The Shotgun Bride

Chapter Thirteen: Proposal.

**

Everyone scrambled to grab food and other non-waterproof items off the tables as the rain poured down. Jo's announcement was forgotten as the hoard of people rushed inside, fighting to get through the back door first.

Draco and Ginny huddled in the corner as everyone complained loudly about getting wet.

"What the hell are we going to do about that woman's invitation?" Draco hissed.

"I have no clue! She never even mentioned it to me!" Ginny replied.

"I'm not living with her," Draco said firmly.

"But we can't just say no," Ginny replied. "What if we don't have any other options?"

"We will have other options if it includes a cardboard box and a trash fire," gritted out Draco.

"It won't get to that point, I should hope," Ginny replied. "Oh, no, here she comes!"

They both watched in horror as Jo pushed her way through the crowded kitchen to stand before them. Everyone else turned to watch the young couple.

"So, what do you say? Are you going to take my generous offer?" Jo asked.

"Um, we'd prefer to... keep our options open, right now, Mamaw," Ginny replied in the most diplomatic tone she could muster.

Jo raised an eyebrow. "If that's the way you feel... I'll be there."

Ginny felt that Jo might be doing something completely underhanded and evil, but for the life of her couldn't figure it out. She therefore decided to nod mutely, and was relieved when Narcissa announced that while she and her family had a wonderful time, they really must be going.

"I'll see you tomorrow evening," Draco said quietly. "I'll pick you up here, and take you out for dinner."

"Alright, see you then," Ginny replied, and kissed him soundly on the lips. "Love you."

"Love you too," Draco said quietly, and followed his parents out of the kitchen.

**

Early the next afternoon, Draco looked at a display of rings. A feeling of despair swept over him. Why oh why had he chosen to come alone? Any help at all would have been better than staring at the rows of rings, all shiny and sparkly and quite frankly just alike in every aspect but price.

"May I help you?"

He jumped, and looked up to see a professionally dressed woman standing beside him.

"Um," he said. "How much are these, anyways?" He pointed at the row of engagement rings.

The woman replied with a number that made Draco's jaw drop slightly.

"For all of them?" he asked.

The woman laughed as though he had made a witty joke, then looked at him, and realized that he was serious. "Perhaps you would like to look at these rings," she said, leading him over to a corner of the shop.

He peered into the case, and squinted at the rings inside. Yes, if he turned his head just right, he could see the diamonds in these rings. He asked the price, and found out that he could afford one of these.

He stared at the rings for a few more minutes, looking at the minuscule diamonds in the plain gold, then said, "I don't think I'm interested."

The woman raised an eyebrow, but Draco just bolted from the jewelry shop. Ginny deserved way better than those cheap looking rings that he could afford from the real jewelry shop. He sighed, and climbed into his car. He just hoped that Ginny wouldn't ask him where he bought her ring...

He drove to the other side of town, and surveyed the sign. Borgin and Burkes Pawn Shop was a seedy looking place stuck in a run down strip mall.

"Ahh, Mr. Malfoy. So good to see you," said Billy Borgin as he entered.

"Hi," replied Draco. He glanced around the pawn shop, at the racks of overpriced stereos and the cluttered shelves of electronics and car parts. He went to the back of the store, where the register and the glass cases filled with the easily stolen items were located.

He peered in the cases, noticing that there was a new gleaming Colt that looked like it would be a blast to try out... but that wasn't what he was here for. He looked into the jewelry case for a moment.

"Need any help?" asked Borgin.

"Well..." said Draco. Borgin raised an eyebrow. "I'm looking for a ring."

"I haven't taken any rings," Borgin said immediately.

"I mean I'm looking to buy a ring," Draco snapped, then muttered, "Dumbass," under his breath.

"I see," said Borgin. "How about this?" He held up a delicate ring with a massive glittering stone.

Draco gave him the patented look of Malfoy superiority, and said, "I want something real, not something I could have got out of a gumball machine. I'm looking for an engagement ring."

"Oh!" said Borgin. He rooted around the glass case some more, and came up with three other rings that Draco deemed unworthy for his future bride. Just when Draco had begun to resign himself to having to buy one of the cheap rings from the jeweler, Borgin said, almost hesitantly, "There is one other ring..."

"Really," Draco drawled. "Why are you just now sharing this fact with me?"

"Well, I'm technically not allowed to sell it yet... The owner has another week to pay me back. But I think it's just what you're looking for..." With that, Borgin disappeared into the back room, and came out with a small velvet box.

He nervously opened the box, and revealed a gorgeous white gold diamond ring. Draco knew immediately that this was the ring he had to get Ginny. It was sparkly and pretty, and looked very expensive. Ginny would love it.

"I want that ring," he said, leaving no room for Borgin to bring up the small technicality that he wasn't allowed to sell the ring yet.

"It'll cost you," replied Borgin.

Draco just sneered. Borgin had obviously forgotten who he was speaking to. His father had managed to procure at least half of Borgin's more valuable merchandise, and there was no way that Borgin was going to try and get a big chunk of change from him over a ring.

He carefully counted out half of the money he had planned on spending on the ring, and laid it on the counter. "There you go," he said.

Borgin looked at the pile of bills, and shook his head. "I have twice that in the ring. I'd be losing money if I took any less than that."

Draco looked at him, and said, "You want twice that amount?"

Borgin looked reluctant to answer, but said weakly, "Yes. I'm afraid I c-can't let you have it for any less."

Draco looked at him doubtfully, then noticed Bubba Burkes lurking behind Borgin. Bubba made a threatening motion with one beefy fist, and Draco felt compelled to agree to the price Borgin had set, though he prided himself on not showing his intimidation to Borgin.

"Fine," Draco said, and was mildly pleased at the relieved expression on Borgin's face.. No wonder his father got such a kick out of manipulating this man. He handed over the money, and took the ring. He was halfway back out to his car when he realized the minor problem he had.

He was broke.

He had promised Ginny he would take her out tonight, and he had planned on asking her officially to marry him during dinner. He hadn't exactly thought of where he would take her yet, but he'd had a vague idea of somewhere fancy, somewhere he had never taken her before.

Unfortunately, with exactly twenty-seven dollars and forty-seven cents to his name, it would be near impossible to take her to any restaurant. She had the habit of ordering expensive, and even cheap places cost quite a bit when he took her out.

He climbed into his car, considering the situation very carefully.

**

Ginny pulled a brush through her hair once more before deciding that she looked nice enough to go out.

"Mom? Is Draco here yet?" she called, picking her bag off her dresser. Her room was tiny, barely enough room for her twin bed, dresser, bookshelf, and desk, but she loved it. The walls were covered in pictures and cutouts from magazines, and she kept everything mostly neat.

"No, dear, he isn't," replied Molly

Ginny checked the time, and noticed with frustration that Draco still had twenty minutes to show up before he was late. "Damn," she muttered to herself. She was anxious to see him again.

And it wasn't just because she wanted to see what color his face had turned today. Though she admittedly was cheerfully awaiting the day his bruises turned yellow.

She turned off her light, and went into the living room to wait. Just as she sat down on the couch, she heard the familiar rumble of Draco's car.

"Draco's here! I'm heading out!" she said, hopping up. This was exciting. It was the very first time Draco had picked her up at her house for a date. Normally she had to force Colin Creevey to pick her up, and drop her off in town.

"Be careful!" said Molly. "Buckle up! And don't be out too late!"

"Alright, Mom," replied Ginny.

Molly looked reluctant to allow her daughter to go out, but waved good-bye anyway.

"Hey there, puddin' pie," she said as she slid into the passenger side of the car. "Where are we headin'?"

"You'll see," replied Draco as he pulled out of her driveway. Ginny sensed that he was forcing himself to not peel out, and appreciated his restraint. No telling how riled up her daddy would be if he heard the car holding his pregnant teenage daughter peeling out.

As they went down the road, Draco reached back into the backseat, and pulled out a bouquet of daisies. "Here."

Ginny took the flowers, and let out a happy squeal. "You bought me flowers! You've never bought me flowers before!"

She decided to ignore the fact that the $4.97 price tag from Walmart was still stuck to the plastic wrapping.

A few minutes later, Draco pulled to a stop at the restaurant. Ginny looked around, slightly aghast.

"We're eating here?" she said, her voice going slightly shrill.

"Yeah," replied Draco, looking around. "Why?"

"But-but I thought you were taking me somewhere special!"

"I said it was going to be a special evening! I never said I was taking you somewhere special!" protested Draco.

Ginny glared, and crossed her arms grumpily. Then she looked down at the flowers he'd bought her. He was trying... and the daisies were pretty...

"I want a burger and fries and a lemonade," she said.

"Alright," said Draco, leaning out his window and pressing the button to order.

"Welcome to Sonic, may I take your order?" came a teeny voice. Draco ordered, and then sat back.

"How's everything going at home?" he asked her.

"Fine, I guess... This morning Ron had the nerve to try and give me a lecture on how my life is ruined and how, if I had any sense of decency whatsoever, I wouldn't marry you and would instead commit myself to a nunnery."

"And did you tell him that if he had any decency whatsoever, he would shut the hell up, and go play on the interstate for a while, in hopes of making everyone around him happier?"

"No, but I did say a few choice things about Hermione that made him shut right up."

Draco grinned at her, and Ginny felt flutters in her stomach that had nothing whatsoever to do with the bun that was currently baking away. Well, nothing directly to do with it. She leaned forward to meet his kiss, when a she heard a familiar voice screech, "Is that you, Ginny Weasley?"

Ginny jerked her head back, and to her horror saw Lavender Brown standing beside the car, holding a tray of food. Of all the people to carhop for them, it had to be one of the biggest gossips from Gryffindor. Draco also looked disappointed, though whether it was from the interrupted kiss or the potential for disaster that was unfolding was hard to tell.

"Hi, Lavender," she said in a hopefully chipper tone.

Lavender looked at Draco, who was looking up at her. "Hi, Draco." Her voice was unmistakably flirtatious. Ginny involuntarily clenched her fists as she glared at the girl.

"Lavender, was it?" Draco asked. "How much?"

Ginny barely held back a very unladylike snort as Lavender collected the money for their food, and cast a speculative glance back at the couple.

"So," Lavender said, "Should I expect to see you two here together again?"

"Hard telling," said Draco, peering at his shake. "My shake doesn't look very chocolatey."

Ginny looked over his shoulder also, and nodded her agreement. "It is a rather pathetic chocolate shake."

Lavender didn't seem too pleased with the evasive answer, but was forced to go back to work as a heavyset woman leaned out of building and yelled for her to get her skinny hiney back in there.

"She was totally drooling all over you!" Ginny exclaimed as she took a big bite of her burger.

"Yeah, she was," said Draco, leaning back. "Can't blame her."

Ginny smacked at him as she stole one of his fries, though she had to silently agree.

"Hey, Gin, will you get me the tire gauge out of the glove box?" Draco asked as they finished up their meal.

Ginny rolled her eyes, and said, "I swear, you care more about the car than you do about me."

Then she opened the glove box, and immediately noticed an open black velvet box that was open to reveal a gorgeous ring.

"Good God almighty, is that for me?"she choked out, temporarily flabbergasted.

"It is," said Draco. "Wanna marry me?"

"Of course I do!" exclaimed Ginny. Draco leaned over, took the ring out of the glove box, and slid it onto her finger. Then they met in a slow, lingering kiss.