Kissing Ginevra Weasley

Thanks to Marinka for beta reading!

Chapter One:

Ginny groaned as the 'error: 404' popped up on her computer screen once again. The gray box blinked menacingly at her, taunting her for her lack of technological intelligence. Refraining from clenching her fingers around the mouse, she moved the cursor over the `OK' button and rapidly depressed the right side repeatedly. It only took seconds for the box to pop back up, and her teeth continued to clench and grind harder with every warning `ding' the computer made.

"Damn it!" Her left hand slammed against the glossy smooth tan desk. She glared angrily as the dull sting in her hand throbbed towards her wrist. She was somewhat grateful the pain took her attention away from the real problem, even if it was only for a moment. She inhaled through her nose, letting the air fill her lungs, hoping breaths would calm her. But when she tried it again, the tenth attempt brought the same results.

She gritted her teeth and swiveled her black twirling chair to the side. Reaching forward, she yanked the drawer open. It was her supply drawer for work, filled with rubber bands, tacks, and paper clips. The pens and pencils scattered inside rolled forwards as she pushed them around searching.

So intent on trying to find what she was looking for, she failed to notice Fred, smugly sauntering up behind her. He paused next to her desk, cocking his head to the side and propping his hip against the corner of the brown filing cabinet just beside her.

“What the devil are you doing?” His question was serious, but she knew him well enough to hear the subtle teasing behind the words.

“I'm looking for my wand.”

“Why? You know magic doesn't respond well in here.”

`In here' was essentially the office where Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes kept client information and recipes for the already established Wheezes and tricks. It also included monthly bills, payroll for employees, and requests random customers sent in, hoping the boys would put into action his or her invention. Yes, they even had an inventing department that would help people patent their idea and produce it. As it turns out, when Malfoy did something, he did it right.

The corner of her mouth rose into a sneer as the taste of disgust burned her nose and spilled onto her tongue. She never knew disgust had a taste until she'd started working with Malfoy. It's kind of a mixture of sulfur, sweet whipping cream, and cigarette ashes.

“Will you answer me?” he asked.

Heaving a sigh she paused, letting the wrist of her hand rest against the cold metal of the drawer as she glanced up. “So I can blast this thing to smithereens,” she said, gesturing wildly to the computer. “I've never used Avada Kedavra on a living thing, but I expect the rules don't apply to non-living things. I'm fairly certain it will work just fine too.”

Fred raised an amused eyebrow, his arms folded causally over his arms, his right ankle crossed over his left as he continued to lean on the filing cabinet. “I don't think Draco would take to that.”

"Sodding git,” she mumbled, not knowing who the name was directed at, her brother or Malfoy. “I don't understand why Malfoy integrated computers into our world." The complaint rolled off her tongue as she rolled away from her desk, slouching into the cradle of cushiony chair. She reached forward, furiously punching her index finger onto the enter button only to have the machine beep at her once more.

Clucking her tongue with irritation she yanked her hand back as if she'd been scalded, and settled it against her waist, but not before letting the machine have one more scowl. The evil beast…

“Draco said it's more efficient and from what I've learned I have to agree with him.”

"Efficient schmicient. You should have never agreed to make him a stock holder. If you hadn't done that…”

Fred tensed, but cut her off, swiping a hand through the air swiftly, before she could continue. "It was an investment we couldn't refuse. You know that. So while I'm willing to let you complain about other things, I won't let that be it.” His voice was no longer playful.

Ginny pouted. She'd mentioned it knowing it was a touchy subject, but she was just so frustrated, and when she didn't say anything right away, Fred felt the need to continue on how Draco Malfoy saved WWW.

"That hefty chunk of money from Harry only helped us start. Our money combined was barely enough to get supplies. We couldn't even pay you!”

“And you were too proud to ask Harry for more,” she said, mumbling like a brat. She knew it, but she wasn't about to stop either. “He would've done it. He's almost as rich as Malfoy.”

“Ginny,” he said, scolding her like she was a babe. “Harry is family, and we already felt guilty enough munching at Mum's because we couldn't afford a flat payment and food. The business hadn't taken off as quick as we'd have liked because we couldn't manage enough money for any type of advertisement—"

“Harry is not technically family.”

Fred rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. Can we change the subject? I was in a good mood when I came over here, now I feel like I have to defend why you still get a paycheck.”

Ginny raised an eyebrow. Point taken. Still… “It's sad we couldn't swallow our pride and ask a friend versus an enemy.”

Fred pursed his lips together and shook his head, his shoulders lifting into a shrug. "Eh, enemy's a strong word."

Feeling fully righteous, because `enemy' was indeed the right word, Ginny lifted her head and promptly folded her arms across her chest, raising her chin, and sticking out her nose as she spewed her response. "Yeah well, you didn't get the brunt of his immaturities in school."

Fred frowned at her response before letting out a tiny snort. "You're right, but neither did you. As I recall that was you're other favorite brother Ron and his lackeys."

Ginny's brow furrowed with defeat. "Well, technically Ron and Hermione were Harry's lackeys.” It was more of an after thought spoken allowed before she had an `ah-ha' moment and spoke again. “I Bat-Boogey Hexed him! Malfoy, I mean." She nodded with triumphant glee.

Fred's smile was slow as it teased the corners of his mouth upwards. With a roll of his eyes, another shake of his head, he responded. “It sounds like he got the brunt of your wildness in school."

Ginny gave a half shrug and leaned forward to place her elbows dead center on her desk. Resting her chin in her palm, she puffed out her breath, letting her carrot red hair flutter around the side of her face. "I wasn't wild."

"You could have made George and me triplets,” he said so dully that Ginny almost let out an amused snort. Fred darted his foot forward, rudely kicking her rolling chair. “Why are you in such a bloody foul mood?"

Ginny gave him her best are-you-serious look and gestured towards the computer. “Did you miss the earlier part of this conversation? Was I talking to myself? Can you help me? Do you know what's wrong with it?”

Fred's eye brows drew together as he turned to lean over the keyboard. Ginny watched him chicken peck a letter on the keyboard, but when it dinged in protest his eyes widened as he leapt back. Raising his hands, as if warding the hardware off, he backed away and said, “I can't help you. This is why we pay you.”

“No, you pay me to handle the clients and their money when they make donations or buy merchandise. I refuse to deal with maximum overdrive over there.”

He simply gave her a pinched, pained expression before letting it go.

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Chapter Two:

Fred perched his arse at the corner of her desk and glanced down at her. “You comin' over for dinner tonight? Angelina's making your favorite!"

Ginny rolled her eyes and stood up. Walking around him, she reached for the tan folder on top of the file cabinet labeled 'Fun Explosions'. "Smooth,” she said, commenting on his non-subtle change in topic.

He ignored her. “Well?”

“Can't. I have a date."

Fred rolled his eyes. "Oh, right.” He paused and took a breath, his mouth dropping open and closed as he tried to think of something to say. Rubbing the back of his neck nervously, he attempted to make conversation on the subject. “With that Brian guy, right?"

A `where-were-you-when-that-was-over' look crossed her face. "He broke up with me, remember? It's that James guy now."

Fred nodded, looking down at her with a quizzical expression, and Ginny couldn't help but think if he had glasses his appearance would be complete.

"Why is it always the guys that break up with you? I'm beginning to worry about my gender. What's wrong with them?"

Ginny snorted with half-hearted laughter and plopped back down into her chair, letting the tan envelope slap against her desk. She stretched her neck, left, right, and then slipped off her shoes, relishing in the feel of the cheap gray carpet itch-rubbing her feet. "More like, what's wrong with me?"

Fred rolled his eyes. "Oh bollocks, Ginny, there's nothing wrong with you." He gave her a skeptical look. “You aren't fishing for compliments are you?”

"No and why don't you tell Eric and Brad that there's nothing wrong with me. Maybe one will come back to me.” She paused for the dramatic effect. “Oh wait, they're together now. As in, I turned them gay!”

Fred tried unsuccessfully to cover his choked laughter by doing fake stretches, twisting at the waist, and then bending to touch his toes, before snapping back up to roll his shoulders. "That was-"

Ginny nodded, her lips pursed in disapproval. "Crazy?” She supplied drolly.

Fred let out a shout of laughter. "Yeah, that was definitely my first time seeing that! At least Malfoy gave you a raise right after. Besides Gin, I'm not entirely sure you can turn someone gay, or anyone else for that matter. You either are or you aren't,” he said, offering her support but failing miserably.

There really was no point in denying the hilarity of the situation. "That raise happened to be the only good thing that happened to me that month, which I was very surprised by."

The seriousness of the atmosphere surrounding Fred happened so quickly, that Ginny almost felt he was suffering from a personality disorder. "You know why he did it, don't you?" Fred asked curiously, leaning towards her.

"Oh, do tell, mister know it all," Ginny said wiggling her eyebrows at what Fred thought was going to be a pretty big scoop from the expression on his face and his hushed tone.

"He's got a soft spot for you. For whatever reason, I don't know.” He shrugged. “He's sweet on you Gin, has been for awhile."

Ginny snorted in disgusted disbelief. "Oh please, I just ate lunch. I'm really not in the mood to lose it," Ginny said, and then paused. "Wait, if I lost it, then this blasted computer would short circuit. If only people wanted to go to the old way of Owling messages again." She turned to Fred. “Quick. Say something to make me blow chunks so I can break this thing.”

"That is just disgusting and it's called `e-mailing.' You are working on what's going to be the future of the wizarding world. Get used to it. End of story."

"I'll get used to it, but I won't like it. I won't ever like it. It's like someone's constantly poking a wand into my eye. It's dreadfully painful. Who could ever learn to like that?"

Fred heaved an irritated sigh. "I'll never understand why you just don't quit. It's obvious you aren't happy here. You don't have to stay for your brothers anymore."

She gave a light hearted grin, wanting to make him feel better. She really needed to stop complaining so much. “Didn't you know? I'm using you for your money!”

“Haha, very funny.”

No, seriously…

“Haven't you heard? Money walks and talks, hell it even has it's own personality when it comes to buying my own paint studio. It's kind of a necessity, ya know?” Ginny said. “Money has it's own postal code, has it's own—”

His expression softened. "You'll do it, Gin, one day.”

Ginny gave him a grateful smile, but refrained in giving him the giant bear hug she wanted to give him. Instead she tilted her chin sideways, her eyes glazed with dreaminess at the idea of owning her own studio. "You're too right. One of these days I'll be able to afford a real art studio.” Her eyes widened with hope and she bounced up and down in her chair. “Maybe in Tuscan. I've heard the beauty never lets up there, that it's a place where old things are considered a thing of magic." Ginny laughed and bit her lip. “I really would like to go there.”

"Keep dreaming, Weasley!"

Ginny stiffened in outrage as soon as the foul voice registered and growled at the curt, slightly hurtful comment. Draco Malfoy was a supreme being of arseholery. If there was an award, he'd win it, hands down.

"Get bent and die, Malfoy." Ginny growled with a ferocity that sometimes took her by surprise when it was directed at him. Maybe it had to do with knowing he wouldn't fire her for that little insult or perhaps it was something she didn't even want to contemplate. Something Fred had hinted on.

He made an inappropriate kissing noise in her direction. "Love you too, Weasley."

Ginny smiled, folding her hands lady like in front of her and tilting her head sweetly to the side. "Yes, well, I love you…” Her voice was gentle and Ginny couldn't help but notice the raise in Malfoy's eyebrow before she really let him have it. “Like I love a hangover!"

He blinked, but the comment wasn't up to par to render him speechless. That ready, semi-fast smirk that made his silvery gray eyes sharpen with challenge and her own stomach clench with something she was just going to ignore focused in on her. As one arm crossed over his chest, the other rested on the top of it, his fingers scratching his chin. "Nice.” He gave her what she considered a sarcastic applause. What a douche bag.

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Chapter Three:

“You know, Weasley, there are times I think you might be Schizophrenic?" Malfoy said.

Fred laughed, too loudly. It boomed and bounced on the surrounding walls. For once Ginny was glad this was a little office she basically ran on her own. The employees she'd spoke of before actually worked in the shop, not here. Of course, Malfoy and the twins had to stop by occasionally since this also happened to be the place, one office over to be exact, where the experiments took place.

"Schizo? Me? Aren't you hilarious? You know, being Schizophrenic is better than being alone… like you!"

"And on that note—" Fred intercepted and slowly started to back away.

Draco sneered. "I'm just tired of all the girls throwing themselves at me. Although, there are some girls I wouldn't mind getting some action from," he said raising an eyebrow suggestively at her.

Ginny frowned. "Okay, just exactly when did I start wearing a shirt that said 'I'm wicked easy' on it? Are you kidding me?"

"Oh wait, you didn't really think I was talking about you, did you? Please, Weasley, don't flatter yourself."

She bared her teeth as her cheeks flushed against her will. Now that she was flustered she had to get them out. "I have work to do." Ginny snipped out, her voice giving away to her irritation.

"Don't let me hold you up."

Ginny gave a tight-lipped smile. "I'm not."

Her heart was racing from the embarrassment, but just as Malfoy started to walk away an idea sparked in her head. “Malfoy?” She called to him loud enough so that he partially turned back towards her, a silver eyebrow raised at the soft seductive tone she'd slipped into her voice.

She quickly pouted her lips at him. “There's not much I wouldn't do to you if you took me to Tuscan.”

Fred's mouth dropped open as his gaze darted back and forth between them. He remained speechless, even as the red that tipped Malfoy's ears spread into his cheeks and neck.

Ha! I got you, you little…

“Really?” Malfoy finally managed and she was only a little upset that his voice sounded so normal.

“But you aren't interested right?”

He raised a finger and his lips moved, almost as if he was about to say something, but decided against it.

Pft. That'll show him!

Her date was going downhill. Actually, it was more like down a mountain of endless pointed rocks continuously jabbing into her spine. For starters, he wasn't the best looking male when he showed up at her door, damn those blind dates, but Ginny knew that looks weren't absolutely everything, so she ignored it. The trip to the dinner had been quiet, even obscenely awkward at times, but Ginny, being the Good Samaritan she was, passed it off as first date jitters.

When he failed to hold the door open to the restaurant, she found herself trying not to be flat out offended. She wondered if he'd been thinking that holding the door open would be considered sexist, an archaic practice. In this day and age, who knew, but first dates didn't apply to those rules. She should write a book. Girl Psych 101: A Guys Guide to Dating Girls. Rule number one: on the first date open doors for the girl.

Of course, the real reason for her anger was probably that she'd assumed he would be a gentleman and hold the door open, so she failed to stop her brisk pace after him, and ran smack into the crystal clear glass door, smudging its spiffy surface.

Yeah, that was probably it.

Although, it turned out that not only was he an anal, self-absorbed, unemployed accountant—how does that happen?—who was looking to reel her into hiring him, but he was also a rude, health food psychotic, tight arsed git. Technically, being a health food nut would be a pro instead of a con, but when she wanted chocolate, she wanted chocolate, health nut be bloody damned.

And how dare he turn his nose up at her for ordering that chocolate cake?

"So I was reading this health book and it said—"

"Well, you know what they say about reading health books, you may die of misprint!" Ginny laughed, trying desperately to lighten the mood, and change the subject, with some form of comedy, smacking her hand against the table for proper sound effects. She quickly stopped when she realized he wasn't laughing.

He stared at her as if she were a fly that had landed in his wine glass before he cleared his throat and spoke, his arrogance a shining spotlight in his downright testiness. "Ah-right, so we should probably calculate the bill. Considering you ate most of the salad with most of the vegetables and cheese, not to mention that horribly fattening chocolate cake you ordered—" He started muttering the rest, whipping out a calculator from his front pocket.

Ginny's eyebrows shot up and her mouth slightly parted as she watched his fingers darting over the calculator. Bloody hell, she thought glancing down at herself and eventually coming to the conclusion that she looked like date material. So clearly, well at least to anyone normal, they would know this was a date, a first date.

Apparently, in that book she planned on writing, she'd already decided on the number two rule of first dates: the man should always pay for the first meal and only on the second meal should the female even consider offering to pay.

And when she said she looked good, she meant it. After all, it was rare for her to compliment herself. Her red hair was twisted up in a somewhat elegant bun, tendrils of hair, that were supposed to cup the sides of her face, tucked behind her ears, and her black, almost sporty dress, she'd come to realize, was a little too tight for this particular date. She was sexy, clean, and stylish…check, check, and check.

What was wrong with this guy?

"So three fourths of the bill is yours," he informed.

Was she, or was she not on a date? Was he really expecting her to pay? Did she waste a whole month's check getting these new stylish clothes so she could then spend hours getting ready only to be treated this way?

She knew she was old fashioned, but his was ridiculous. She could see if it were a third date, even in extreme circumstances a second date, but a first date?

"Just take me away from here," she whispered into her wine glass. Someone was definitely playing a joke on her. It's the only reasonable explanation.

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Chapter Four:

Ginny entered the Burrow with bare feet. Her heels and hose in her hands, and her red windblown hair down, falling wildly around her face, was the evidence of an utterly failed date. She couldn't have made it worse if she'd tried and the minute she walked into the house she knew everyone would know.

The cherry on top that had this date qualifying for the worst date of her life was that he'd tried to kiss her. This rude, genius that he claimed to be, had the gall to try and kiss her.

This was most absolutely the worst date of my life…no contest.

Ginny flinched as she heard a loud crash and knew instantly that the boys had come home for dinner, confirming her fear and settling her embarrassment. "Why me?" She groaned.

They probably would tease her for being home at eight o'clock when she'd only just left two hours ago. She supposed she should be glad that claiming to have the flu bug worked every time, especially for health nuts like James.

"Ginny, maybe you can tell us why Mum has to cry every time we start to leave? She conned us into staying the night! I…” He extended the `I' and then paused for dramatic effect. “Am twenty-three years old, with a magnificently hot girlfriend, and here I am getting ready to sleep in my old bedroom with Harry," Ron hollered rambunctiously at her.

With a tenderness that disappeared as she progressively aged, she gave him a smile, trying to ignore the drowsy tug of gravity against her eyelids. She was thoroughly exhausted.

An evil grin played against her lips as she responded, feeling the tension from a failed date drain away. "Leave her alone. She's going through menopause."

Ron and Harry stared on in horror as Fred and George chuckled. "That's so horrible," Ron said shaking his head. “Why would you say that?”

Ginny shrugged and plopped down into a chair beside Harry. "Well, at least you all have something to look forward to when you reach around the age of forty-five through fifty-five. I mean, male menopause is a lot more fun than female menopause. With female menopause, you gain weight and get hot flashes. With male menopause, you get to date young girls and drive motorcycles."

Harry snorted out his milk through his nose. "She's not bitter," he managed through gasps of laughter.

She leaned towards him and punched him in the arm. "Ewww-a, Harry!"

"Is this the shortest amount of time you've been on a date?" George grinned evilly.

Ginny turned her head and shrugged her shoulders. The tables had been turned, she should've expected this. "I'm lookin' to make a record I'd wager."

"No offense, but I think you've made it." Ron chuckled maniacally.

Ginny raised an eyebrow and leaned forward to punch him in the arm too. "Do you know what he said to me when I told him there basically wasn't a chance in hell I'd kiss him good night? He said `listen; if I wanted any lip from you I would've rattled my zipper.' I haven't a clue what stopped me from punching him right in the nose."

"That sounds like a line I should remember for the next lass, or at least for the ones who believe a single date is a license for marriage." Draco Malfoy smirked in the doorway of the kitchen.

Ginny pouted and slide into the wooden chair so that her hair spilled over the edge, and half of her lower end was closer to the floor as she tried to hide. "Oh no, what are you doing here?"

"Business," Fred and George said in unison, looking a little edgy.

Ginny shifted, sitting straight up, and raised an eyebrow, staring her brothers down. "Why wasn't I aware of this little meeting?" She turned to Malfoy and then it was as if someone had done a patronum on her."Oh God, your firing me aren't you? And you're trying to let my brothers down easily so they don't pummel you right?"

Malfoy scoffed. "I am not firing you. Get a hold of yourself. It isn't always about you."

Ginny took a deep shuddering breath and placed a hand over her heart. "Oh, that's a relief."

"It would probably do you good if Malfoy fired you, Gin," George said glancing up at his boss. "You could start doing what you love to do-paint."

"You can't paint and have the studio and the utensils without money honey!" Ginny paused and frowned at her unintentional rhyme.

Harry just shook his head and stared, blinking in shock occasionally. "I am desperately trying to figure out what planet you're from Gin."

"Says the Boy Who Wouldn't Shut-Up," Ginny said, give her voice an animalistic growl with each word.

"Amen." Malfoy said with a chuckle.

Ginny growled, her eyes narrowing in Malfoy's direction. "Don't side with me, it only makes me angrier."

He smirked and held his hands up in surrender.

Ginny stood up to drop her shoes in the corner of the kitchen as she headed towards the fridge, searching for Pumpkin Juice. She took a huge swig out of the carton and turned, leaving the door wide open as she glared at Malfoy.

Malfoy sighed heavily."Oh, I am so glad I decided to call it quits with the 'family' war between our families."

Ginny snorted and gave an obscene gesture before commenting. "Inserting sarcasm here."

Malfoy rolled his eyes, letting out another sigh. "Fred, George—shall we?"

"And Ginny is the winner!" She cried triumphantly, shaking her arms enough to spill a bit of the Pumpkin Juice.

Malfoy turned gave her a slight nod, with one of those stupid smiles. "Don't let it get to your head, Gin."

Ginny scowled as they left the room and continued to do so as she trotted back to her chair.

Stupid Malfoy!

"You know, Gin, I would have expected you to accept this little 'truth' between the Malfoy's by now. I mean if I can get past it, why can't you?" Ron asked. "Even Harry has learned to accept it."

Ginny slammed her fist into the table. "The bloody prat just knows how to push my buttons the wrong way."

"Everyone knows how to push your buttons." Harry mumbled under his breath.

It really wasn't some guarded secret. All the same…

"Do you want me to smack you in the back of the head?" Ginny said trying to hold back a grin.

"Violence will get you nowhere."

"Here, here." Ron declared, scooting out of Ginny's reach.

"I wish I had a sister." Ginny grumbled longingly. “She'd understand.”

"Speaking of girls, have you ever thought about trying the same sex?" Harry commented as if it were the most casual thing in the world.

Ginny sputtered, her juice sloshing over the brim of her cup. "What?"

"I was looking through the Muggle ads—"

"You were looking for someone? You?" Ginny cried in disbelief.

"I wanted to go out with someone that didn't know me and didn't hang on every word just because I'm Harry Potter. Besides, Ginny, I know you pretty well and there's this girl in here that sounds like a perfect match. Just listen; she owns a famous art gallery-"

Ginny shifted towards him, trying not to let him know he'd caught her attention. “Which one?"

"That would take away the anonymous factor of personal ads that sparks the interest in the first place. It's the later stuff that snags the person to an individual."

"Fine, fine." She flipped a dismissive hand at him.

"As I was saying she owns a famous art gallery, but it also says she's a fan of Quidditch, which considering that this is a Muggle paper is pretty significant, you wouldn't have to worry about hiding the fact that you're a witch. Her favorite quote is "The painter makes real to others his/her innermost feelings about all that he/she cares for. A secret becomes known to everyone who views the picture through the intensity with which it is felt," by Lucien Freud. She didn't give a name though, I suppose she's going for full anonymity," Harry paused and lifted an eyebrow as he stared at Ginny. "Well, you seem slightly interested."

Ginny flinched and then quickly shook her head. "What? No, not even a little bit."

Harry shrugged and glanced over at Ron. "Fine," he said casually, "but if you do decide to do it, don't give any revealing information about you-I'd say just go with your first name and meet in a crowded place. Remember, females are better serial killers than males."

"Gee, thanks Harry, for thinking I'm completely incompetent, but I'm not going to do it anyway." She informed them, adding in a little chin tilt for defiance.

Harry dropped the paper in front of her and whispered something in Ron's ear, which caused him to hastily stand and leave the room.

“Think about it.” Harry added. “This could be why you've been unsuccessful. Maybe you're looking at the wrong gender.”

She watched him go and sighed. Ginny liked men, in fact she loved men, she'd never even thought about a girl though.

Ginny clucked her tongue and reached for the paper. "Hmm." She let her eye skim of the black ink as she glanced over it. "I guess it couldn't hurt."

She nibbled her bottom lip as she wrote down the girls address. "We could meet at the Three Broomsticks."

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Marinka is a fabulous person for betaing this chapter! *_-

Chapter Five:

Great, this was great! Now all she needed was vintage robot porn and she'd be set.

Another date from hell, that really shouldn't be called a date. The technological driven geek in front of her had an estranged passion for vintage, robots, and family. He was already talking of how perfect she was for him, on how many children they should adopt. Had they been dating for a few years it would've been okay. It was another first date for the records. Number ten, in the book she was going to write, was: Talk of spawning children is unacceptable first date conversation material.

Snickering at her thoughts, she bit her lip and leaned her elbows against the wooden table top, pretending to feign interest, until she heard adoption. She promptly interrupted him, not sure if she'd managed to follow as well as she'd thought. “I'm sorry, what?”

He then proceeded to explain, with underhanded compliments included, why they should adopt kids. He couldn't possibly allow her slammin' body to become stretched, fat, and ugly, besides, he already had to deal with her massive amount of freckles… the absolute horror! Ginny was two seconds away from sticking her foot die-rectly up his arse.

Die-rectly.

Her eyes crossed as he continued on about how disgusting pregnant women were and when she attempted to cut him off, he simply ignored the hand she'd raised. If only her mum was with them now.

Doing the only thing she could think of, she slammed her hands on the table. "…and then we can adopt a junkie!" Ginny cried out with happy exaggeration. His insane rant about what her life was going to be like with him promptly ending.

Her mouth lifted at one corner in satisfaction and to hide it she reached for her wine glass, wrapping her index finger and thumb around the stem, circling the red bubbling liquid at the base of the cup before bringing it to her nose, inhaling the sweet smell before placing the cool glass against her lips.

"Would you lower your voice?” he asked, sounding truly horrified.

Ginny paused before taking a sip and raised an eyebrow as she lifted her gaze. He not only sounded horrified, he looked it.

Wait a bloody second…

“You're embarrassing me! Ginny, I am talking about our future here and if you aren't going to take it more seriously, then I'm afraid you'll just have to leave." Michael growled, his greasy pimpled face starting to show a slow flush of red at his increasing anger.

Oh hell no.

Her chest burned with brewing anger. If she hadn't known better she would've chalked it up as heartburn, but she was safely planted in reality. And she was livid. While she placed her drink back onto the surface of the table she'd been pushing her chair back. The legs of the metal chair screeched along the glossy black tile of the floor and when she went to stand it almost flipped backwards from the force she exerted.

How had she found the douche of all douche bags? He was worse than that jobless accountant. Though how you can be an accountant and be jobless was beyond her.

"You're embarrassing yourself!” Her voice was sharp and clear, but an unintentional growl escaped her throat as she continued. “This date is so over."

Grabbing her black sparkling clutch she turned swiftly, only to knock her nose into the muscular chest of man in a long, rich gray robe with intricately sown detailing, and loafers that oozed money. Clearly this guy had it.

Ginny grunted, catching herself on the table as she bounced off that well defined chest. “Oh, excuse me-” She started, slowly lifting her eyes.

"Did someone call for a knight in shining armor?”

Her gaze faltered on his lips as he spoke. He was so close to her that she could smell the sweet Mascato and chocolate on his breath. She cocked her head to the side as she focused on those utterly perfect peach pale lips. She wanted to suck them into her mouth, nibble them until that peach color turned red. Her face was no longer flushed red with anger, but a surprising need that burned through her stomach to her groin.

She lifted her hand, fanning her face as she continued her mild sexual fantasy that started with her biting that lower lip and ended with some gentle sucking between his legs. Ginny released a bout of breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding when her eyes met his. Gray. His eyes were gray and suddenly her knees were weak, but luckily she was still leaning against the sturdy table behind her.

“Um, Ginny?”

She scowled as the voice invaded her, pulling her attention. Don't bother me! I'm having a sexual fantasy. Her thoughts were pleading as she reached a hand forward to touch his chest. She'd never acted this way before and had she been conscious of her movements she would've been mortified.

One of his large hands came forward and grabbed hers tightly, stopping her movement, but it was only when an amused chuckle vibrated his chest that she totally stiffened with realization. In that instant she didn't know what angered her more, the fact that she would go home and masturbate to thoughts of Draco Malfoy or that the thought itself wasn't enough to stop her.

She sniffed and angled her chin upward, furious that her heart was beating so rapidly. "Malfoy, what are you doing here?"

“Letting you feel me up apparently. I hadn't realized I did it for you that way,” he said with a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

Oooh. She could just spit. She wanted to scream and stomp with outrage. No, what she really wanted was a time turner. How could she have reacted that way to-to-to him!

He raised an eyebrow challenging her to say differently. But Merlin, she couldn't. It'd been so obvious.

“Excuse me, sir? My date-”

Ginny raised her hand and sliced it through the air, cutting Michael off instantly. “No.”

“But-”

“Absolutely not!” she said, never looking at him as her eyebrows rose up her forehead, praying he wouldn't continue.

She really would rather be with Malfoy than deal with this bugger again.

“I was just leaving, would you like a ride?" It wasn't his normal condescending tone Ginny noticed. Draco Malfoy was actually being nice to her…in front of people.

Ginny quickly glanced up, making sure she wasn't in hell and it hadn't frozen over. When she realized she was still in the rather expensive restaurant Michael had insisted on, she dropped her gaze away from the ceiling. She took a breath and opened her mouth about to tell him where he could shove his ride, but stopped.

He was really serious. She knew it before, but the confirmation of his sharp aristocratic features not laughing or scowling at her made her rethink. He wasn't making fun of her, or playing jokes, or being mean, so she found herself nodding slowly. A ride with him would be better than walking home.

He ruined everything by smugly offering her his arm. That stupid pleased expression, like he'd won some battle. She scoffed at him and walked haughtily past him with a "yeah right, loser," following quickly after.

Ginny pretended not to hear the tired sigh he let out behind her.

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Chapter Six:

The frigid, bitingly wet and cold wind reared its vicious head as she swung the door open. It stole her breath away and her lungs tightened as they attempted to adjust to the ever dropping temperature. She found herself wishing once more that she'd purchased a cheaper dress. If she had she would've been able to afford that matching slink that had gone with the little black number. There was no way she could've worn her ragged flannel hand me down courtesy of Ron. Even a fancy slink would've been a better barrier than nothing.

Her teeth chattered and she quickly rubbed her hands frantically up and down her biceps, creating friction. Ginny hoped Malfoy hadn't come on a broom. She really didn't think he was that daft.

When he came out a few seconds later she braced herself for him to say something equally as moronic as usual. When nothing came, she swiveled her head around to look at him, not caring that her free flowing hair caught the wind and swept behind her.

Her voice caught in her throat as her gaze collided with those intense gray eyes, eyes she'd always admired. It wasn't just today, so really it was no big deal if she stared just a little longer. He seemed dazed as he continued to stand still, watching her. Eventually he shook his head and rapidly blinked his eyes, effectively breaking the moment. He quickly shrugged out of his clearly expensive jacket and walked forward to lay it across her shoulders.

She jerked away. “What the hell are you doing?”

“You don't have a jacket.”

She wiggled her shoulders, letting the woolen material drop into her hand and she handed it back to him. “Don't be weird.”

“I'm sorry,” he said, crinkling his eyebrows with disbelief. “How is this weird? Isn't it common for a man to offer his jacket on a cold night to a beautiful woman?”

She had the odd desire to melt into a puddle on the floor, that or punch the day lights out of him. So instead, considering she could do neither, she did the safe thing and rolled her eyes before turning away.

He made a moving forward gesture with his hands as he walked up beside her. Her stomach sank when his shoulder brushed against her bare one and she dipped her chin into her chest, turning her head away from him.

Why was he acting like this?

“Shall we?”

Ginny bobbed her head, suddenly wishing she had a mint to lubricate the inside of her dry mouth. Out of the corner of her eye she watched Malfoy move forward into the street and she followed behind him.

"Considering I'm being a generous knight and shining chauffeur tonight the polite thing to do would be to show some gratitude and have a nice conversation with me." She heard him call back to her.

“If you go into another monologue then you can just throw that idea out the window.”

Malfoy chuckled and Ginny hissed through her teeth at the guttural depth of it. It had been way too long since she'd last had sex. It must have been if she was considering this demon. It was when he let out another laugh that Ginny really had the urge to clench her legs.

"What's so funny?" she said through gritted teeth as she trotted behind him.

“Nothing, absolutely nothing!”

Ginny frowned as she watched Malfoy lift a hand. Resting in his palm was a tiny black box with buttons. When his finger pushed one of the buttons she heard a loud triple beep and instantly the black car she'd stopped behind roared to life. Letting out a tiny 'eep' of surprise, she jumped away from the possessed vehicle.

"It's called a BMW—Muggle contraption."

Ginny scowled as she examined the obviously expensive black and silver car. "So it doesn't fly then? Clearly it's not fully Muggle, otherwise it wouldn't have started on its own."

He let a soft smile spread across his face as he watched her get close enough to touch the exterior of his car. "It didn't start on its own. I just pushed a button.”

Ginny tsked her tongue with irritation and rolled her eyes. “What are you doing with a Muggle contraption anyway? You are the most anti-Muggle I've ever known.” Clearly a lie, because there was always his father and-and…she let her thought trail off, not really wanting to go there.

"Would you like to get in and find out why I have a Muggle made vehicle?" He walked towards one of the doors and slowly opened it for her, motioning her forward.

She looked at him skeptically. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

“Uh,” he said, his eyebrows connecting as he looked at her with confusion.

“Are you having impotency issues?”

He blinked rapidly. “What?”

“Impotency issues,” she said. “They say men, at a certain time in there life, compensate with shiny toys. This is very shiny.”

If he'd been normal, he would've screeched to a halt with a sput-sput-sputtering. She'll give him credit though; he only let her comment rattle him for a second before responding, with his body first. He took a large step forward, bringing himself so close Ginny had to bend backwards over the vehicle for space. Her breath caught and her eyes widened when he reached a hand forward and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ears. He let his thumb and the knuckles of his hand caress her cheek before pulling away.

“I'm up for an experiment if you are.”

She about died. She was half-dead from before, but now, now she could've just been called. Time of death, 9:45, cause of death, heart failure.

When was it that Malfoy started having this effect on her? Maybe it was just tonight, just in the way he was dressed, the way he moved… it had to be the environment. It was night time at a fancy restaurant that was known for its multiple wines and champagnes. She'd only had a glass, but Malfoy had completed his meal.

She leaned towards him and sniffed as he breathed on her. He'd definitely been drinking. He raised an eyebrow and smirked down at her. “Was that a weird, oddly erotic way of saying yes to me, Weasley?”

His hands were braced against the car on either side of her hips, caging her in. “In your dreams.” Her whisper was hoarse and she knew that he knew, in the moment that his eyes sparkled, that he'd affected her.

Out of her peripheral vision she watched his hand lift from the car and go to encircle her waist. The movement caused her to jump slightly, but enough that she collided with his chest. He kept her close as he whispered back to her dangerously close to her lips. “You have no idea.”

Ginny licked her lips and swallowed before turning sideways in the direction towards the passenger door, hoping he'd get the message. She needed him to stop. He was playing, most likely, but it was just seemingly too real to her in that moment. Her heart was in her throat as she waited for him to move.

He seemed to sway forwards like she was having some sort of magnetic pull on him and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her cheek, but he pulled away. He quickly went to the passenger side, holding the door open for her.

Ginny gave him a tight lipped smile before sliding in, the black leather of the interior creaking slightly as she settled on the seat. When Malfoy shut the door she slouched with relief and slammed a hand to her chest. She only allowed her self a few seconds to recuperate before she fiddled with straightening her wind blown carrot red hair. Her fingers twitched, dying to pull down the visor and glance in the mirror at her make up, but she stopped herself.

She didn't have to look good for Malfoy.

So instead of giving in to that itch she inhaled sharply wanting to take a calming breath, but was rudely torn out of that potential calm state when she smelled him all over the car.

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Chapter Seven:

"I thought you despised Muggles." Ginny spoke once he finally got in the car and sat down.

Malfoy didn't answer right away as he warmed his hands in front of the heater. It was almost as if he were deciding how to word things. "I don't despise them; some of them are very brilliant. Michelangelo, Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Frost…Dolly Parton.” He seemed to add as an afterthought, giving her a slightly bemused look. “I just disagree with mixing our DNA."

"I'm not totally Muggle illiterate. Dolly Parton is a country singer. What's so great about her other than her songs are good? I'm not completely ignorant on Muggle culture."

"She said something, once upon a time, that really stuck with me.”

“Oh?” Ginny prompted wanting him to continue more than she'd liked to have admitted.

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose. It's so simple really, but I'd heard it at a time where I just wasn't myself. Father was telling me what to do, who to be,” he paused, his expression darkening as he turned towards her, “who to stay away from.”

“Was that your sixth year?”

He gave a tight nod, but it was clear he didn't want to talk about it and normally that wouldn't have mattered to her. She didn't do what he wanted, not ever, but this was a topic even she didn't want to discuss. She knew very well what had happened.

"You're right. It is a good saying, but I have a better one,” she said with a smile as she wiggled in her seat and reached for the seatbelt.

He turned towards her with a smooth smile washing over his features. “Naturally!”

"Love is always patient and kind.” He raised an eyebrow and the smile he'd been sporting vanished. “It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and it is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end."

That atmosphere changed and the minimal air in the vehicle seemed to thicken as his eyes darted back and forth over her face. She didn't know what she'd said, but clearly it had done something. "It's from the Bible.” She offered, with a light laugh. The seriousness was getting to her. “Corinthians if I remember."

He cleared his throat. “And why were you reading the Bible?”

"It was Hermione's when she was little. Before she found out she was a witch, she'd read it all the time, but after a while she felt like she was doing blasphemy or something-I can't quite remember how she worded it-so she stopped. I was helping her pack a few things one day and the gold lettering on the cover just caught my eye. I opened it to that very page. It made me realize how badly I want to love and be loved in return. Not right now, of course, but soon.d”

"Hmm.” His noncommittal noise followed the most uncomfortable silence yet.

She needed to itch. Itch everywhere. No. She needed to get out of dodge. This was all too intense. And it was with Malfoy. Where had her quick sarcastic retorts gone? Oh right, Michael had stolen them all with his spiel on vintage porn and robots.

“I asked Hermione who God was.” It was the only thing she could think to say to stop this awkwardness.

“What did she say?”

“She said God can do anything, that God was everywhere, knew everything, and was kind, but stern. I said God reminded me a lot of Dumbledore and then…” Ginny stopped as she noticed Malfoy's grip on the steering wheel tighten to the point that his knuckles turned white.

She'd even tried avoiding that subject early, but there she was, successfully placing her foot in her mouth. “I-um-I'm sorry.” She surprised herself by saying.

He shrugged nonchalantly and finally shifted the gear into reverse. “You don't have to apologize.”

They didn't say or do anything else until he'd left the parking lot and was zooming at high speeds down a dimly lit street. She decided she needed something to do before she ended up screaming from the uncomfortable silence.

She leaned down, grabbing her bag. She scrounged around looking for something, anything to get her mind off of this weird atmosphere between them, but she noticed too late that inside that' little piece of fortune' aka the clutch she shouldn't have bought, was the newspaper ad Harry had given her. And in big, black bold letters were the words "female wanting female."

Originally, she'd thought it was a perfect place to put it. She had to put the mini-clutch to good use after all. Ginny shifted the piece of paper, hoping he hadn't happened to glance over when the ad was so clearly readable. But the slight movements coming from where Malfoy was driving let her know he'd seen some of it.

"Hey…" Malfoy started.

Ginny jerked her eyes up, seeing him looking down at the obscurely hidden ad that she'd wanted to keep secret from everyone. "Did I say you could look at it?" She was down right outraged and horribly embarrassed… once again, in two nights, right in front of Draco bleedin' Malfoy.

He lifted his fingers, balancing his palms against the steering wheel. "Okay, okay I surrender!" he said, but not before trying to sneak another peek.

Ginny slapped her thigh with irritation. "Why won't you do what I say?"

Malfoy paused to give her that slow smile that always made her feel weird, especially tonight. "Where's the fun in that?"

Ginny growled and folded her arms across her chest. Though she acted angry she was slightly relieved to be back on familiar ground with him. "Fine, I'm not talking to you anymore!"

"O-okay." He frowned glancing quickly back and forth between her and the road.

"Don't 'o-okay' me mister!" She scolded, hoping he would try and say something snide or equally annoying.

His eyes widened. "I thought you weren't talking to me anymore?" he asked.

"I'm not!"

"Then what was that?"

"Shut up!"

"I didn't do anything!" Malfoy growled, getting irritated with his confusion and her psychotic personality.

"Oh-oh-oh just… like…you know…just being you is enough.” She cringed as she stumbled over her words.

"Why do you hate me so much? Haven't we gotten past that 'I was a bastard to you and yours at Hogwarts' deal?" he asked, appearing honestly curious.

No. What had he done? They'd been getting back on track, back to the normalcy of bantering and being overly mean to each other. Why did he have to change things?

Ginny shrugged and folded her arms over her chest. "Do you really want me to run down the list?"

"Yes."

Stop it! She wanted to scream it at him, but the honesty in his voice, on his face, made her resolve crumple. "Malfoy," she said, speaking a little softer than intended, "it's not that I hate you. You just know how to push my buttons I guess. I mean sometimes just looking at you ticks me off. And it's not only that." Her voice caught in her throat. Was she going to tell him that she liked their bantering?

Malfoy smirked. "One of these days, I'm going to push the right buttons and you'll be…" He stopped, seeming to catch himself, like he hadn't wanted to say too much.

"And I'll be what?"

He shook his head, "Never mind."

"See,” she said, gasping with exasperation, “that pisses me off! You just piss me off! So let's just stop talking, is that alright with you?"

"Fine," Malfoy agreed, keeping his eyes straight ahead.

"Merlin, you really burn me up!" Ginny growled.

Malfoy choked.

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"You really burn me up." - Happily Ever After (Snow White Continuation)

The other quotes that I name in the text were in the movie A Walk to Remember.

“A good piece of real estate,” Shania Twain - Gonna Getcha Good (a quote I may have taken out with the revisions, but I'll keep it in here to be safe).

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Chapter Eight:

Draco sighed with longing while he watched her hips sway side-to-side as she walked up the sidewalk to her home. Something had happened tonight, something he was almost afraid to think. She'd felt desire for him. She'd wanted him in that restaurant and it had confused her. That was as far as he'd let himself go though. Too long he'd hopped for a reaction like that, he wasn't about to over analyze it now without more evidence.

He planned on telling her eventually, how he felt about her. He'd almost done it tonight during that last silence, but then he noticed that female-seeking-female in her knock-off hand bag and his heart sank. He knew Ginny better than almost anyone. He'd watched her in school, admiring her strength and bravery, the way she dealt with everyone forgetting her. Or at least that's how she'd viewed, but Draco knew better, because Ginny was the most unforgettable person he'd ever met.

Her spitfire personality, her gorgeous body, and her pixie shaped face haunted his dreams for years. The first time it had happened was when she'd Bat-Boogey hexed him. That was the night he'd woken up and given himself the best self-produced orgasm of his life. He'd give the better half of his soul to be between her legs, to have her thighs clenching around his head, pulling him into her. She was the type of woman he would beg to go down on.

It sickened him sometimes, the things he was willing to do for her yet she didn't even notice. Like that large raise when she found out her boyfriend was dating her ex-boyfriend. Merlin, she had him wrapped around her finger and all she had to do was give the go ahead to light her world on fire, but she was so damned stubborn.

“Someday.” He whispered the promise into the night as he watched her shooing him away before she shut the front door.

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Ginny moaned happily, sliding her cotton nightshirt over her freshly bathed body before heading towards the bed. She was so tired, not sure if it had been from the horrendous date, or being with Malfoy, but all she wanted to do was curl up under her toasty warm blankets and sleep. Unfortunately, when she finally did get into that slightly cooler than she wanted bed, all she could see was Malfoy.

The previous thoughts she'd entertained in the restaurant when she first had seen him crossed her mind again. She swallowed, tentatively dropping her hand against her stomach, feeling the burn spread through her lower half as his face filled her mind. She exhaled, clenching the fabric of her nightgown as her eyelids drifted shut. Remembering the feel of his breathe against her cheek as he'd caged her between his arms, she slowly shifted the white cotton material up.

Ginny bit her bottom lip and dropped her shoulder as she slipped her hand under her satin knickers. She released a soft anticipatory moan as her cool hand settled against her pubic bone. Sliding her hand down she knew she wasn't going to last long as image after image of his stupid sexy face flashed behind her eyelids.

Knock, knock.

She jerked her hand out and sat up, flustered at the interruption.

“Ginny, dear?”

Her mouth dropped open in mortification as she looked at the door, where just beyond her mum stood. Could her life get any worse? “Yes Mum?” Her voice was hoarse and her face flamed. The flush was spreading to her neck and chest and she only hoped she'd be able to forget this dreaded night.

“How was your date dear?”

“Unsuccessful.”

There was a mock disappointed sigh, but Ginny knew what was coming next. “There's always Harry.” Molly offered so happily it made Ginny feel guilty for rolling her eyes.

“Mum, we tried. It didn't work.”

“I know, but…”

Ginny tried to control the anger in her voice and luckily managed to change it to exasperation. “Mum, please. I'm really tired. I've had a long night.”

“Fine. Sweet dreams my love.”

“I love you too,” she said, giving a smile to the door even though Molly couldn't see it.

Ginny held in her excited squeal and hurriedly shifted back down underneath the covers, anticipating the feel of what was to come. This time she didn't take her time pushing her hand underneath her knickers, but just as she was about to start…

Knock, knock.

“Mum!”

“Not Mum. Ron!”

Fuck!

Knock, knock, knock.

“Are you gonna let me in?” He called impatiently through the door.

“What do you want, Ron?”

“I've gotta talk to you about something. It's about Luna. You know, Luna Lovegood. It's really important Ginny.”

He said it like she didn't know who his girlfriend was.

She let out a frustrated scream and yanked the blankets over her head. “Just kill me now.” She mumbled into the white sheets before reaching over towards her night stand and grabbing her wand to unlock the door. “It's open.”

She scowled as Ron came in and shut the door. It was official. Her family members were cock blockers. Well, technically pussy blockers. She growled at thought. She just wanted a bloody orgasm so she wouldn't look at Malfoy differently tomorrow. But when Ron sat down, she knew this would be awhile from the serious look on his face.

It's going to be a long day at work tomorrow.

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Chapter Nine:

The universe was definitely against her having an orgasm.

If that wasn't enough, Malfoy was starting to make more than just cameo appearances in her dreams and now Ron was using her as a free therapist and guide to the Looney Lovegood. Her mum still wouldn't stop nagging her about finally settling down. Ginny couldn't win. She wanted to yank her hair out… or successfully change genders. Men had it way easier!

Or so she thought until that night Ron had interrupted her. Forever stuck in an never ending hell pit of relationship follies and there her brother was complaining because he had a perfect life with a perfect girlfriend trying to move things into the serious zone. Luna wanted to take the next step in their relationship, so she brought a toothbrush and a simple nightgown over to Ron's flat, two normal things that couples eventually do in relationships, and he practically had a coronary trying to figure out what she wanted.

“Woe is me,” she mumbled out loud, but inside was screaming because while her brother was off boinking his perfect girlfriend, she was about to do something she shouldn't all for the sake of sex and a connection. Something Ron seemed to take for granted. “Men really do have it easier,” she said, scratching her sweating palm.

She was standing in front of A Shot of Espresso, pacing the front entrance with a heavy heart and stomach that protested her lunch every time she took a step closer to the quaint little coffee shop. Ginny had suggested a different meeting place, but the female from the ad she answered insisted on meeting here. Ginny had to acknowledge the woman's taste though. A Shot of Espresso was the best in town. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and scones could be smelled from miles away and if one went shopping in the store next door, the hissing sound of the frothy espresso machines could coax any potential customer.

Inhaling sharply, she took the last remaining steps forward, reached forward, and pushed through the door. The dinging of the bell sounded and the different blends of coffee and bakery goods assaulted her sense.

Ginny immediately bypassed the racks of specialty coffees, mugs, and chocolate covered espresso beans, and plopped down at the brown table nearest to the door. She quickly mapped her escape route… the very reason she'd come a little early. She'd learned her lesson. Always have an escape plan. This particular plan required running. Fast.

She bit her lip and nervously tapped her fingernails against the small circular table with green trimming decorating the edges. Why am I doing this? Why? Do I really need sex this bad, bad enough to get it from a woman?

"Yes!" Ginny cried out, pounding her fist against the table. Her face flushed with embarrassment when she noticed an elderly couple whispering harshly to each other, casting scared glances at Ginny, before they both nudged each other up and towards the other end of the room.

How mortifying. She even scared old couples. If only they knew what she'd been thinking. Sex, sex, and more sex, but it wasn't only about the sex. It was the connection. It was that moment that made her remember why the hell she was here. She needed something to remind her why she put so much effort into anyone let alone the opposite sex.

Renewed hope for humanity coming right up… please? Please.

She glanced at the door waiting for the bell to signify a new customer had come. When no one came she smoothed her black handkerchief skirt and adjusted her pine green cowl neck halter-top. She'd been told, once upon a time by a potential love interest, that her slender, freckled back and shoulders had been such a turn on for him that the first time she'd worn something like that he had to go take care of business in the bathroom so he wouldn't be premature if they decided to have sex. He especially liked her red coppery hair curled and partially up, and today she wanted to take all the stops.

Ginny remembered saying something along the lines of how a good man was hard to find, but a hard man was the best find. He'd laughed and told her he loved her, at that point they'd been dating for two weeks, and it felt a little rushed. She should have known that the minute she put out it would be down hill. The next day she went to his flat to find him slamming into a blonde model with flawless skin and a smaller build than her.

Thank goodness for protection spells.

While he'd hurt her on a level perhaps even she hadn't known, that didn't make him any less wrong about what she looked good in. And she did look good right now.

Bells chimed as the door opened and Ginny flinched as her gut tightened with nausea. She dropped her head in her hands and peaked through the crevices of her fingers at the door. The mild relief she felt at seeing two men instead of one woman was fleeting, because it was Harry and Draco Malfoy.

"Holy shit," Ginny whispered. Unable to contain her whimper, she propped her elbows on the table, fully covering her face, praying they didn't see her.

Don't see me, don't see me, don't-

"Ginny, is that you? You look brilliant!" Harry called out as he casually walked towards her.

She dropped her head to the table, giving herself enough time to realize how much it looked like a circular chocolate bar, before knocking her forehead repeatedly against the hard surface. Who cared about brain damage in this day and age?

"Uh-"

"I'm in hell." She growled, still pounding her head on the table. She heard a snort and then felt a cool hand suddenly forming a barrier between her head and the hard surface.

"Har-” she stopped when she realized who it really was. “What do you think you're doing? Malfoy, do not touch me! "

Draco sneered down at her. "This coffee shop doesn't belong to you. Lucky we happened about too, I'd say. I do have a vested interest in you not becoming a vegetable."

Narrowing her eyes, she lifted her chin defiantly. Though she didn't want him here, she might as well take advantage of the situation. "Malfoy, I need to borrow your BW in three days."

He raised his stupidly perfect blonde eyebrow, "my BMW?"

"You know that Muggle contraption."

He threw his head back in laughter. Ginny frowned as Harry joined him. Her confusion deepened when they both continued until they were holding their stomachs, bent over, gasping for breath.

"Gin, you don't know how to drive." Harry finally managed around his obscene hackling.

"Is that why it's funny?"

"Not a bit." Malfoy put in, lifting his face to hers and smiling so brightly she felt she needed sunglasses. He turned to Harry. "Crisis next week then," he said to Harry, who started up again.

"No crisis next week, Malfoy, my schedule's already full thank you," Ginny said in such a perfect monotone that even a tone-deaf would be pleased.

Malfoy gave her that smile again, the one that dropped her heart into the tips of her toes and made her thighs clench. What a git! It was such a lame joke—hey, she could admit it's lameness—that he shouldn't have even graced it with a smile much less that particular one.

Ginny shifted in her seat, her folded arms slipping from her chest to her stomach, and scowled as Malfoy's eyes shifted up and own the length of her face. From his cocky expression, he knew what that smile did to the female population too. Her fingers folded, balling into a fist. She wanted to punch that smirk off his mouth.

She could feel his eyes on her like a pair of hands, running up and down. Ginny, in that moment was hyper aware of how she was dressed and her pulse raced as he seemed to pause at her exposed legs. This jerk… he was not going to make her angry before meeting this woman.

Did he have to bite his lip like that? She just knew he was going to do something to piss her off.

"I'll be happy to drive you where ever you'd like to go." His tone was soft, but he may as well have shouted at her for the way she responded to it. It was as if he was compelling her to get up and help him bite that lip. As if!

"O-oh,” Ginny said.

Well, she'd been going for more of a classy retort really.

“What are we talking about?” she asked, denying the urge to clear her head with a shake, but the deliciously amused laugh from Malfoy did the job just fine.

“You said you needed to borrow my car. I'll be happy to drive you wherever you want to go,” Malfoy said.

She didn't know what else to say. He was being nice to her again, what could she say? Man, this was so weird. "Okay. I'll um-I'll owl you."

His eyes twinkled with triumph and he gave a small nod. "We should be going. Enjoy your date."

"Yeah, um,” she said and scowled instantly. Did she have to sound like a breathless loser? "Hey, where are you both off to?"

"The Minister of Magic is having a small dinner party for close friends." Harry supplied before heading towards the counter to put in his order.

Ginny nodded. "I understand Harry, but why you Malfoy?"

Draco shrugged, not taking offense. "Probably needs to borrow money."

When Harry came back with both his and Malfoy's order Ginny couldn't hide the gleeful smile as she watched Malfoy's lustful, anticipatory stare he gave his iced drink, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. When his tongue darted out to capture a taste, his helpless moan was enough to make even a child think his obsessions with sweets was cute. Ginny chuckled slightly, thinking is abnormal attachment to sweets was the one appealing thing he had going for him.

Ginny was still shaking her head, smiling wildly as she watched them leave with Malfoy clutching his drink like it was a key to heaven. And two minutes after they left the bell chimed again. Ginny almost forgot to be nervous, but when she saw the tall brunette woman with long legs and flawless skin enter, she had a feeling her time was up and her hands started to shake.

The clutter of the workers and steaming coffee machines couldn't dim the sound the gulp Ginny let out. It had to be her, because in order for the girl to be somewhat normal looking Ginny would've had to be rather lucky. Now, she'd have to worry about hiding her envy at the woman's looks and make sure she didn't stumble on her words or her feet.

Hey, at least she's not ugly, Ginny thought to herself before scoffing. No, she just had to be so beautiful it hurt. Ginny knew then that this wasn't going to work.

This woman was way out of her league. This woman probably didn't even know the meaning of the terms knock-off designer or hand-me downs. If this woman was shiny gold then Ginny was dirty copper.

Ginny needed a plausible excuse to skedaddle, so when she glanced at the clock and noted that the woman was ten minutes late, she knew she had her out. Setting a stony expression, Ginny watched as the girl paused in her tracks, her body turning partially towards her as the woman's caramel colored eyes widened slightly as she examined Ginny, taking in her appearance, inch by inch. Ginny clenched her jaw and quickly averted her gaze. Ginny didn't need to see the disappointment in her eyes. She pushed her chair out and got up to leave.

"Gin?" The breathy, feminine voice called out to Ginny like fingers trying to turn her around, but she managed to resist, until she felt a smooth hand tap her bare shoulder.

"Are you Gin?"

Defeated, she turned, but not before wiping her sweaty palms against her skirt. Here goes nothing.

"Ny-Ginny," she corrected.

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Chapter ten:

The appreciative gleam in the other woman's eyes as she scanned down the length of Ginny's body was unexpected.

"Gin-ny," the woman repeated, her gaze continuing down with a raised eyebrow. Her gaze paused at Ginny's chest and the woman's lips parted. She licked her lips when she got to Ginny's hips and she forgot to breathe when the wind from outside ruffled Ginny's skirt, exposing her upper thighs.

Ginny cleared her throat and rubbed her hands over her bare shoulders. “You know, if you were a guy I might consider punching you.”

The woman's eyes snapped up with surprise. Her cheeks flushed. “Sorry. I just didn't expect-um-” when her hands cupped the air as if she were holding Ginny's breasts Ginny scoffed and folded her arms across her chest. “Ginny,” the female began again. “Wow,” her gaze started dropping again, “you are very, very—” The female stopped entirely this time and lifted her scowling puzzled gaze back to Ginny's face. “Hey, do I know you? You look awfully familiar.”

Okay. Not something she expected after being sexually molested through ogling, but fine. She'd play that game.

"You know, I thought the same thing when I first saw you, well aside from the fact that your dress suit looks just like mine, the one I have at home in my palace. I'll bet we even shop at the same stores,” Ginny said with a little more sarcasm than she anticipated.

The female noticed it too. She responded with a raised eyebrow, curving lips, and a shrug. “I'm not judging you on your financial status, I'd appreciate the same.”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “Cause what's to judge? It's very clear your expensive taste with your legs for days…” Ginny stopped, her eyes widening slightly at her slip up.

She'd been staring at the woman's legs and now everyone knew. Ginny dropped her chin into her shoulder.

“You like my legs, huh?” the woman asked, sounding happier than Ginny would've liked. “Well I like everything on you and you can barely tell your outfit is second hand, so—”

Ginny's mouth dropped in outrage. She held her hand up, stopping the woman in mid-sentence. “I am leaving.”

“No, wait! Please, I'm sorry, but you're the one who mentioned it.”

“How could I not? You practically ooze money and superiority.”

“Ginny, can I call you that?”

Ginny nodded without thinking.

“Well then, Ginny, you assumed that I was looking for someone like myself? And I'm not. That stuff doesn't matter to me. I'd like it to not matter to you too. When I agreed to meet you, I wasn't agreeing to exchange check book information. I wanted to meet you.”

It was a good answer, Ginny would give her that. It was enough to keep Ginny from walking away at least. She felt the need to punch herself for being so rude too. Clearly, she had jumped to conclusions. “You didn't give me your name when I contacted you, may I have it please?" Ginny asked in a sort of peace offering.

The woman looked pleased and took a tentative step closer, offering Ginny a smile. She was approaching Ginny like a wild animal that was about ready to run and she wasn't wrong. Ginny had no choice, but to give the woman another point for good instincts. "Pansy."

“Pansy? Well that's a funny name,” Ginny said without thinking. Her eyes widened and she smacked a hand against her mouth. “I mean-”

The woman smiled, taking another step towards Ginny. “It's fine. My initials are P.P. if you want another laugh.”

Ginny snorted and was instantly mortified at the sound. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have laughed, but I am curious, what is your last name?”

“Parkinson.”

Ginny blinked rapidly. What are the odds? She shook her head. No way. It couldn't be. “P-Pansy Parkinson?” Ginny asked, needing to be sure she heard correctly.

Pansy smirked and gave a nod. It was the smirk that did it. Recognition flooded in and a coughing attack exploded from her chest. Ginny should have known. She should've known.

Pansy quickly came forward, pounding heartily against her back. Ginny tried to ward her off, but nothing seemed to keep her away. Even when she managed to catch gulps of air, she noticed Pansy's hand lingering on her back, rubbing tenderly up and down.

Was she copping a feel? Ginny quickly shook the thought away. Of course not.

"Pansy Parkinson?" Ginny repeated.

Pansy nodded, giving Ginny a hesitant smile as continued to run her hand up and down Ginny's back. Trying to not look suspicious, she pulled away from Pansy, nodding at the ground. "This was definitely a mistake," Ginny managed through bursts of air.

Pansy frowned and Ginny couldn't help but wonder if her pink lips felt as soft as they looked. Sex deprivation was messing with her mind for sure if she was thinking of another woman's lips. "Why did you come then?" Pansy asked.

The question successfully stopped Ginny and she turned around. It was something she'd asked herself too. "Well, lately, I've been trying to be a little less me but, well, I'm still me," Ginny said, feeling her face burn and for the first time since Hogwarts she wished she wasn't a pale, freckle faced redhead.

"Look, Ginny,” Pansy paused and a light sparked in her eyes as it dawned on her. “Ginny Weasley, right? See, it doesn't bother me who you are. I recognized you the minute I got you to turn around and talk to me. There aren't a lot of female red heads who used to play Quidditch around here.” She stopped talking and looked Ginny up and down again.

“Wow,” Pansy said, before she cleared her throat, “I never really noticed how thick and red your hair is.”

“I'm sure it's not my hair you've been admiring,” Ginny mumbled.

Pansy chuckled and bowed her head, nodding. “You're right. I am sorry about that. It's amazing,” Pansy pause, looking flustered. “I mean you're hair that is-it's brilliant really." Pansy rambled and reached forward as if to run her fingers through Ginny's hair, but reconsidered it at the last minute, and pulled away. "So, I get it, but you're here and I'm here, and we should have a drink and maybe a meal? It is close-ish to supper time, um,” Ginny watched as Pansy cringed, “we could catch up?"

Ginny cocked her head to the side, curiously staring at Pansy. She could ignore the fact that wasn't anywhere close to supper, but the idea that they needed to catch up was too much. "Catch up on what? We were never friends.” It was harsh, but it didn't change the fact that it was a very true statement.

Pansy gave her a small sheepish smile, her teeth sinking into her full bottom lip as she shrugged one shoulder. "I guess we should start there then."

"Why?"

She put her hands on her hips to answer, clearly upset now. "Because you answered my ad, I took the time to write it, you took the time to respond,” she snapped, though her angry voice was actually soft and almost cute. “I'm pleasantly surprised I managed to get someone that looks like you and that you're also a rather intelligent witch. The fact that we have even a little bit of history together makes me curious. So are you going to waste my time? I really hate that."

Ginny raised an eyebrow and backed away slightly, raising a hand in gesture towards the woma. "Pansy, can I call you Pansy?"

She nodded.

"Thank you. I should have mentioned this in the owl and I'm sorry I didn't, but you should really know that this isn't me," Ginny explained with a laugh, motioning her hands towards her body.

Pansy frowned, shifting from slight anger to mild confusion quickly. "It's not?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, I'm really sorry," she said giving Pansy an apologetic look as she started to leave.

Pansy held up a finger, pausing Ginny from turning around, before asking her next question. "Which part of it?"

Ginny paused and glanced up at her. "What?"

"Which part of it isn't you?"

"All of it." Ginny put the finality in the statement, hoping Pansy would understand, as she turned to leave again.

The following quotes are from the movie that inspired this story Kissing Jessica Stein:

"We'll lately I've been trying to be a little less me, but well, I'm still me.”

"Thank you. I should have mentioned this in the owl and I'm sorry I didn't, but you should really know that this isn't me."

"I just find a lot of different things sexy." "Oh. I don't."

"Wait, what? I thought you were, um-that you, so you've tried, er-you've dated men?"

"Which part of it isn't you?"

The date is very similar to the one in the movie as well. If I missed any quotes I used from the movie, let me know! And if you haven't seen the movie you should if only because Scott Cohen's in it.

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Chapter eleven:

"Oh come on!” Pansy called grabbing for Ginny's arm to pull her back. “We can just talk, have a beer together, something!"

Ginny shook her head and politely took control of her arm again as she continued to walk away. "I don't think so."

"I hear from Draco you have an interest in art."

Stopping instantly in her tracks, Ginny ignored the fact that Pansy ran into her as she addressed the name the woman just spoke."Whoa, wait, what? Draco? You mean Malfoy!"

Pansy smirked, apparently enjoying the closeness between them once again."That is his name. Both of them are his names actually."

"Hah,” she gave a staccato laugh, “that slime ball does talk about me behind my back. I told my brothers he has it out for me."

Pansy gave her a knowing look. "Exactly what he has for you remains to be named. Actually, you'd be surprised how much he talks about you. 'Course I've never actually seen you recently, until today, and now, I know what all the fuss is about." She chuckled, her eyes seeming to gleam with something Ginny couldn't figure out.

Ginny nodded, feeling suddenly so put out, she pulled a chair out at a random table from the outside restaurant they'd stopped in front of, and sat down. "It's his mission in life to destroy me."

Pansy gave a tiny nod to waiter and took the seat in front of her. "Oh trust me, that is not his intention. In fact, he probably won't be too pleased that it was my ad you answered.”

"Oh." Ginny really didn't know what to say about that.

How awkward.

Pansy tilted her head to the side, examining Ginny's impish freckled face and pouty red lips. "You are so beautiful."

Ginny's mouth fell open and her eyes widened at the compliment. She gave a sharp laugh and bowed her head. "Well um, thank you. You too."

"How are you still single?"And that seemed to be the question that kept them talking for the next two hours at the outside restaurant.

White empty plates were pushed to the side of the table with clear glasses half-full with butter beer accompanying them. It was dark out now. The once warm wind, cooling against Ginny's skin as it ruffled her hair against her neck. It didn't bother her at all. They were at the peak of their conversation and she wasn't ready to go home. A startled half scream escaped from Pansy's mouth as she continued her story.

"He did not! On the first date?" Pansy leaned forward and touched Ginny's arm casually.

Instead of pulling away, which initially would have been her first response, Ginny leaned forward into the touch, laughing as she answered. "I swear! He made me pay for half, more than half actually. It's so hard to find a guy that's intelligent and hot, but I didn't think I'd have to worry about selfishness too.”

"So he was ugly to boot? Merlin, where do these guys come from?"

"America, apparently," Ginny mumbled.

Pansy snorted. "I dated a wizard from America, wasn't a bad bloke really. Just thought two minutes in the sack was long enough, long enough for him to slack his lust on me maybe. I felt cheap and cheated afterwards."

Whoa. What?

Shaking her head, Ginny gave a confused laugh. "Wait, what? I thought you were, um—that you—so you've tried err, that is, to say, you've dated men?"

Pansy raised an eyebrow with a knowing smile before she responded, scooting her chair closer. It didn't bother Ginny that Pansy was now sitting right next to her. "I have."

"Good," Ginny cried out, then cringed at the loudness in her voice. "I thought that you—with woman, that you um, you know,” she paused, gesturing with her hands, “that's really why I was so weird in the beginning. I used the other stuff just to get away quicker."

Just stop talking, Ginny.

"Yes," Pansy nodded. "I've been with women too. I mean that's what this,” she gestured towards Ginny, “is all about. I just find a lot of different things sexy."

"Oh." Ginny swallowed, moving away slightly. "I don't."

The tip of her tongue touched the top of her lip as Pansy shifted in her chair, managed to scoot it back so that the space between them was enough to let Ginny breathe. "That's okay, but I'm sure we can find some things that we both think are sexy and maybe do them together."

"I-"

Pansy blotted her lips together as if she'd just put on some lip gloss. "Ginny, I'd like to see you again."

She was changing the subject Ginny knew, but she'd had fun, so what else could she say? Ginny smiled and nodded. “I'd like that.”

The wide smile Pansy gave her almost made her feel bad for getting her hopes up. It was simply because they'd had a good time… right? "How's next Friday, at seven?"

“What?” Ginny asked.

“Next Friday, at seven? Is that okay?”

“Oh, um, yes.” Ginny nodded enthusiastically, "sounds great."

Pansy went to speak again, but paused, and then started again, staring intently at Ginny with every word. "I should get going. I have to be in my showroom at five in the morning, new client and all."

Ginny frowned trying not to show her disappointment. Talking to Pansy was so liberating, she really needed more girl friends. Well girls that are friends. Ginny cleared her throat and scratched the back of her neck. "Right, it's for the best. I have work as well and Malfoy's a beast in the morning if I'm late."

They stood awkwardly at the edge of the restaurant. The street next to the shop was dimly lit and goose pimples spread across Ginny's shoulders as the coldness finally started to get to her. It's funny that she hadn't noticed it before, when she was having a good time talking with Pansy.

"I'll see you Friday then."

Should they shake hands?

Ginny found herself wondering for nothing since Pansy decided to lean forward and give her a soft warm kiss against the corner of her mouth that made Ginny hold her breathe. Her eyes fluttered closed against her cheek as she puckered her lips to kiss back slightly. She felt Pansy smile against her before pulling away.

Ginny watched as Pansy turned to leave, berating herself for kissing her back. But really, what was so wrong with it? If she was interested in Pansy that when then she wasn't really leading her on, right? She was lost in her thoughts when Pansy called out to her. "Ginny?”

“Yeah?”

Pansy did a swiping motion in front of herself. “Best date I've had in years."

Ginny laughed. “Me too,” she responded, but couldn't help wondering if it was really a date and not a female get together.

Jokes used came from here:

.com/topic/seattle-your-best-dry-joke

.com/witty_quotes/

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Chapter twelve: (Pansy)

Pansy was spread ear to ear with smiles as she walked into her flat, not surprised at all when she saw Draco had made an impromptu appearance in her kitchen. She was entirely too elated at the success of the night to let this gloomy man get to her.

“What's wrong?” she asked, not sure how to broach the topic with him.

He propped his hip against her kitchen counter and folded his arms across his chest. “Ginny is on another date.”

No time like the present... “The date is finished.”

He shook his head, “No, I mean she's—excuse me?”

Pansy gave him a wary smile and leaned next to him, folding her palms against her midriff. “That date I was on—yeah,” she stopped with a nod.

She thought he would laugh at the ludicrous idea of gorgeous Ginny Weasley being on a date with her, but he looked like she'd kicked his puppy.

Pansy licked her bottom lip cautiously. “Every bit of her is as exquisite as you said. I'm still a little confounded it was Ginny Knobby-kneed Weasley from school too.”

She watched as his elbows moved back so that his fingers could clutch he edges of the countertop. The deep scowl on his face and his stiffened posture made her aware that he was either angry or hurt, possibly both. “Draco?”

“I can't believe-” he paused and let out a bitter laugh, “that she's more willing to date a woman than me.”

“That's not fair.”

Draco swiveled towards Pansy and reached for her arms. Pansy cringed as his fingers dug into her flesh. “I have been in love with this woman since sixth year. I have watched her journey through her horrible taste in men and now…” he rolled his eyes and clucked his tongue, letting his hands drop down her arm. “Now I have to watch her go through women too.”

Pansy scowled up at him and bumped his hip playfully. “Again, not fair. Plus, it's woman. Woman! Just one! Me!”

“Pansy, please.”

She paused at the defeat in his voice and she felt her heart tearing because the problem was she liked Ginny. She was physically attracted to the red head too. She didn't want to hurt her best friend, but she wasn't going to stop seeing Ginny for him.

“Are you going to see her again?” he asked pitifully.

She nodded. “Yeah, I am.”

He swore viciously and glared at the ceiling. "She's not into girls. It's a bloody phase, so don't get attached." The angry bite in his voice was nothing less than she expected.

Pansy scoffed, punching him in the arm. "I'll pretend you didn't just say that, especially since, when I kissed her tonight, she kissed me back."

Draco's jaw clenched and he took a deep breath, his gaze dropping to the floor. Had it been anyone else, Pansy would've thought he was crying, but Draco Malfoy didn't cry. He got even. “Draco—”

“It's phase. Pansy, it's a phase,” he said with so much desperation that her eye almost watered.

If Ginny truly was going through a phase, Pansy was going to be the one to guide her through it. And if it wasn't a phase, Pansy had a feeling she could be with Ginny for a long time. She was going to have fun and she wouldn't feel guilty because Draco just happened to want Ginny too.

"Relationships can't be on sided, Pans, you know this."

She gave him a tender smile at his reference to her obsession with him back in school. "I know but your situation with her, for the moment, is one sided Draco."

“It'll never work Pansy. Why put yourself through this?”

“Would you stop it! You sound ridiculous. It's not my fault you've never asked her out.”

“I have asked her out, she just thinks I'm messing with her.”

"Stop whining.”

“Stop being a bitch.”

“How am I being a bitch?”

“Because you know how I feel about her.”

“Then do something about it, don't whine at me like a pansy arse. Make her realize you're serious, but until you do, I'll be dating her.”

“Damn it!”

“Hey, don't you curse at me!”

They stopped arguing, long enough for them both to take a breather, when they looked at each other, instead of arguing again, they laughed, both letting an apology slip out.

“You could try looking at this from a different perspective you know?”

He grimaced. A look she knew was him preparing to take the bait she'd thrown out. “How so?”

“I'm a girl, you've had sex with me, Ginny's a girl, and you want to have sex with her… imagine your two favorite girls—”

He held a hand up, swallowing.

Pansy smiled. “Got that image quick didn't you? I have that heating lube in the bathroom still if you want to have a go.”

“Really?”

Pansy nodded. “With your hand, of course.”

Draco wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “What, you won't join me?”

“Been there, done that—” she teased, but let a serious look cross her face. “If tonight was any indication, I'd say Ginny and I are close to dating. That rules out casual sex with you and anyone else.”

Draco nodded knowingly. “Pansy, I'm not saying this to be mean, but she's going to drive you crazy.”

“What? You don't think she'll have sex with me?”

“No. I don't. At all.”

“We'll see.” She paused and gave him a little slack; his hopes had been smashed enough for the night. “You know talking about you is how I got her to stay and actually talk to me. “I believe 'slime ball' was her rather heated comment," she added, unable to resist.

He raised a silvery eyebrow. "Really?" he asked surprised, then realized what she'd said and scoffed. "She called me a slime ball? Who says that?"

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Chapter thirteen: (Draco)

"What is that bloody awful noise?"

"Here kitty, kitty!" George started, bending at the knees and making a clucking sound.

Draco raised an eyebrow, wishing he didn't have his hands full of coffee so that he could cover his ears. "You think it's a cat?"

George nodded, his burnt orange colored hair falling into his eyes as he answered, "a dying one."

Fred chuckled as he walked by and nodded his head towards Ginny's desk. "It's Ginny."

"Why the hell does she sound like a dying cat and why are the two of you here so early?” George asked. “Usually, it's me and Draco who are here first!”

Fred's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Well, brother dear, had you bothered to come home last night, you'd have found me up thinking on our next money maker. It's all thanks to Ginny really. Why she's here so early I don't know. She did have a successful date last night though."

Draco became extremely wary because though he'd funded the business, had shares in it, he still somehow managed to become a test dummy for all three of the Weasley's. It irritated him to no end and it was usually Ginny's doing per the coercion of her brothers. For some reason they believed he'd let her get away with anything.

And isn't it true? What wouldn't I do for her?

"Is that why she's singing? It has to be because she never gets this happy about experiments unless they involve damaging our boss." George conclusion caused Draco to snort.

“Too true. It's not going too right?”

Fred chuckled, ignoring Draco's question. "Apparently, they were only supposed to meet for coffee. Ginny, of course, almost chickened out, and then they ended up spending hours together. The bloke kissed her at the end and Ginny was all 'pleasantly surprised' about it. She said she even kissed him back a little."

Draco's ears perked at the 'bloke' comment, but he wasn't stupid enough to mention it. Ginny may not want them to know her date was a female. Hearing about the kiss again though made his stomach churn with jealously and he desperately wanted to escape to the only closed door office in the building, his, and throw the coffee he bought for her across the room. He was rather tempted, until they all finally turned the corner, and she damn near took his breath away.

Ginny smiled brilliantly up at the three most important men in her life, or so Draco liked to think, as she watched them come towards her. Draco scowled as he caught a glimpse at the leaflets that scattered her desk about women. He watched as Ginny frowned, catching him staring at the contents on her desk, and then quickly glanced down, as if remembering her most recent purchase at the book store on certain things. She shoved the leaflets into her drawer, before glancing up again. "Good morning dears, how was your evening?"

George smugly licked his bottom lip and shrugged, pulling up a chair to sit on the other side of his sister. "Climatic."

Ginny's smile dropped from her face, her lips curled in disgust, and she scowled. "Gross," she mumbled.

Draco bit his bottom lip to keep from grinning widely at her sexy, disgusted expression that caused her bottom lip to pop out more. He resisted the urge to set the cups of coffee down and pull her to him, so he could kiss her awake, to make her realize what she had in front of her face.

Want me Ginny, not Pansy, he thought desperately.

As if on cue, she looked up.

"Malfoy, having a slow morning?"

"What?"

"You have two coffees."

He jerked forward, suddenly feeling put on the spot, his cheeks turning pink. "One's for you."

Ginny's eyes widened in shock and Draco felt his breath slip once more. Merlin, she was beautiful.

"Oh. Thank you, I-" she stopped and accepted the coffee.

"So tell us about your date," George interrupted and Draco felt the need to strangle him for taking her attention away from.

She gave an evil chuckle and turned towards her brothers. "It was fabulous. Best date I've had in a really, really long time."

"So just to be clear, we don't know him right?" George asked, with a warning tone in his voice.

Ginny stopped for a moment, her eyes taking in everyone, clearly contemplating whether she should tell them her little secret. "Um, yeah, I'm-no, no you don't know him. He went to a different school and just recently moved here I think."

Draco, who had just been about to take a sip of his coffee paused, resting the lid on his bottom lip as he examined her. He watched her flustered expression as she dove into the lie, clasping at it like a lifeline.

There's no way they'll buy this, he thought looking towards the twins. Ginny's always been a horrible liar.

"Well, we still need to meet him," Fred supplied sternly.

"Um, not at the moment you don't. Who's to say it'll last anyhow?"

Fred gave his little sister a serious look. "Be sure not to put out for like two years and then it'll last."

Ginny's eyes widened in disbelief, "two years- you're ridiculous and…" she shivered with what looked like disgust as she thought about what Fred had just said. Clearly the idea of bedding Pansy didn't sit too well with her. Merlin he hoped so. "And ew."

Draco raised an eyebrow, hoping to get her to continue. "What's 'ew'? The concept of sleeping with this new bloke?"

Thank you, thank you, thank you, he chanted.

She looked unsure as she glanced at a piece of paper on her desk.

______________

Why in the hell did Malfoy have to be so nosy?

"I don't know. I guess I'm, well you see, the thing is," she stopped and turned sharply to look at Malfoy, examining his stupidly gorgeous face and posture.

Why she hadn't gotten with the program sooner she'd never know, but he was one of Pansy's best friends, so of course he'd know, and he was purposely making her uncomfortable, in front of her brothers who hadn't a clue she'd been with a girl.

"May I speak with you in your office?" she asked as casually as possible.

Malfoy raised an eyebrow and with a sweeping gesture walked towards his office. She followed quickly resisting a good swift kick to the arse as she almost bumped into him when he stopped to open his door. She walked in, shutting the door behind them, and scowled as she saw him casually leaning against his desk, his white tuxedo shirt rolled up at the sleeves, showing his muscular forearms.

"How can I do you?" he asked.

"Excuse me?"

He cleared his throat and stood up a little straighter. "I mean, how can I help you?"

"Malfoy, you know. Don't play dumb."

He sighed and sat on the edge of his desk, contemplating his next answer carefully. "I do. She told me the other night."

Clearly, she was trying to be upset at the fact that he knew, but she gave in rather quickly to her curiosity, and pulled up a chair, doing something she later would question. "So,” she started.

Malfoy cocked his head to the side, watching her face curiously. “So?”

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Chapter fourteen:

Ginny rubbed her hands together. With a tilt of her head, she shrugged, hoping to encourage Malfoy to speak. When he didn't, her shoulders slumped and she heaved an irritated sigh. “Does she like me?"

Her lips parted when she registered the angered expression on his face. His brows snapped together in a scowl. The corner of his mouth curled into a snarl. He propped his hip against the side of his desk and crossed his arms. Despite his menacing glares, he spoke steadily, "I didn't think you were a lesbian."

She gasped. Her eyes widened with horror and she slapped a hand against her chest, "Don't say it that way!” She stiffened her shoulders and jutted her chin out, “And I'm not, I just well…"

The sound of his teeth grinding was faint before he interrupted her, "There is nothing wrong with the term 'lesbian.' If you are going to be one, you need to get used to it. When do you plan on telling your family?"

Ginny shook her head, holding her hands up and waving them in front of her like if she did the movement fast enough it would create a barrier. How she wanted that break between them, I only to save her from her embarrassment. "My family isn't going to find out." It was said with a hint of warning. She wasn't going to tell them, but if he did he'd have one less appendage to deal with.

The slight upward curving of his mouth stole her attention long enough to realize he'd been ignorant about the hidden warning. "You need to speak with Pansy about this."

Pansy? Why did she have to speak to Pansy again?

She shook her head, tearing her gaze from his smirking lips."W-why?"

"Pansy's my friend and while I care about the both of you, I don't want her to get hurt about something you've decided to experiment with. She's been in the game for awhile. If you aren't interested, say so."

"I am though,” Ginny cried out. As her voice echoed she realized she'd spoken louder than she'd anticipated. Feeling the need to clarify, she continued. “Interested, I mean."

The curving on his distracting, peach colored lips vanished. In fact, it happened so quickly she wondered if he was experiencing the beginnings of an uncomfortable bowl movement.

“Are you okay?” she asked, wondering if she should feel his forehead.

"But-” he paused and gave a helpless shrug. “You like guys," he finished rather pathetically.

Ginny exaggerated her nod, "I do, but sometimes, I don't know. I mean, you can't really help who you're attracted to." Ginny scrunched her eyebrows together and frowned curiously at him as she remembered what he'd said early. "You care about me?"

He gave a dry, defeated laugh as he pushed against the edge of his desk and turned his back towards her, suavely avoiding the question. "Yeah, one sided attraction sucks,” he mumbled the words softly.

"What?” She leaned closer towards him, before she managed to catch up with what he'd said. Disappointment could be just as painful as rejection. “You mean Pansy. So she doesn't like me?" Ginny questioned, worrying her lip.

He sighed, his back still turned to her. “If only. No, she's extremely attracted to you."

What escaped her mouth was nothing short of a miracle. Ginny slapped a hand against her lips, muffling the giggle, her face flushing a deeper red when she realized who she'd done it in front of. When was the last time that she'd truly giggled like that?

Merlin.

"Well, that's great then!" She bit her lip and gave a shrug. "Who would have ever thought I'd be talking to you of all people about this."

“Yeah, who'd of thought?” Draco spoke with a hint of sarcasm.

--

Time stopped.

Or it may as well have considering how slow the rest of the working week was turning out to be. The anticipation for the next date with Pansy was nauseating. A single day and she'd been anticipated to death. When a letter came in the middle of the week to let Ginny know that Pansy wanted the date to be at her flat, Ginny had almost close lined her mum to get to the owl. After she'd realized Pansys' address was in what Americans would reference as the 09er or for witch and wizards, the Fantastic Area of the Rich abbreviated FAR, she found herself worrying even more about the location. That didn't stop the thought of paying a visit to Malfoy, falsifying some work related information, so she could drop by her house though. `I was in the neighborhood' probably still wouldn't fly. Ginny was at war. She wanted to see Pansy, but she didn't want to look as needy as she felt. By the time Friday came around, Ginny was feeling particularly weak and snarky at work.

She was gazing intently at the clock, counting down the minutes when George called out to her.

"Why is this so much?"

Ginny blinked her haze away and turned towards George to see him looking over the invoice she'd placed on his desk a few hours earlier. She'd planned on yelling at him for purchasing a gift for Angelina, his current girlfriend, on the company's galleons. It wouldn't have been so bad if Angelina wasn't currently out of the country trying to recruit Quidditch players for her team.

"It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, of course, there's shipping and handling, too," Ginny spoke flatly.

She could feel his glare at her back and had to hold back from actually saying something mean. It wasn't his fault her week felt like two.

"Why is it even on my desk? You handle this, not me.”

Ginny turned fully towards him raising an eyebrow and cocking her right shoulder up. "You can't send expensive gifts to your girlfriend who's out of the country on a work expense,” she said and reached over, pointing rapidly in the direction of the paper, “You need to pay that back.”

George shrugged, “Draco won't mind.”

“That's not entirely the point.” When he didn't respond, Ginny heaved an irritated sigh, but obligingly changed the subject. “When is Angelina coming back anyhow?"

"In a week and Draco wouldn't have cared." He pouted, popping his bottom lip out.

"Really? Are you twelve? And yes he would have, he's a tight ass!"

George snorted. "We could've just blamed it on you then."

"So I'd get in trouble? Fat chance."

"Are you kidding? You can do no wrong when it comes to him. What boss do you know wouldn't have fired your arse if you spoke to them they way you do to Draco?"

Ginny scrunched her lips to the side of her face and shook her head in denial, returning a rather vicious glare.

"So what's this I hear about my tight arse?"

Jolting in her rolling chair at the sound of his voice, she swiveled towards him. He'd startled her enough that she could ignore the gentle onset of lust curling in her groin. If she could just hack of his head and use his body, maybe she'd give in.

"Don't you have an elsewhere to be? This isn't your real job you know!" Ginny practically growled.

Malfoy smirked as he pulled up a chair on the side of Ginny's mahogany desk. "It may not be my real job, but I invest a lot into seeing that this business succeeds. I thought I would stop by and let you know the status of Fred's new concoction."

“Oh.”

She didn't know what to say to that, but as she studied his face she felt the corner of her lips twitch. Ever since an incident with a said ministry official and an aphrodisiac wheeze, basically a joke, they've had to get approval. From the look on his face the ministry approved the new wheeze.

Ginny grinned. “It was approved?”

Her eyes slammed shut and her arm curled around her abdomen. His smile should be illegal or bottled up and used as sex potion. Man, what was she going to do? She needed to have sex. It was the human thing to do, but she could do it with Pansy. That would be too weird. It would be a cold day in hell before she asked Malfoy the pumping activity she so craved.

"We'll start advertising as soon as it's ready. I'll be speaking with Luna today about getting the front page. Have you decided on a name Fred?" Malfoy said.

"Gin's Escape?"

Making a tsking noise, her eyes slipped open. "You can't label it with my name. I don't want everyone to know that I'm a total screw up."

All three men scoffed and spoke simultaneously, "You're not a screw up."

"I don't want to call it that because I think you're a screw up Gin. It's an ingenious idea. What woman, or man for that matter, doesn't want a quick escape from a date that's gone to bloody hell?" Fred elaborated.

Ginny cleared her throat, before glancing down at her black tuxedo shirt. "Please, guys, a different name."

"Great Escape?" Draco supplied.

"Date Escape," Fred and George supplied together before grinning like two evil genius dorks.

This was going to be a long two hours.

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