Drug of Choice

Ch. 5

The Date

What we anticipate seldom occurs: but what we least expect generally happens. - Benjamin Disraeli

Draco was dead tired come Friday morning. He had considered calling into work that he was sick and never getting out of bed. Well, he was considering it until his telephone rang.

Draco swayed sleepily into the living room and retrieved the telephone from its cradle.

"Hello?"

"Draco, this is Doris. I just wanted to make sure that you could make it on your date tonight. You can, right?"

"Yes, I'll be there."

"Good then. Have fun, Draco. Give me something that I can write a good article about. Bye."

Draco looked at the phone for a second, finding the call to be out of character for Doris, but dismissed it quickly and dressed for work.

The day passed slowly, for the most part. Draco checked that the Potter Project had been completed. Daphne had been mad with him for giving her such a short notice, but was more than happy at the amount of money she was paid for the job. Potter had turned out to be a good client after all.

After a few more squabbles at the site, Draco learned that the house was indeed for the senior Weasley's. Granger had told Draco that Potter felt the need to repay them for all they had done for him when he was growing up.

Draco didn't know it, but the Weasley's house had been destroyed during the war. Potter had actually had the new house built exactly where the original once stood.

As the hours passed, Draco became more anxious. He was dreading the date. Draco didn't do dates anymore. He had broken away from elegance long ago and was not looking forward to returning any time soon. His idea of a date was meeting someone at a bar or a club. Someone he had never seen before in his life and someone he would never see again after that night. He wanted to keep it that way.

Lisa had attempted to order flowers for Draco six different times within his first two hours at the office. Draco didn't feel the need for flowers, considering that he didn't want to participate in this date anyway. He had a feeling that Lisa was going to get her way without him knowing, though.

Lisa was more excited about Draco's date than he could ever hope to be. She had questioned him on what he was going to wear, if he had anything planned after dinner, whether he was going to drive or Apparate, and what he was planning on talking about.

Draco hadn't had an answer to any of Lisa's questions. He was starting to feel as if it were all just a game, one he was growing bored with quickly. At times, Lisa reminded him of his mother. Draco had a sneaking suspicion that his mother may have called, in order to get Draco's love life moving, before he had gotten to the office and he intended to ask about it the next time he spoke with her.

The rest of Draco's day passed without incident. By the time he had locked the office door, he had a feeling that he may have wanted to go out that night anyway. Granted, it was not the same as staying in and nursing a bottle of Ogden's Finest, but this night held more promise than the alcohol under his kitchen bar did.

He knew that Ginny wouldn't expect much from him. He didn't expect a damn thing from her, after all.

He was hoping that she would not ask him any questions about her parents' house. Though he had designed the blueprint and had been on the construction site, he had no idea about the project at all. For all he knew, Granger talked Potter into adding onto the house or making it more children-friendly. It was something that he should know, as the home's designer, but he found that he couldn't care less.

When Draco Apparated back to the flat, he opened the door to see a puzzled-looking Blaise staring at the counter.

"What's your problem?" Draco asked as he sat his keys on the coffee table and walked into the kitchen.

"Oh, nothing. I was just rereading this message here. It was taped on the door when I got in. It's from Sandy," Blaise said before looking up and attempting to hand Draco the note.

Draco walked past Blaise and over to the coffee machine. "Toss it," was all he said before pulling out a filter.

"It says that she is coming by tonight and wants to talk to you. Signed it 'Love, Sandy,'" Blaise informed Draco before tossing the small note into the waste bin.

"It's a good thing I'm not going to be here, then."

"That's right! You're going on a date. Should I tell her when she stops by?"

"Tell her what you want." Draco took two coffee mugs out of the cabinet and sat them on the counter before turning around to face Blaise. "How do you feel about doing away with the landline phone and just using our mobiles?"

Blaise looked thoughtful for a moment. "Works for me."

"Alright, then. Here's your coffee," Draco said as he sat a cup of coffee in front of Blaise and took his cup with him to the bathroom.

"Thanks!" Draco heard Blaise call from the hallway. It almost shocked Draco that Blaise actually meant it. Blaise never seemed to take notice when someone did something for him that he didn't ask for. It was on a rare occasion that he said thank you to anyone and truly meant it.

Draco turned on the shower and sipped at his coffee while allowing the water to warm. He had become accustomed to black coffee while living with Blaise.

Neither of the boys ever bothered to shop for groceries. The flat would go for days without being stocked. When they got tired of take-out, they would eventually make their way downtown and stock up for a good two weeks. Neither was capable of shopping without the other and, even then, the situation was iffy.

Draco finished off his coffee before stepping into the piping hot shower. He emerged several minutes later, dripping water onto the bathroom floor. After a quick shave, he padded into his bedroom and into the walk-in closet.

He took his time thumbing through his shirts, finally choosing a long-sleeved dark blue button up. It was a light silk material that would work perfectly with the weather. A pair of black trousers and shoes later and Draco was dressed and ready for the evening.

Blaise was sitting on the balcony with the door open when Draco walked into the living room. Seeing, as it was only six o'clock, he made his way to the balcony and took a seat in one of the plastic chairs next to Blaise.

"Looking spiffy," Blaise commented, taking in Draco's appearance.

"First rule of being a Malfoy is dress to impress," Draco informed Blaise as he took out a cigarette.

"I don't know about impressing anyone, but you are indeed spiffy."

"Yes, well, thank you. Where are my keys?" Draco asked suddenly.

He was not used to driving often, so he kept his car keys on a separate ring, different from the one he used for his office keys. Blaise, however, liked to drive every chance he got, so he usually took Draco's car. For some odd reason, he did not mind Blaise using his things.

Blaise dug in his pocket for a moment and, once he had located the keys, tossed them to Draco.

Draco gave a nod of thanks and they sat in silence for many minutes. It was a while before Draco noticed Blaise was staring at him.

"What?"

"Don't fuck up," Blaise said as he stood and walked back into the flat.

Draco sat for a moment, puzzled. What the hell is he talking about? Draco thought to himself. What would I fuck up? This damn date?

"Hey!" Draco called for Blaise as he stepped into doorway to the flat. Blaise popped his head out of the kitchen. "Fuck up what?"

Draco watched as Blaise gave a slight smile and moved to sit at the bar. Draco walked into the kitchen and behind the bar. If he was going to have a serious conversation with Blaise, he needed alcohol.

Blaise caught onto what Draco was doing and conjured two glasses. Draco poured the amber liquid into the glasses and remained standing, waiting for Blaise to start his talk.

"No offense or anything, mate, but you need a woman."

Draco arched a perfect eyebrow and took a sip of his whisky.

"You do. You're bored; I can tell you're bored, everyone around you can see it. You have to be able to see it," Blaise said before draining his glass and motioning to Draco to refill it.

Draco finished off his glass before refilling both Blaise's glass and his own.

"So, everyone thinks I am bored? Why?"

"Yes, because you are bored. I've been thinking about it for a while, actually. You, for some odd reason, were content with Sandy. Even though she was a psycho bitch, she kept you entertained, or at least preoccupied."

"So what you're saying is I need a woman to keep myself preoccupied?" Draco was not following Blaise's logic.

Draco and Blaise often had little chats about Draco's life and the way he ran it. This, however, was a new turn for their ever-going confrontation.

"Not just a woman, Draco, you need something in your life that is a constant. Something besides your work and my beautiful face."

Draco shot glances at the clock as the argument went on. Draco didn't know where Blaise was coming up with most of what he was saying.

"Have you been talking with my mother?" Draco finally asked Blaise.

Blaise gave him an odd look and allowed the conversation to end. Draco noticed the chance to escape and took it.

The argument between Draco and Blaise took longer than either had expected. When they were finished, Draco had just enough time to leave the flat and locate his car before he needed to leave.

He owned a black Aston Martin, even thought he didn't know anything about it. Blaise had gone with him when Draco had the whim to buy something. Blaise was extremely excited about Draco's purchase and, since Draco didn't know what he was doing, he decided to let Blaise pick something out for them to play with.

It was not as if Blaise could not have afforded to spend money as if it were nothing, he just preferred not to. Blaise paid for the flat and Draco bought everything that went inside it, as well as everything that went into storage because it simply would not fit into the flat.

The X was a Muggle restaurant that Blaise had attempted to get Draco to eat at several times. He knew exactly where it was, though he had never been inside.

The drive took less than fifteen minutes, though it took him a good while to find a parking spot.

The inside of the restaurant was dimly lit and had a romantic feel that made Draco a bit uncomfortable. Draco found himself wondering if Blaise really liked the food here; he hoped that the other boy didn't want to drag him along for the ambiance.

Before he knew it, the host was standing before him asking if he had made reservations.

"Malfoy," Draco said in a monotone.

"This way, sir."

Draco was led to a table at the back of a large room.

Ginny was already seated at the table the waiter had lead Draco to. Draco was actually shocked when he noticed she looked quite good. Her hair was loose and her curls cascaded down her back. She wore a spaghetti-strapped black dress that ended just above her knees.

Draco took in a deep breath, hoping that he could be civil to the woman for the night.

When he reached the table, he took her hand in what appeared to be a friendly handshake, though it was obvious that both were a bit hesitant.

"Hello," she said nicely.

"Good evening," Draco replied with a smile.

He took a seat just as two menus were sat on the table by a young waitress.

Draco and Ginny both scanned the menus for a moment before Ginny peered over hers to look at Draco. Draco noticed the movement and looked up as well.

"Yes?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't mean to be rude or anything, but I was just wondering if you, by any chance, sent flowers to my work today?"

A smile broke across Draco's face and he quickly tried to hide it. "Actually, that would have been the combined efforts of my secretary and my mother, I do believe."

"Do your mother and your secretary conspire against you often?" Ginny asked, setting down her menu.

"One of them always has something up their sleeve. This, however, is the first time they have come together." Draco shook his head slightly at the thought.

"Well, thank you for the flowers all the same," Ginny said with a smile.

"You're welcome." Draco gave a small smile back.

To avoid looking at Ginny for too long, in case she got the idea that he was interested in her, he glanced over her shoulder. That was when he noticed two women sitting at the table behind Ginny. He knew he had seen them before.

Draco caught Ginny's eye and dropped his voice. "I believe we are being watched."

"What?" she asked, looking confused.

Draco nodded subtly to the table behind her. Thank Merlin she had the sense not to look back.

"I know that I have seen both of those women at Witch Weekly's office."

"I thought we were to report on the date ourselves." Ginny kept her voice down as she spoke.

Draco did not like the fact that he was being watched. It felt as if he had people spying on him, and it pissed him off that Doris had not told him anything about this.

The war had taken a toll on Draco and he found that the thought of spying made him quite uncomfortable. He couldn't help but let the flood of memories from the past fall into his mind. No, he could not take it.

"Let's leave," Draco suggested.

"Leave?"

"Yes. Excuse yourself to the restroom and meet me outside."

"Alright," Ginny said after a moment of thinking. "Draco, if you will excuse me for a moment, I need to use the restroom," she said in a louder voice before grabbing her handbag and standing up.

Draco stood with her just the way his mother had taught him. Once she had walked away, he sat back down and surveyed the room.

Draco noticed the women looking at him and decided that he would put on an act.

Glancing around the room again, he pretended to notice an old friend who just so happened to be closer to the exit.

He approached a man sitting at a table alone and started to engage the slightly surprised man in conversation. He kept the two women in sight and when they turned to talk to each other, he made his hasty exit.

Ginny was standing just outside the entrance looking as if she thought he would not follow through with the plan.

"Hurry up." Draco smiled at Ginny's surprised look. "They're going to know something's up when they don't see me anywhere."

"Where are we going, then?"

"Come on, my car is this way," Draco said, walking back to where he had parked.

Draco and Ginny hurriedly made their way to Draco's car. When she turned the wrong way in the parking lot, he grabbed her hand to stop her. Both halted for a second at the contact and, after an odd moment of silence, took off again as if nothing had happened.

"Wow, I can't actually picture you driving," Ginny said as they reached the car.

"Shocking, I know," Draco said as he pushed the button on his key ring for the car doors to unlock.

"You can drive, right?" Ginny asked, seeming unsure.

Draco gave an involuntary chuckle. "Yes, I can drive, thank you. Now, get in."

They both slid into the leather interior of the car. Draco started the engine while he watched Ginny look around the car in interest.

"This is a Muggle car, isn't it?"

"Yes, actually it is. I don't particularly like any of the Muggle/magical hybrids."

"Well, it seems to suit you."

Draco only nodded before leaning over to remove the pack of cigarettes he kept in the glove box. He could feel Ginny staring at him as he lit his cigarette.

"Problem?" he finally asked after he had taken a drag.

"No, I just find it quite amusing that you and Harry actually have something in common. Even if it is something so trivial."

"Yes, I did notice that Potter had picked up the nasty habit as well." Draco let a small cryptic smile slide onto his face. "Where to?" he asked as he turned onto a busy street.

"Oh, I don't mind. You pick," Ginny told him as she looked out the passenger side window.

"Not even a suggestion?"

"Alright." Ginny thought for a moment. "Something simple and Muggle works for me."

"Simply Muggle it is then. There is a small Chinese place up here that Blaise drags me to about once a week. How does that sound?"

"Works for me." Ginny paused and bit her lip for a moment before going on. "Blaise Zabini?"

"Yes, we have a flat together."

Draco explained to Ginny how he and Blaise had come to live with one another. Ginny had actually been quite interested in hearing that Draco lived in a Muggle flat. She seemed shocked to find that Draco was capable of cooking using Muggle appliances and completely baffled when he let slip that he even knew a thing or two about computers.

It was not long before the couple reached Hong Kong Takeaway and Diner. It was a small, modern establishment that had an extremely relaxing atmosphere.

Ginny had pointed out that they were both overdressed. Draco had agreed only after receiving many stares from the other costumers that were in everyday attire.

It was not long before Draco learned that Ginny had just moved back from Germany to work at St. Mungo's and that she had just moved into her own flat. He was surprised to find that she only lived about ten blocks away from him.

"At night," Ginny said as she picked up a noodle with her chopsticks for the sixth time, "one of my neighbors always gets into a fight with her boyfriend. It's almost scary sometimes with them yelling death threats at one another. I guess it's needless to say I don't sleep well."

"Place a complaint."

"I have talked to some of my other neighbors about it. They say the woman is the landlord's daughter and that's the reason no one has said anything before."

"Is it a Muggle building?"

"Yes."

"That means no silencing charms then, I guess."

"That's right. But I have submitted a request to the Ministry for one. How about your building?"

"Even though it's a Muggle building, there are enough witches and wizards that rent there that the Ministry allows most spells. Well, mainly cleaning and cooking spells, but they tend to overlook some other small spells."

"Doesn't Zabini work in the Department of Mysteries?"

"That's right," Draco said before finishing off his chicken.

"I would say that's why they overlook your flat."

"That's a good point."

As Draco and Ginny finished their dinner, they swapped several stories and burst out laughing numerous times, earning them many odd looks from other customers. Dinner for Draco was, to say the least, a pleasant affair.

After Draco dropped Ginny off at her flat, he drove the few blocks to his own home and realized that he truly did enjoy his date with Ginny Weasley.