Smear

Chapter Seven

Ginny bent down and plucked up the envelope from the floor. The owl hooted, tried to bite her, and then flew to the other side of the room.

"I think you offended him," Luna said, shaking her head. "I'm sure she didn't mean it," she said to the bird sympathetically.

"What does it say?" Hermione asked anxiously. Apparently, she had forgotten her anger towards her two friends.

"It says, he can't wait until later to see me," Ginny murmured.

From her bed, Luna squealed.

"He wants me to dress quickly, because he's coming in about an hour to take me somewhere," Ginny finished the note excitedly.

"Your date is early?" Luna asked. Obviously, she hadn't been paying much attention. She was too busy making small talk with Draco's owl.

Ginny stared at her. "I don't think so, no. I think he has a surprise before the date."

Luna blinked and turned her head to finally look at the other two. "Well, that's nice."

"Can I have some privacy?" Ginny asked.

"Did we do something?" Luna asked. She glanced at Hermione, then back at Ginny.

"No," said Ginny, smiling softly. "I just need some time to calm my nerves."

When they left her room, Ginny shut her door and turned around to face her closet. She started to rummage through it before a noise from her bed disturbed her. She glanced at it, having completely forgot about the bird that sat on top of her blanket.

"You're waiting for a response," she said matter-of-factly.

The owl hooted and clicked its beak impatiently before Ginny conjured a piece of parchment and a quill, wrote her reply, and held out her hand.

There was a sudden knock on the door. With Ginny momentarily distracted, the owl took the opportunity to bite down on her flesh, causing her to hiss, as she stuck her finger in her mouth.

"Gin, are you alright?" her father asked. "I heard you have an earlier date with Draco than you initially expected."

"I'm fine," she mumbled. "His bloody bird just bit my hand."

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"Sure," she said, continuing to rummage through her clothes. "I still haven't found anything good."

"Where is he taking you?" Arthur asked as he came into the room. He eyed the owl on his daughter's bed wearily.

"No idea," Ginny muttered. "So, did you need something?"

Her father smiled tiredly. "I just wanted to check on you. Have you spoken to Harry since the other day?"

"I did." She brushed some hair behind her ear. "We're okay now. He was just being over protective."

"Typical Harry," Arthur muttered. "I suppose you found that bothersome?"

Ginny looked surprised. "I thought you liked Harry."

"Oh, don't get me wrong," he said. "I love Harry like he was another son - and trust me, the ones we have are enough - but sometimes he can be very... well, egotistical."

Ginny burst out laughing. When she sobered she said, "Okay, okay. When you go back downstairs, can you send up Luna?"

He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Have fun tonight. I'll send her up." He gave the owl another glace. "Take your reply back to Draco; I'm sure he's waiting anxiously."

As Arthur exited his daughter's room, Ginny sat down on her bed, her hand hovering over the owl as it blinked at her.

"Will you stop looking at me and go back to him?" she murmured.

The owl gave a hoot and disappeared out the window.

"You need new clothes," Luna muttered as she walked back into the room. She looked around at all the dresses on the bed.

"Thank you," Ginny said, sighing. "I can't wear the red one like I wanted, it clashes horribly with my hair, and he's seen me in the black one already."

"How about a green one?" someone spoke from the doorway.

"I thought you were angry," Ginny said, raising an eyebrow.

Hermione shook her head and held out a gorgeous, long emerald colored dress. "I was, but then I thought about it for awhile, and you were right. Harry can be a little annoying when he's constantly protecting you. Trust me, I should know."

Ginny laughed and nodded. "The dress looks lovely. Where did you get it?"

"It's mine," Hermione said unexpectedly. "I just modified it a bit, that's all."

"It's really nice," Luna muttered, looking out the window. "Where did he go?"

Ginny blinked. "He went back to Draco."

"Oh," said Luna sadly. "I was having fun talking to him."

"Owls don't usually respond to that, Lovegood," a voice said.

Draco stood in her doorway, glancing around.

Ginny stared at him, her eyes wide. "How did you get in?" she asked.

"It's called a door," Draco said, his mouth turning upward into a smirk. "Your mother was gracious enough to let me in. She told me you were upstairs. Should I come back? It looks like you're unprepared."

"Thank you," Ginny said.

"You're going to wear that?" Draco said, pointing to the dress.

The redhead nodded once.

"Well," he said, his lips twitching. "Merlin help you, then."

***

Ginny was hesitant when she stepped into the foyer of Malfoy Manor, her eyes lingering over the walls, stopping every now and again to take in something she hadn't seen before. Behind her, Draco chuckled.

"What?" she asked, turning around.

"Aren't you curious as to why we aren't on our date yet?"

Ginny shrugged. "You said you wanted to go somewhere beforehand. I wasn't going to question it. Anyway, this is really nice."

He smiled and edged closer to her. She met him halfway, her fingers trembling as she reached up to push the hair from his eyes. She exhaled as he bent his head, his lips inches from hers.

Someone cleared their throat.

"Didn't you two have a date tonight?"

"Mother," Draco greeted, pulling back slightly. "I was just showing Ginny the house."

Narcissa Malfoy smiled softly and extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss. Weasley."

"Likewise."

"I'm surprised Father hadn't told you all about her, Mother, seeing as he disapproves of this so greatly."

"You shouldn't be troubled by him," Narcissa murmured, glancing at Ginny's expression.

"He doesn't like me," Ginny said softly, glancing at Draco.

"Of course he does," Draco said as he pulled Ginny into a hug. Over her shoulder, he frowned deeply at his mother.