joy blast through him as she pressed her lips to his once more, initiating a kiss even more passionate than their previous one.

Neither of them knew how long the owl had been tapping at the window, lost as they were in each other, but they did eventually hear it, turning to stare at it in a mutual daze. Draco moved first, walking over and opening the window. The owl held out its leg and waited for him to remove the scroll attached to it. As he did so, he noticed immediately it was addressed to Ginny. Inexplicably, his heart sank; he was sure that one way or another, it couldn't be good news.

He pulled the window shut as the owl flew off and turned, holding the small scroll out to her, her name visible in the firelight. Ginny took it, her eyes on Draco's, not on the parchment. She could see the flat look of disappointment in his eyes and tried to reassure him with a somewhat shaky smile.

He reached out his hand, his fingers gently caressing her face. 'Read it,' he said softly, his voice still husky with passion, although the spell that had temporarily held them in thrall was now diminishing, leaving them both a little shaken.

She looked down at the parchment, recognising the writing. 'It's from Hermione.'

After breaking the seal, Ginny unrolled the parchment and swiftly read the contents through twice. She kept her eyes on the parchment as she spoke, not wanting to see the look of frustration and regret she knew would be on Draco's face.

'Neville and Priscilla's baby's been born. A little girl, their second.' She glanced up at Draco, smiling. 'They want me to be her godmother and Hermione's organising the christening. I'll have to go home for a few days.'

At her words, Draco felt as though someone had taken hold of his heart inside his chest and squeezed, the pain was so intense. Merlin! Not now!

Ginny looked at him anxiously. 'Are you all right?'

He remained silent, simply placing his fingers under her chin in a gentle caress, giving her a smile he managed to dredge up from somewhere.

'I'll be all right. It's only a few days.' His hand dropped to his side. I'll be in hell! And it will feel like a lifetime!

'The christening's this Sunday, the day after tomorrow, so I'll leave in the morning. I'll be back on Tuesday. I'll owl you.' He could hear his own disappointment at the interruption mirrored in Ginny's voice. He nodded, not trusting himself to speak, afraid his voice would reveal his pain.

'Well, I'd better go to bed,' said Ginny resignedly, 'it's late and I'll need to get an early start in the morning.'

She looked up at him, his heartbeat become wildly erratic as she lifted one hand and he felt her slim fingers curl around the nape of his neck, pulling gently. In response, he dropped his head as Ginny lifted hers to place a soft kiss on the lips. 'Night,' she whispered. As she walked away, she looked back over her shoulder at him, a promise in her eyes.

'Good night, my love,' he whispered hoarsely.

He sat at the table by the fire for a long time after she'd left, sipping the last of his wine as he gazed at the photo of her. He came to realise a few things as he sat and thought. Not surprisingly, neither of them had considered, not even for a single second, that he might go with her. That was utterly out of the question and always would be. He knew she would not speak of him to any of her family or friends. Insecurities began to trickle through his mind, taking on larger and larger proportions and he knew he would live in dread until she returned. As doubts crowded in upon him, he wondered painfully if tonight would be the last time he'd kiss her...

TO BE CONTINUED...