When Love and Hate Collide

~*~* Chapter Three *~*~

Ginny punched her pillow, trying to fall asleep. It had to be almost one in the morning, and she had to check in the office early tomorrow, as she was due for her weekly departmental meeting at eight a.m. Isabella's words earlier came back to her... the girl falls in love with the pretend boyfriend instead... No, she thought, shuddering. That can't happen. EVER. He's a Malfoy and I'm a Weasley, and that's that. And besides, the whole idea of this exercise is trying to get Harry's attention.

But that didn't stop her heart fluttering whenever she thought of the way he said her name yesterday... Virginia...

My brothers are going to kill me... she thought, falling into a fitful sleep.

*

"Damn, damn and double damn!" Ginny muttered, looking at the birthday present that Isabella got her last year - a Muggle alarm clock - on her bedside table. She'd overslept, and had woken up with only fifteen minutes to spare. When did the alarm go off? she thought.

Quickly, she changed into the only clean clothes in her closet: crisp jeans, and white shirt. It was Friday, after all; as a rule she only did her laundry Saturday mornings, and thought longingly of the days back in the Burrow when her closet was full of clean clothes. Tying up her vivid red hair into a ponytail, she then wore her Daily Prophet robes and Disapparated.

Ginny only had time to drop by her desk to pick up her logbook (junior reporters are supposed to carry log books to keep record of their daily activities, which are then used as a basis for performance review) and sprinted to the Conference Room, which was, thankfully, on her floor, but on the opposite side. Not seeing where she was going, she accidentally bumped into someone in her rush. "Oh! Sorry... I'm so sorry Colin, I really didn't see you there," Ginny said to Colin Creevey, who was a staff photographer with the Daily Prophet

Colin gave her a grin. "No prob. Gin, you looked like you were trying to qualify for the Olympics or something. What's the rush?" Colin had gone to Hogwarts with her, and had been a Gryffindor as well, so Ginny felt very comfortable around him.

"I'm late for the department meeting," she panted.

"I'm on my way there," Colin said, and glanced at his wristwatch. It had been a graduation present from his Muggle father. "Come, let's walk in together; you know how Knowles hates for anyone to be late."

Sure enough, when they walked in at approximately two seconds after eight, Helga Knowles - Editor for Entertainment - shot them a dirty look. They both muttered their apologies, and then took their seats. "Now that all of us have managed to be here, we shall begin our meeting. Miranda, what's first on the agenda?" Miranda was her Personal Assistant, and secretary of the department, which meant that all things go through her first before they went to her boss.

"The Weird Sisters' reunion concert, Ms Knowles. It's next Saturday, and we haven't assigned anyone to this story yet. And also... the organizers have given us ten free passes, so we're to distribute that as well," Miranda paused, looking at her notes. "Also the normal book, film and album reviews for the Sunday edition." At this, she gave Ginny a small smile.

Ginny crossed her fingers under the table, hoping against hope that she'd get to cover the Weird Sisters' reunion concert, when Helga Knowles' voice cut through her thoughts, "Betty, could you be a dear and cover the Weird Sisters' reunion concert? It has to be the main event of the spring season! Make sure to give it a full review, all right? And Colin, you go with her and get some decent photographs. If possible I want a picture of the band together, and a full length interview..."

Ginny's heart sank. She knew what that meant - she was stuck with the boring, boring job of reviewing new books, films and albums from new singing sensations. She sighed. Oh well, that's the job of a junior Entertainment reporter, she thought, diligently writing it in her logbook. Some job. At least this weekend is the premier of the movie in the Wizarding World - Exterminator IV. If it was as good as its predecessors, at least Ginny didn't waste two-and-a-half hours of her precious weekend time to watch the movie.

After that, she didn't pay too much attention to the rest of the meeting, and didn't even realize that Miranda had distributed the Weird Sisters' reunion concert invitations to everyone but her.

*

The rest of the day didn't go as she'd planned at all. Ginny originally had lunch plans with her brothers, Fred and George, who would treat her to a very nice (translated: expensive) lunch. They tried to have lunch together once or twice a month, to catch up on news as all the Weasley children are not living in the Burrow anymore. Sometimes their brother Ron joined them whenever he was available. Today however, she'd received a note from them, which basically said that lunch was cancelled as they had important business elsewhere. If anything, those two could have turned her mood around, as they were the jokers of the family.

Cursing inwardly, Ginny started working on the album reviews, which had been dumped unceremoniously on her desk by Miranda. There were three or four albums, and most looked like they belonged to some punk bands. She needed to get this done by tomorrow if it was to be ready for the Sunday edition.

"Bad time?" a male voice asked.

Ginny looked up from her writing, and saw Draco Malfoy leaning against the wall of her cubicle. "N-no," she said. Damn, did he have to come here today, when I am not even dressed for the occasion?

"Well, I was in the neighbourhood," he gave his signature smirk "and I thought you'd like to join me for lunch. You know, to discuss further on this proposal of yours. Looking at the schedule, we don't have much time." He looked over at Ginny, who seemed to be all flustered. Draco narrowed his eyes. "You don't mean to unkiss the bargain, do you?"

"No, of course not," Ginny replied. "It's just that... well I'm pretty busy at the moment, and I need to finish reviewing these by tomorrow."

"All right then. Send me an owl later," Draco said, making to leave.

Ginny stared at his retreating back. "Draco!" she called out to him. "Hang on a sec - I'll come to lunch with you."

*

Draco took Ginny to his favorite coffee shop - the Beans, which was located, conveniently, midway between both their offices. Ginny didn't tell him that this was where she and Isabella sometimes had drinks after work, but she'd never been here for lunch before. She liked this establishment as it made a mean Moccachino Ice Blended.

They queued for their drinks, and ordered sandwiches, and then proceeded to sit at one of the tables by the sidewalk. "So... how's your day so far? It didn't looked too good when I arrived earlier," Draco asked.

"It's definitely not my day," Ginny revealed, inwardly surprised at his consideration. "I was late for my department meeting this morning, then I got stuck doing boring reviews while someone else got to interview the Weird Sisters for its reunion concert." Ginny made a face. "That was what I was doing when you walked in on me."

Draco laughed. "And I thought I had the worst day," he proceeded to tell her that he'd received an owl from his mother, Narcissa, and that the American witch and her mother will be in town the day after the Spring Fling, for a month long visit to Europe, but will be staying with them at the Manor for one week. "And I'm supposed to play bloody tourist guide to this girl... damn, I can't even remember her name!" he looked pained at the prospect.

"OK," Ginny agreed, "your day is definitely worse than mine. What are our plans, then, now that this has come up?"

Both of them became quiet at the thought; Ginny was absent-mindedly twirling her straw. "Well, we could put in an appearance at the Manor sometime next week, I can introduce you as my girlfriend and hopefully Mother will be so put off that she'd forget to complete her match making," Draco said, half jokingly.

"OK, I guess we could do that. But you know, we need to put in an appearance at The Living Room tomorrow night - a little birdie told me that Harry's bringing someone there." Ginny said.

"The Living Room?" Draco looked confused.

"It's that Muggle dance club a few blocks from my apartment. It's pretty good; plays most new hit songs, mostly R&B and hip hop stuff - Muggle music. I've been in there a few times with Harry and Ron and Hermione, sometimes Luna joins us as well..." she trailed off.

"Muggle dance club? Draco Malfoy in a Muggle dance club? You gotta be joking Virginia. No way, na-ah!" Draco shook his head vehemently, looking paler than he had when he'd told Ginny of the impending arrival of the American witch.

"You have to keep your end of the bargain if you want me to come over for dinner with Mommy dearest next week. Otherwise, the deal is off," she said sternly, playing her biggest card.

Draco's normally confident face fell. She supposed it was because he'd never been to such (Muggle) places. "It's not that bad, it'll be fun, I promise. Your first visit to a night club," Ginny clapped her hands excitedly. "Can you pick me up by eight tomorrow night? One more thing... you should try getting some Muggle clothing. You want to... fit in, you know."

Both of them were so busy making plans for the following weeks, and so engrossed in their conversation, and each other, that they did not see a lone figure walking past them, wearing a low-brimmed hat. He had wanted to come up and say hello to them, and maybe join them for a drink, but as he got closer he overheard the last sentence, pick me up at eight, saw the two of them chatting and looking like they were having a good time, that he did not dare to interrupt. Not even if the girl was his sister.

~*~* Chapter Four *~*~

Friday evening...

"Luna!" Ginny yelled, giving her housemate a hug. "You're back, when did you get in?" Luna works as a flight attendant with British Airways, and was gone frequently. Ginny and Luna had been sharing the same flat since they'd graduated from Hogwarts, however. As the two of them shared the same tastes in decorating, they did not have problems finding furniture and Muggle gadgets to decorate their two bedroomed flat. The living room had a love seat, two single armchairs, a small coffee table, a radio that can play both CDs and cassettes, and a television set. Already Ginny found that she'd loved to watch television, and was hooked on to Charmed, a series about three powerful witch sisters. She watched it faithfully week after week, never missing an episode.

"Oh, just this afternoon. Man, I am so beat,' Luna said, plopping herself into her favourite armchair in their living room, sipping an iced tea. She had already changed from her uniform into more comfortable shorts and tee shirt. "So, what's new? Any plans this weekend?"

"Yeah... Draco and I are hitting The Living Room tomorrow," Ginny said slowly.

Luna raised an eyebrow at her friend. "Draco... as in Draco Malfoy?"

"You're beginning to sound like Harry," she said, and laughed. At the look on Luna's face, however, she quickly proceeded to tell her friend the whole story. "So basically, it's just a matter of you-scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch-yours," she concluded.

"This I have to see. And you say Harry's taking someone there tomorrow?" she asked, thoughtfully.

"Yup. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees me with Malfoy..."

*

Saturday morning, at Harry's office...

Harry Potter was confused. He just had a chat with his best friend, Ronald Weasley about something very peculiar.

"You saw them... where?!?!" he'd practically yelled.

"Chill, Harry, not so loud!!" Ron tried to calm Harry down, to no avail.

"You didn't even stop to say hello?" Harry demanded.

"No, I told you, they looked like they were on a lunch... date or something. Ginny didn't even notice me; she was too engrossed in what she and Malfoy were discussing." Ron shuddered. His sister, on a date with Malfoy? No, that just couldn't be.

"And where did you say they were going... at eight?" Harry demanded again. Was it a date for tonight?

"I told you, I don't know! All I heard was pick me up at eight. Whether it was for tonight or tomorrow, I can't tell," Ron said, banging his fist on the desk in frustration. Ouch!

Harry looked over at his friend. "You know, Ginny came by here the other day... she was acting kinda weird."

"What do you mean, weird?" Ron asked, quizzically.

"She looked like someone who was caught doing something she shouldn't be doing..." he trailed off. "And, she was there to see Malfoy, if you can believe it," Harry snorted. "Something for the Daily Prophet. And then, she went off with him to his office, easy as you please! Personally, I think they're up to something."

"Wait a minute, Ginny came here to see Malfoy? You're kidding, right?"

"Nope, I didn't believe it, either, and I saw it with my own eyes. If someone had told me that, I would've said they were bonkers."

Ron nodded his head. "By the way, tonight's still on, right?"

"Yup. The Living Room, then. Ten tonight."

*

Later that evening...

The two girls, Luna and Ginny, were preparing to go out that night. Luna had a date with Ginny's brother, Ron, and Ginny... well, we know who Ginny's going out with. The two of them flitted into each other's rooms, exchanging Muggle makeup products (Luna had more experience with these) and going through each other's wardrobes.

"What am I going to wear?" shrieked Ginny. "I can't go to The Living Room with these robes, I just can't!!"

"Stay calm Gin," said Luna, rummaging in her closet. "See, here is a nice black halter top that would go nicely with your skirt. Try it on."

Ginny did, but she didn't like the effect of it, so the skirt went into the 'discard' pile, which had been steadily growing for the past hour. She liked the halter, however, and, picking up her trusty jeans from her 'maybe' pile, she declared she would just turn up on her date with this outfit, Malfoy or no.

"And what are you going to wear, Luna?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, I'm just going to wear the new top that I bought in Rio recently," she said "and pair them with this new skirt. What do you think?" she asked, laying the clothes on her bed.

"Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. Ron won't know what hit him!" Ginny giggled. "Speaking of Ron... could you please not tell him that I'm going out with Draco tonight? He'll really get mad. Honestly, sometimes I think they still treat me as a seven-year-old!"

"Don't worry, he won't find out from me. But... did you say The Living Room? I think Ronald did mention something about dancing..." she trailed off, trying to remember.

At this point, Ginny began to panic. "Luna, you HAVE to promise me that no matter what happens, you are NOT to bring Ron to The Living Room tonight, you understand? I just want this to be between me and Harry; having Ron there would just... spoil it all."

"OK, OK, I understand. Sheesh! Alright, I'll do whatever I can to stall your brother," she began.

"Not stall, Luna. I mean, do whatever you can, feign a headache or tiredness if you have to, but just please don't bring him there," Ginny pleaded.

"OK Gin, I swear I'll feign a headache, and ask him to keep me company or something."

Ginny looked thankfully at her friend. "Thanks, I owe you one."

"Sure you do Weasley. Now what time did you say Malfoy's coming to pick you up?" Luna asked, glancing at her watch.

"Eight. What time is it now?" she asked.

"Almost seven fifteen. You better get ready now if you want to be on time!" Luna had to raise her voice at the last part, as Ginny had suddenly jumped up from the bed and sprinted to her room.

*

A stunned Draco stood in the middle of Ginny's living room. He had arrived, approximately at eight, using the Floo Network. Dusting off some soot from his new trousers, Draco looked around the living room. Nice, he thought. The room was definitely cozy. There were some machine things that he didn't know - probably Muggle stuff, he thought - and looked interestedly around him.

"Hey, Draco," a soft voice behind him said. "You're on time."

He turned around slowly to face the only female Weasley sibling. She was all dressed up in jeans and - what do you call this kind of top? he wondered. Anyhow, he thought she looked great. She left her red hair about her shoulders, and had on the tiniest bit of makeup - one would have to really look to see if she had any on - unlike those damn Slytherin girls who he'd dated in the past; you had to look really hard to see if their eyelashes were real. This one, he thought, was a gem. The best accessory she was wearing, as far as Draco was concerned, was the big smile on her face, like she was really glad to see him. He could feel his heart (or was it his stomach?) doing little flip-flops.

Whoa Malfoy, he thought. Better be careful about this one... "Well, Virginia?" he asked, taking a deep breath. "Are you ready?"

Ginny nodded. Taking the arm he offered, they both walked out of the apartment, leaving an astonished (but out of sight) Luna, gawping.