Past Life: Draco and Ginny
Chapter Four
As much as Ginny had grown to hate admitting Draco was right, she found herself having to agree with him once again; the party was an immense bore. She at least expected to find him wandering around shooting death glares at any person that looked like they were going to risk their necks to talk to him but she couldn't find him anywhere. After an hour of wandering around Ginny decided she'd rest her feet and sit on a bench in the veranda. The best part about it was that there were drapes hiding the entrance and gave the most privacy. There was almost no one outside on the clear night and Ginny found her body relaxing, screw finding Draco this was soothing, and much more soothing then wondering if her hair and blush were still in place.
"Such a handsome man that Malfoy turned out to be." Ginny looked around trying to locate the female voice and found that there must be some people on the other side of the drapes not realizing she could hear every single word they were saying.
"Yes, but this manners and attitude towards everything is so foul. Then let's not forget those rumors…"
"Oh yes. They managed to keep it very quiet but I really do think he killed his father."
"They say it was self defense."
"Oh please Pricilla. I heard Lucius Malfoy was a bastard and maybe one day dear Draco became tired of his cruel father and with all the money Draco inherited could have brought the police. It's happened before."
"I don't think…" There was a pause, "Michael sure has grown over the past year hasn't he? Let's go say hello."
Ginny turned her head just in time to see the shadows of the two gossiping girls move away and sighed. It was girls like them that made her wonder what misfortune decided most girls were catty.
"Amusing, those rumors are."
Ginny looked to her right and saw Draco's blonde hair in the shadows of the veranda.
"How long were you there?"
"A little bit before you sat down, I need to get away from those women." Ginny could've sworn she saw him shudder, "You'd think I was some prize be won at the fair."
"Some prize." Ginny said, "I can imagine it now. You think you're going to have my child? What are your credentials? Is your womb furnished enough? I pity the woman you marry."
"Pity is for the merciful."
"Draco?"
"Yes?"
"About your family…"
"My father is dead, and I did kill him." At the look on Ginny's face he continued to say, "He used to beat my mother to show me how to be a man. My mother was too much in love with him to do anything and just took it. One day he got sick" He pulled out a cigarette and the look of distaste on Ginny's face sighed and put the cigarette back into his pocket, "It was easily curable and I went out to get it. When I came back and was about to give him the medicine he came toward me and the look in his eyes wasn't sane. My father never approved of my, he insisted I was too soft and too into those lesser then me. He then went into detail on what he did not my mother every night."
Hearing Ginny's gasp he shook his head, "I just walked away and burned the medicine. He died three days later. My mother never really was a strong person and she went crazy a few days after his death. She hung herself with one of the sheets in her room. I was away taking care of the final details of my father's business. The house stunk of her body."
There was a tense silence and Ginny sighed taking a sip of her drink before opening her mouth, "I always believed in judging a person by past deeds and present deeds. You were young and such a traumatic experience. I," she sighed, "I wouldn't blame you or hate you."
"You might not believe me but that means a lot to me."
They sat in silence for a while neither one feeling the need to fill the silence with words looking up into the night sky.
"Ginny?" A voice called.
Both turned to look towards a tall red headed man with slight dusting of freckles, dressed in a suit and looking like he hated every single minute of it.
"Hi Daddy."
Ginny could only imagine the look on Draco's face at her childish recognition of the man that pushed back the drapes. Deciding to push it away from her mind Ginny stood up and without saying good bye to Draco took her father's arm and let her lead her into the ballroom once again.
"I have someone I want you to meet."
"Who? What's his name?"
"Mathew Blewetts. He is moving up around and I thought perhaps you'd like to meet him."
"You mean mother thought I'd like to meet him." Ginny retorted choosing not to add that she'd already met this rising star of the Ministry. The thing that bothered her was that Mathew told her he wished to be an artist and didn't really like political agendas.
"Mathew this is my daughter Virginna, Virginna meet Mathew Blewetts."
Mathew smiled and as he bowed tenderly took her hand and kissed the glove covered skin. As he withdrew his hand he smiled and said quietly, "A pleasure."
"The pleasure is all mine."
In all honesty the formality was driving Ginny crazy. What happened to the charming young man she'd met only a few months ago. As Ginny accepted the invitation to dance she searched frantically for an appropriate way to ask.
"Whatever happened to the young man I knew, Mathew?"
"What do you mean?" He dipped her abruptly and Ginny almost screamed from the lack of coordination she felt.
"You wanted to be an artist. Not some diplomat that works for other men. You wanted to sleep and wake up whenever you wanted, no definite schedule. Now you're organized, work close with my father, and are in this ball at a few months ago you swore you'd never set foot on."
"Your perfect man correct?"
"You seemed to hit it off with Matthew." Her mother said standing by the wall with her family's friends.
"No mother."
"But-"
"NO."
Her mother sighed, "I wish you would at least take your position in society seriously. Molly noticed that Ginny was not listening to her lecture and followed her eyes to land on Draco Malfoy talking to a long haired blonde.
"Handsome man." Molly commented, "Though evil to the core. They say he killed his own family."
When Ginny turned to her in what she thought was surprise, Molly nodded in smiled, "Bad blood in that family. That there is, I met the father once cruel and ruthless to the core. He was one of the people who were against your father's promotion."
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion Mother."
Her mother's look made Ginny wonder if there was more to the story.
The evening was drawing to an end and Ginny managed to catch up to Luna once more.
"What are you and Ron doing after this?"
"He has some business to take care of and I am going to visit a seer." She paused, "Want to come?"
"Luna you know I don't believe in those things."
"I didn't say you had to partake in it. I just wanted the company."
"I don't know Luna."
"Oh come on. It'll be fun."
Ginny looked around and dreaded her mother's match making ploys and knew going with Draco would cause a scandal.
"Alright, let me get my cloak."