Redemption
Altercations
I gave the blond an annoyed look. We were at my flat alone, Malfoy had shown up a few minutes ago to see Tiffany, but she hadn't arrived home from work yet so we had been just sitting around talking random crap to one another while waiting for her return. When, as usual, he took it too far.
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?!" I glared.
"Exactly what I said!" Malfoy shot back with a smirk.
"My father is a wonderful man!"
"Doesn't change the fact that he's a kook!"
I growled and slapped him hard upside the head.
"Did you just hit me, Red?" Malfoy asked in a quiet tone.
"No Blondie, I hugged you," I smirked.
"What did I tell you about hitting me?" he asked in a deadly whisper.
My mouth opened and closed a few times and my eyes went wide, "You wouldn't…"
At his slow deliberate smile, I gasped and shot up from the couch. I didn't get very far before he had me by the shirt.
"Let me go, Blondie!" I yelled, trying to pull my top free of his hands.
When he abruptly released me, I pitched forward, but before I could go down, he caught me and hauled me back towards him. Then, falling back into the armchair, he flipped me over so that my stomach was against the arm and my bum was across his lap.
"You better not!! You had better not!! I will kill you -my brothers will kill you -my-my father will kill you!!! I-I-I-"
"Hey, you got fair warning, I've told you over and over not to hit me," he put pressure on my back, holding me still. "I'm done warning, it's time for action."
I let out an indignant scream when his hand connected forcefully with my backside. The hit had not been light as a small sharp stinging pain went through my bum causing me to jump.
"You did not just spank me!!" I yelled, twisting more in his arms.
He grabbed my shoulders and flipped me over so that I was sitting on his lap. "Next time you get a lot more than one," he stated sternly.
I growled, "You bastard!"
"I'm not a bastard. Remember my father -the bloke that you said looked like a transsexual? …" he smirked.
"You insulted my father too!"
"After you insulted mine!"
"Well, I only insulted your father after you talked about my mum -again!"
"Yeah, well none of this would have started at all if you hadn't made several comments about the similarities between my mum and a Popsicle!"
I couldn't stop my smug grin, "Well I'm right, all the woman is missing is the stick up her arse… then again…"
He glared, "Make me turn you back over my knee, Red."
"No way!" I pushed and shoved at him, moving and wiggling, trying to get out of his lap.
"Stop it," he hissed.
"No," I shifted again.
"For the sake of my sanity Red, cut it out!"
I froze; my eyes wide as I finally noticed the hardness pressed against my behind. Our gazes clashed and I released a slow breath before gradually shifting on him once more. Draco sucked in a breath and moved his hands from my arms to my hips.
"Cut it out," he whispered.
My hands moved to his shoulders. "I'm not doing anything," I murmured.
He scoffed.
"I'm not," I repeated before trying the action again.
I was a bit surprised when his hands just moved with my hips instead of holding them still. When he whispered my name, I felt something akin to power flow through me and pressed down on him before rotating once more. He groaned and his head fell back.
"You are driving me completely mental," he growled.
"Yeah, well the feeling's mutual, believe me," I replied.
"Then stop it."
"Stop what?" I asked innocently, while rotating my hips once more.
His head snapped back up and he glowered at me from behind ash blond bangs. I reached out a hand and pushed them away from his face. When he arched a brow at me, the urge to kiss him was almost overwhelming.
"Hey," a voice commented loudly. I jumped and Draco's hands reached out and caught me before I could fall off of his lap.
Looking over, I noticed Tiffany standing by the door, her eyes studying the two of us. I moved to stand, accidentally shifting a bit on Draco and his hands shot out once more to stop my movements.
"What's… going on, you guys?" Tiff asked slowly.
"Nothing," Draco and I said in unison before shooting one another annoyed looks.
"Right…" Tiffany said smirking.
I flushed and quickly stood up from the blonde's lap, "He insulted my dad and we had a bit of a row that's all," I grumbled.
Draco nodded, leaning forward in the chair, "That's true… though; she left out the part where she insulted my father first."
"Yeah, well that was after you insulted my mum," I replied, glaring at him.
"Which I did after you insulted my mum," he retorted with a frown of his own.
"Yeah, well your mum deserves it, mine doesn't."
"How do you know what my mum deserves?!" he demanded.
I smirked, "Oh, I know and I can tell you a few more things she deserves too-"
"Okay, okay, truce you two," Tiffany cut in with a laugh. She looked at the blond, "Draco, what are you doing here anyway? You need to be getting ready."
He frowned, "For what?"
She walked over and grabbed his hands, "For the holiday gala at my job, you promised to take me, remember?" She gave his hands a strong tug, but Draco countered her movement.
"I…uh, okay well, I'll go in a minute," he replied.
"No you have to go now," Tiffany insisted, "you need to shower and to change, come on Draco," she pouted and grabbed his hands again, yanking him with all her might.
The blond man suddenly pitched forward, almost crushing her between his body and the coffee table.
Tiffany's brows rose, "Oh…"
Draco blushed and moved back to the chair, dipping his head. The brunette grinned and she shot me a curious look before running her fingers through Draco's hair. Kneeling in front of him, she placed her hands on his legs and gave them a squeeze.
"Don't worry about it Draco, you're only human," she smiled before sliding her hands up his thighs. "In fact, I'll help you take care of that later if you want."
My fists clenched as I sussed exactly what she was talking about. When his's eyes flicked briefly to me, I turned my head and studied the wall.
"That sounds like a definite plan," I heard him reply a moment later.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from calling him several names, `After all, they are practically together. What do I care if they are shagging again? I don't -I don't, it doesn't matter, not at all. So what if what she was referring to was caused be me, that didn't make it mine -make him mine. I don't want him to be mine anyway …do I?' I physically frowned at the thought… or was it the answer? Sighing, I shook my head and hurried back to my room, making sure to avoid glancing in their direction and began to compile the information I had gathered for my next story.
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An hour or so later, I grabbed a teacup from the shelf and filled it with water, using my wand to warm it.
"Hey Gin," Tiffany said walking into the kitchen, "what do you think?"
Looking over, I saw she had her hair up in a messy but still sculptured knot, with loose tendrils falling and framing her face. Diamond studs were in her ears, a light almost unnoticeable layer of makeup covered her face, and a smoky tint was applied to her eyes. Her lips were painted a deep ruby red that matched the long red strapless dress that covered her supple form. The top of the garment was synched, the fabric coming together at a clear crystal pendant in the center of the tight bodice. The shape and the structure of which accentuated her small waist while also lifting her breasts and showing off her ample cleavage. The bottom of the dress was billowy, the fabric swishing lightly as she turned from side to side to show me her outfit. And a single diamond and gold bracelet adorned her wrist. I frowned -she looked bloody gorgeous.
"Well?" Tiffany asked again after a moment.
"Well… what is it with you and red?" I asked leaning against the counter.
Her brows rose, "Is that all you have to say?"
I shrugged, "What, you look nice Tiff. If you want someone to stroke your ego more then that, then perhaps you should wait for Prince Charming to arrive."
Her eyes narrowed, "At least I have one."
I scoffed, "Please that was sarcasm. Like Blondie could be anyone's definition of a Prince Charming."
"He's mine," she replied.
"You're delusional," I shrugged.
"How so?" she asked with a frown.
"Come on, you can't actually think that things will get serious with you and Draco, can you?" I snorted, rolling my eyes, "Get real, you're just a distraction."
"Why? Why am I that, why wouldn't things work?"
"Ask him."
"I'm asking you," she retorted crossing her arms over her chest.
"Because, you're too different."
"What, I'm a woman -he's a man? Help me out here Ginny, I don't get it?"
"You wouldn't," I muttered.
"And what the hell does that mean?!" she exclaimed taking several steps forward.
"That means that you wouldn't understand. That's what it means," I shot back.
"And why wouldn't I?"
"Because you're just a Muggle!"
"I'm just a Muggle? -I'm just a Muggle," she scoffed, "so what, I'm less than you because you're a witch? Personally, I'd prefer to be a Muggle then what you are, which is not just a witch, but also a bitch!"
"Please you slut, how dare you call me a bitch! You're the bitch and a tramp to boot! Running around with different blokes all the time. You know, I'm tempted to place you on a street corner and charge for your services," I spat back.
She sneered, "Don't be mad at me because men want me and not you! Also, don't come at me all high and mighty because you want what I have!"
"Want what you have? As if! There is nothing that you have that holds the least amount of interest for me!"
"Ha! Bollocks!" she walked closer her hands on her hips. "You really think I don't know what this is about?" I frowned and arched a brow and she scoffed. "Please, you practically leave a trail of drool every time he enters the room," she smirked.
I glowered, "Are you implying that I'm interested in Draco Malfoy?!"
"Interesting that you knew exactly who I was talking about," she retorted smugly, "and I'm not
implying it, I'm saying it flat out. You want Draco."
I scoffed again, "I don't know if I should laugh or spew. I don't want that pompous git!"
"Yeah, yeah I know you hate him, which was why you were practically riding him earlier -because you hate him so much," Tiffany smirked.
I glared at her, "Don't get mad at me because I turn your man on more than you do."
Her mouth dropped for a second before she snapped it shut and glowered at me, "I turn Draco on in ways you could never imagine," she hissed taking several steps forward and stopping a few away from me. "You were nothing more than a substitute for the real thing, but now that I'm here, you can crawl back into your hovel with the rest of the old maids and began to procure your cat collection."
"Real thing? As if you could ever be," I stated with a slow grin. "Tell me Tiff, have you even gotten any since that witch boffed the hell out of him? Or are your little Muggle," I made quotation marks "skills," I smirked, "not enough to rise to the bar that was set?"
Her face turned a dull red, "You cow! My, as you put it, "Muggle skills," are well up to the challenge! In fact, I'm going to test them out tonight, if you're lucky, I'll give you some pointers later," she finished with a self-satisfied smirk.
I gave a short mocking laugh, "As if I need pointers from a Muggle on how to please a wizard. You're the one who needs to know how it's done; maybe if you shut the hell up, I'll give you pointers and Draco won't have to hunt down a witch for a real tumble between the sheets."
"Like you know anything worth telling… all I have to do is look at Harry and Dean to discern that you're sorely lacking in the appeal department," she retorted. "If you couldn't please a goody boy like Harry, or a weak git like Dean, then you have no idea how to handle a man like Draco."
I opened my mouth to tell her that I knew exactly that, but caught myself at the last moment. Giving a mocking laugh, I looked her up and down. "You know what Tiff, whatever."
"That's all you got? Is it because you know what I say is true," she pressed. I scoffed lightly and shook my head.
"Come on Ginny, you say just because I'm a Muggle I don't know how to keep a wizard happy, but I have a question for you," she arched a sardonic brow, "isn't Hermione Muggle born?"
I gave her a glower as she poked at old wounds. "Shut up Tiffany," I spat.
"Or what?" she countered. "Face it, Harry chose a Muggle and so will Draco, we're superior."
"You don't know what the fuck you're talking about," I sneered, my hand itching for my wand.
"Oh, I know what I'm talking about and so do you," she goaded.
I glowered at her and headed out of the kitchen, she blocked my path, "Move Tiffany," I ground out from between clenched teeth.
"No," she stated.
"I'm warning you," I whispered.
She smirked, "You know you kept telling me what I could and couldn't do for Draco because he's a wizard." I attempted to step around her and she blocked me again. "You kept telling me what a wizard needs -but how about what a wizard wants?"
I clenched my hands, "Move."
"Or what? You may call me a slut, but I'd rather be that then be what you are -which is bitter. Then again, I would be too if all of the blokes I was interested in were all interested in someone else."
"Don't make me hurt you Tiffany," I whispered taking a few steps back, just incase I got tempted to hit her as my emotions swirled in a dizzying mixture of upset and anger.
"You know what hurts Gin," Tiffany pressed, "the truth. And the truth is that wizards and Muggle men are the same. They like the same pleasure, they need the same attention, and they want the same things. Another thing that wizards and Muggle men have in common is what they don't want-"
I felt my temper flaring dangerously, "Tiff…"
"-and from what I see," she continued undaunted, "the thing that they most often agree that they don't want," she tilted her head to the side and smirked, "is you."
Before I realized it -my wand shot up.
****************
I appeared in Ginny and Tiffany's flat in a matter of moments, my tie untied, my hair not yet combed, and holding the small silver Muggle mobile phone that Tiffany had pestered me into getting so that we could talk.
"Draco," Ginny said a second after I arrived.
Looking up I saw her approaching me apprehensively, "What's wrong?" I asked immediately, "I got your text about an emergency, is Tiff alright?"
Her face turned red enough to rival her hair and she averted her gaze, "Well… in a sense…"
I arched a brow, "What does that mean?"
Seeing some movement in my peripheral vision, I looked up to see Tiffany walk into the room. Her hand was covering the lower half of her face and her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
"Tiff, what's wrong?" I asked rushing over to her.
When she shook her head and tears began anew, I gathered her into my arms and shot Ginny a questioning look. The red haired woman winced and looked down at the floor, mumbling something just low enough that I only caught the word accident.
"What kind of accident?" I asked her, "Did someone get hurt…die?"
Ginny roughly shook her head and wrapped her arms around her waist, "I… I accidentally hexed her…"
"What?!" I pulled back and looked at Tiffany, "How do you accidentally hex someone?! What did you do? What happened?"
Tiffany looked up at me, her crying now ceased and her expression a bit… guilty?
I looked back at Ginny, "What hex did you use?"
She shuffled a toe in the floor rug and fidgeted with her fingers, "An enlargement one…"
I arched a brow, "What did you enlarge?" The redhead cringed a bit and shrugged. I looked over at the brunette, "Tiff?"
Hesitating for a moment, Tiffany frowned and slowly removed her hand. My mouth dropped a bit as her top teeth protruded from behind her lip, looking like they should be on a large horse instead of the petite woman in my arms.
"I can't recall the counter curse," Weasley muttered.
Against their will, my lips twitched at the corners and Tiffany shot me a vexed look.
"Fhif if nof funny," she stated, her words coming out distorted.
It took all of my willpower and training as a Malfoy to school my features into a suitably serious expression and to give her a solemn nod. "Of course it isn't," I murmured, "let me take care of that for you." When I lifted my wand, she recoiled a bit. "Don't worry," I said with a small smile, "this'll only take a second and then you'll be as good as new."
Tiffany took a deep breath and gave me a jerky nod. Looking up at the ceiling, I went through my mind for possible counter curses. When I found the one I deemed most suitable, I gave a small swish of my wand and pointed it at her mouth uttering the appropriate words. A moment later, Tiffany tentatively touched her face, giving me a brilliant smile when she felt her teeth were back to normal.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she yelled throwing her arms around my neck and giving a tight squeeze.
"No problem," I laughed. When she pulled back, I pushed her hair out of her face and looked at her for a moment before looking over my shoulder at Weasley. "Now, which one of you is going to tell me what happened?"
"Nothing it was just an accident," Ginny stated.
"Yeah," muttered Tiffany.
"Just how does one accidentally hex their best mate?" I inquired looking between the two.
Ginny looked at the floor again and Tiffany shrugged.
"I have to go and get ready," Tiffany commented a moment later, indicating her face and hair, "again."
I shook my head at their avoidance of my question then raised a brow at Tiffany, "I could handle that for you," I offered twirling my wand.
She pulled a face, "Eck, no. I've had enough spells aimed at my fact to last me a lifetime, thanks."
I gave a shrug and a low chuckle as she turned and headed to her bedroom before turning my gaze upon Weasley.
"So, what happened, Red?" I inquired in a lazy tone.
She frowned and glared at me, "Nothing."
"Something had to happen for you to hex Tiffany," I stated simply. Putting my wand in its holder, I slid my hands into my front pockets and cocked my head to the side, studying her. "And to make matters even more fascinating, you contacted me of all people to help you with it."
She blushed and glared at me, "Yeah well… it made the most sense."
My brows rose, "How so?"
She fidgeted with her fingers and frowned, "Well… you were already coming over to take Tiffany to the party so… I mean, if you were coming over anyway then why not? I mean, it made a lot more sense than to call Harry or Ron and then end up having to break up a ruck between you guys."
I watched her for a moment, considering her answer before giving a light nod, "I can see that."
"Glad to know you approve, Blondie," she stated sarcastically.
"I do -though I still wonder why not call Granger? I mean, she'd be the obvious choice," I cocked my head in the other direction and smirked at her, "In fact I doubt there's a spell out there that she doesn't know."
"Yes…well, Hermione would have just told Harry and-"
"-and then they would have both demanded to know what you two were fighting about?" I finished.
"Yes -I mean no," she glowered at me, "I didn't say anything about us fighting."
I grinned, "You didn't have to Weaslette, it's written all over your face," I made a motion with my head I the direction of Tiffany's room. "And hers."
"Whatever, Malfoy," she sneered.
I chuckled, "Tell me. What were you two fighting about?" I took a few steps forward until I was standing almost in front of her.
"Nothing," was the clipped response.
"Come on, it wasn't nothing," I studied her intently, she glared up at me, but I could see her breathing speed up from the rapid rise and fall of her chest. "What was it about, money?" I took another step forward, "Work?" I took another step and she dropped her gaze, a slow smile pulled at my lips as I removed my right hand from my pocket and used it to tilt her face up so that she was looking in my eyes. "No? … Was it about… me?"
Panic flashed in her eyes momentarily before it was quickly replaced by anger as she slapped my hand away, "Oh, get over yourself, Malfoy."
"You get over me first," I smirked. Her hand shot out and I caught it, "What did I tell you about hitting me, Red?"
Her mouth dropped slightly and her eyes darkened before she snatched her hand away from mine. "You wouldn't dare," she hissed.
I grinned, "Now, we both know I would," I stated with a lazy shrug as my hands went up to tie my tie.
She continued to glower at me, her hands clenched at her side.
"I'll be ready in just a few more minutes," Tiffany said coming from her room and heading into the bathroom. Her gaze flicked between the two of us for a moment before she disappeared through the door and closed it softly behind her.
When Ginny began to mutter several very colorful words under her breath, I gave a low laugh "No one does class like you do Weasley."
She glared up at me, "Bite me, Malfoy."
I shot her a wink, "I already did…"
She growled and stormed towards her room. As she passed, I couldn't stop my hand from shooting out and grasping her elbow. She leveled me with a heated look and I gave her a jovial grin in return
"You know, as a Weasley, you're already in possession of that atrocious red hair," I drawled, "which means right now you are looking -dare I say it. A bit too festive."
Ginny gave me suspicious look, "What the hell does that mean?"
I grinned, "It means I'm just trying to offer you a bit of friendly advice," I picked up a lock of her hair with my left hand, "since you can't do anything about the red of your hair," I arched a brow "then perhaps you should take care of the green in your complexion." I cocked my head to the side, "Isn't envy a sin, Red?"
She snatched her arm free, "You would know all about sins, Blondie."
My shoulders hitched negligently and I gave her a crooked smirk, "Very true, which is why I know one of them when I see it."
"Get over yourself," she growled.
"You know," I looked around, "right now I'm having the strangest sense of déjà vu."
Ginny glared up at me and her hand twitched towards her wand.
"Hey, remember I can hex you back," I warned.
"So," she countered crossing her arms over her chest, "It would be totally worth it," she gave a smug look, "you know it's been a while since I've done a bat bogey."
I cringed, "That's disgusting, Red."
"Anything's disgusting on you, Blondie."
"Anything," I inquired with a subtle smile; she blushed.
"Get-"
"-over myself, I know," I cut in rolling my eyes. "Has anyone ever talked to you about how tedious redundancy is?" When she flipped me off, I laughed. "I suppose you're right though, you were never on me…" I ran my fingers through her hair "you were under me."
Her breathing sped up and she flushed before giving me a cynical look, "Yeah, me and half the other witches in England."
"You wound me, Red," I teased touching my chest. "I am no slut."
She rolled her eyes, "Whatever, yet you've boffed Merlin knows how many women."
I arched a brow "Do you really think that's all Merlin does? Watch people shag?" I looked up then back down at her, "That's just disturbing… but then again," I smirked, "I know why you would appreciate the hobby."
"Oh sod off Blondie! Besides, there's nothing to watch unless you're planning on taking Tiffany up on her offer tonight," she shot back.
I quirked a brow and shrugged.
"Are you?" she demanded with an incredulous look.
"Maybe," I teased.
"Really?" she asked softly; I gave her a surprised look, her face was a dull red and her gaze was fixed on my tie instead of my face. "Are you really going to shag Tiffany tonight?"
After a moment of my continued silence, she gave me a hesitant look. When she did so, I studied her face. She looked nervous and embarrassed -she also looked the tiniest bit upset by the notion.
"I-"
"Okay, I'm finally ready," Tiffany said walking into the room.
Ginny took a step away from me and I turned towards my date, "You look smashing," I smiled.
"Thanks," the brunette beamed. "You ready to go?"
"Almost, I need to go by my flat. I sort of just apparated directly over here after getting Red's text and didn't grab my coat, wallet, or anything."
Tiffany nodded, "Alright, I'll go with you. We can apparate to your flat and then catch a cab from there."
I smiled, "Sounds good -you know we could also just apparate directly to the party if you like."
She made another face, "No thanks, I think the apparation to your place will put me well past my magical quota for the rest of the year."
I chuckled.
"Tiff?" Ginny said. We both looked at her, "I'm sorry again… about… well… you know."
Tiffany nodded then looked at me, "You ready?"
"Of course," I smiled.
The brunette stepped forward and pulled herself closely to my side, her hands wrapped firmly around my arm and her eyes squished shut. I gave a low chuckle.
"You know you're not heading to the firing squad, yeah?" I teased.
She opened an eye and glared up at me, "Yes, now let's just get this over with."
"Alright," I grinned.
"Uh, have a great time you guys," Ginny said.
I looked up and noticed her watching us with an uneasy smile, "We will."
She nodded.
"Oh and Red?"
Her eyes locked on me and she arched a questioning brow.
"No." Her brows furrowed and I shrugged. "That's the answer to your question. -No."
Her mouth dropped slightly and I gave a discrete wink before gathering Tiffany into my arms and disappearing with a `pop' just as the corners of her lips began to turn upward into a small smile.
A.N. That's it for this chappy. Boy Tiff should have watched out for that Weasley temper, yeah? Anyway, stay tuned for the next update. A shout out to my awesome beta Amanda for getting me the chappy in time, I'm interested to see your review! As for everyone else also Please Review and ja ne!
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