Redemption
Interactions
I apparated into the flat and threw my purse down onto the couch. What a long freaking night. Once Malfoy and Tiffany left I found myself catching the brunt of all the accusations and questions. Harry demanded to know how Malfoy had even gotten into contact with Tiffany, while Ron wanted to know how long the whole thing had been going on. Answering Ron's question was no problem, but I couldn't tell Harry anything without giving away my end of the deal I had with Blondie. So I concocted some story about him coming across us while we were having coffee at a small muggle café.
I rubbed my temples -it is not easy trying to get away with lying to an Auror.
In fact I would still be under interrogation by him and Ron, had Hermione and Luna not stepped in. Then to make matters even more fabulous, when I went back over to Dean and asked if we could leave, he had the nerve to say no. Hence the start, of yet another argument. He claimed that the reason I wanted to leave was because I was upset about seeing Harry and Hermione together. What the hell?! Had he not been there for the huge row between my best friend and my brother? I was so sick of him insisting that I wasn't over Harry. We had broken up years ago, shortly after I graduated from Hogwarts and any feelings I had for him are long gone -well, mostly long gone, and are in no way interfering with my relationship with Dean. What was interfering with our relationship was his unnecessary jealousy and unfounded allegations.
Storming into the kitchen I went to the small lower cabinet in the corner and pulled out the bottle of firewhiskey. Grabbing an available mug off of the counter I poured myself a stiff shot and quickly knocked it back, sucking in a sharp breath as it burned it's way down my throat. Grabbing the bottle once more I was just about to pour myself another shot in hopes of getting as foxed as Neville's party had promised when I heard a bang from the back of the flat. Stiffening I strained my ears and listened harder, when it sounded again I jumped a bit. What was that? Wrapping my hand around the end of my wand in my coat pocket, I slowly made my way through the flat. It was coming from Tiff's room, but… weren't she and Malfoy supposed to be at his flat? I distinctly recall the blond man saying that if I hadn't stepped in earlier then he and Tiff would be at his flat instead of the party. So if they were there… then who was here?
Gripping my wand a bit tighter with my right hand I made my way to Tiffany's room, I jumped when I heard the bang again. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly I put my left hand on the knob and gently twisted it, opening the door. My first thought was `I guess they didn't go to his flat.' My second one was `Wow'.
Draco and Tiffany where in her large queen sized bed involved in very adult actives. She was on her knees her naked body bent forward, arms stretched out and her fingers scratching heavily at the smooth surface of the satin sheets. Her head was down pressed slightly into the mattress, with rich chocolate hair pooling around her neck and a bit onto her bare back. He was behind her, his hands braced lightly on her hips, his pale skin standing out dramatically against her more tanned tone. His fingers wrapped around her petite waist as he thrust into her, making the headboard smack against the wall and telling me the source of the mysterious banging noise.
I stared wide-eyed at the two of them, knowing I should leave but feeling as though a sticking charm had been placed on my feet. Draco's head, which had been tilted back exposing his long neck, suddenly fell forward. He bit lightly on his lower lip, his eyes closed as he continued to thrust into her. My eyes traveled from his lips to his broad chest. I guess he really had been spending his free time working out. His chest was well defined; nice sized pecks lead down to sculptured abs that flexed with every movement of his hips.
When my heated gaze made it back to his face I jumped, my right hand flying from my wand to my throat as I realized that he was watching me. The urge to run surged through me but I was rooted, now held captive by his cloudy gray eyes. I expected him to yell, give me away to Tiffany, call me a pervert, a voyeur -do something, but he didn't. Instead he continued to watch me and drive into her. His hands slid along the length of her back, his thumbs pressing down slightly and eliciting a rich husky moan from the woman knelt before him. As his hands glided up her back he leaned forward, white-blond hair fell into rich gray eyes. I felt my knees wobble dangerously beneath me when he bit his lip and started to pound harder into her. My hand left my throat and gripped the frame of the door in an attempt to keep me upright as his tongue darted out and slid along her spine. Tiffany arched up and my eyes shot to her, but hers were tightly closed as pleasure filled sigh slipped from between her full red lips. When my gaze when back to Draco he arched a single brow at me, before shifting his right hand from Tiffany's shoulder to her chest, his long fingers flittering over her breasts and disappearing between the apex of her legs.
Even though she was already on her knees, when touched her there Tiffany's legs seemed to give out. She let out a loud mewl of ecstasy and began to pant and claw heavily at the satin sheets. As she thrust her hips back against him, wither it was to match the thrust of his hips or his fingers, I don't know. -Draco's head fell forward and landed on her tanned shoulder blade, his blond hair mixing with her brown. I started when an image flashed before me of soft white-blond and red hair mixed together on a slick damp back that was of a somewhat paler complexion and my left hand traveled down my stomach to the front of my pants. Abruptly realizing what I was doing and just who that long red hair in my fantasy belonged to broke though whatever spell his ghostly gray eyes had placed upon my senses and I quickly pushed away from the door. Falling back onto unstable legs that quickly gave out I landed with a small `thump' on the hardwood floor.
`What the hell had I been doing? Why had I watched? Why had he let me? Why had I imagined….' I trailed off shaking my head at the dangerous questions. Taking several deep breaths I tried to regain my bearings and gather my thoughts. Feeling like I was on fire I tugged at the coat that I had forgotten to take off. As my fingers moved jerkily to loosen the buttons I jumped a bit and froze when Tiffany released another low moan.
`I have to get the hell out of here,' at that thought I disapparated.
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I returned to the flat a couple of hours later and immediately paused upon arriving. Standing perfectly still I strained my ears for any strange banging or moaning noises. Hearing none I released a relieved sigh and slipped off my large coat, tossing it carelessly onto the couch. Walking into the kitchen I flipped on the light -and almost had a bloody heart attack.
Draco Malfoy looked up at me from his seat on the counter and I stifled a groan. Great, just fucking awesome -the one person I didn't want to see, so of course the first person I saw.
"Hey," I muttered.
He nodded before tossing something my way. My Hogwarts years as a Chaser came in handy when I quickly caught the item, looking down I saw it was a cold bottle of `Witches Brew' beer.
"You looked like you could use one," he shrugged at my questioning glance, while opening what looked to be at least his second bottle.
"I suppose I could," I muttered, popping off the top and taking a long swig of the drink.
He nodded lightly, before sliding off of the counter. When his feet touched the ground the brown slacks that he had worn for the party pooled lightly around his them. He leaned back against the hard surface and took a sip of his drink.
"Just getting back from the party?" he inquired softly.
My brows rose in surprise before I could stop them, however he averted his gaze looking at the far wall. So this was it? I had been expecting several crude comments about my nighttime habits, or at least a few `If you had a man' jokes. But it looked like against all odds and despite my hours of worrying he was just going to pretend like it hadn't happened. I felt some of the tension slide from my body and took a smaller sip of my beer.
"No," I muttered with a dainty hitch of my shoulders. "I went out for a walk, you know a bit of air."
He gave me a fleeting look then looked back down at his bottle "Mmm, how bad were things when we left?" I scoffed and he winced "That bad huh?"
I shrugged "I had to go a few rounds with Ron and Harry, but other than that…" I made a face. "Oh and one with Dean," I took a larger sip of beer.
Malfoy shot me a surprised look "Thomas? I'm not surprised about Weasley and Potter, but Thomas?"
I gave a wave of my hand "That had nothing to do with you."
He arched a questioning brow.
I sighed, normally I would never dream of telling any of this to Malfoy but I was tired of keeping my own council. "It was about Harry, Dean thinks I'm not over him yet."
Both of the blonds brows rose and he swirled his drink "Are you?"
I frowned "Am I what?"
"Over Potter?"
"Yes, of course I am." I glared "I even helped Hermione get ready for their first date."
His brows furrowed and he cocked his head to the side. "Granger and Potter?"
I snorted and rolled my eyes "Of course, where have you been?"
"In America," he stated simply sipping on his drink thoughtfully. "Wow… can't say I'm surprised."
I looked at him "Really?"
He smirked "Were you? I mean come on -the two of them were practically joined at the hip at Hogwarts. Her unwavering loyalty towards him was quite admirable in man's best friend kind of way. And makes the whole thing totally obvious," he chuckled and gave a mirthful shake of the head. "Honestly, it's about bloody time."
"Glad you think it's great," I grumbled glaring at him.
"And you don't?" he arched an annoying brow once more "And here I thought you were over him…"
I huffed and took another large gulp of my beer "Where's Tiffany?" I asked rushing to change the subject.
He gave a low chuckle at my abrupt switch of the topic. "Sleep, she was completely knackered."
"I bet," I muttered before realizing.
He gave a grin and I blushed "Well she did have a very," his grin changed to a smirk "hard, night."
"Ha-ha," I grunted, looking down and wishing the heat would recede from my face. Malfoy gave a low laugh. "Why aren't you sleep?" I pressed, "You're night was just as hard, if not harder," I retorted cheekily.
He gave a subtle smile and looked down "I don't sleep very well," he replied before taking a sip of his drink. "I'm going to go ahead and head home."
"Without saying goodnight to Tiff?" I asked arching a brow.
He smirked "I told her goodnight before she passed out, see you later Red."
I opened my mouth then closed it, settling for a small nod. "See ya Blondie."
He gave a small smile and disapparated. As I stared at the spot where he had been standing before, I couldn't stop myself from wondering what he meant when he said he didn't sleep well… or from wishing I could help him to.
********************
I tapped my fingers lightly against the dark table top, my head lifting every once and a while as I glanced around the dimly lit restaurant for the person that was supposed to be meeting me here. When the door opened and a beautiful tall leggy blond walked in taking off her wide brimmed pink hat and shaking out her long tresses I sighed and lifted another breadstick from the little basket in front of me. Sparing a glance at my watch I frowned -he was fifteen minutes late.
I had been surprised to return home one afternoon and find a brown postal owl waiting for me carrying a small letter tied to its leg. Feeding the animal a treat and removing the post I observed the scratchy handwriting that had written Malfoy on the front warily. I had paid extra to make sure that my owl posts were screened by being sent to a fake address first and then routed here. It was a very intricate system but the occasional hate mail and hexed letters still got though.
Setting the correspondence on the table I had pulled out my wand and used it to open the letter, then after waiting thirty seconds with nothing happening I picked the missive up. To say I was shocked to see who it was from would be an understatement unless you add the words awed and a bit nervous to the mix. After reading the contents and request written I jotted down a quick response adding a time and place that good for me for the suggested for a meeting before sending the letter back. This time using my own eagle owl for the delivery.
Now here it was, two days later and it looked as though I just might get stood up. Sighing I broke the breadstick in half and took a bite, as I raised my hand to order a refill from the muggle waiter I halted. Taking a deep breath I exhaled slowly and stood as the person I was here to meet was shown to my table. Giving a small smile and a slight nod I greeted my guest.
"Mr. Crabbe," I said, reaching out and giving his hand a firm shake.
"Draco," he replied, returning the gesture before taking his seat.
"May I get you anything to drink sir?" the waiter asked once we were both seated.
"I'll have another glass of Chardonnay -Mr. Crabbe?" I inquired lifting a hand in his direction.
The older man frowned slightly, looking of the wine menu for a moment before responding "The same," he said without sparing the waiter the slightest glance.
Giving a dip of his head the young waiter slipped away, returning a moment later with the bottle. After showing the label and year to Mr. Crabbe, since I had already seen it, he then poured each of us a glass.
"Will there be anything else? An hors d'oeuvre perhaps -or would you gentlemen like a moment to look over the menu?"
I gave a glance to the older man who was looking down at the menu in question and not at all inclined to answer. "Give us a moment if you will, I'll signal you when we're ready."
"Of course sir," the waiter replied before bowing his head lightly and leaving us.
"Disgusting muggles," Mr. Crabbe griped as soon as the other man was out of hearing range. "Can you believe how we're being treated? Forced to interact with this filth like common mudwallowers."
"So how are you these days sir?" I inquired treating his question as though it were rhetorical.
He grunted "Doing a hell of a lot better than you, or so I've heard." He leaned back and in seat, his beady eyes appraising me from under bushy brows. "I hear you've been pretty much forced to live with these filthy muggle trash."
I arched a brow and took a sip of my drink, choosing not to comment.
"Too bad, you had such potential. Though I hear that your father is making quite the splash in the states."
I nodded "Naturally, you know father -can't live without being the center of at least some branch of power."
"Yes, I know your father," he replied, I shifted a bit at the underling malevolent tone in the short statement.
"So what can I do for you sir?" I inquired, picking up my drink and swirling it lightly in the glass. "Your letter said that you had something you needed to ask of me."
He shook his head lightly as if banishing stray thoughts and nodded "Of course. Well I recall how close you and my Vincent were during your years at Hogwarts."
I nodded "Yes sir, best mates since first year. He, Goyle and I were inseparable."
"So I've heard," he replied with a slightly cold smile; I took another sip of my drink and averted my gaze. "Well I was hoping, in memory of that friendship, I could ask a small favor of you."
My eyes went back to his. "What kind of favor?"
"A small one," he smiled again and once again it didn't reach his eyes. "I would have contacted you sooner but those of us without the resources or liberty to just start our lives over are being watched pretty closely by the Ministry these days."
"I understand, sir," I muttered nodding stiffly.
"You see," he leaned forward once more, resting his elbows on the elegant table "as of late some of us have fallen on -hard times. I don't know if you've noticed but finding a job within the wizarding community is veritably impossible for people like us."
I gave a wry smile. "Actually I have."
He smirked. "Yes well from what I can tell," he looked around the lavish muggle restaurant and then pointedly at my new tailored suit, "you don't seem to be suffering too much of a financial crunch."
I gave a hallow smile, "I do seem to be making it though."
"My wife and I are in need of a few… accoutrements for a new flat that we just purchased in a more selective wizarding community. We were also hoping to acquire a new headstone for Vincent. I was wondering if perhaps…"
"Of course," I nodded, reaching into the interior pocket of my waist coat I pulled out a small draftbook for Gringots. "How much?"
He gave a cold smile, pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket and slid it across the table to me. Arching a brow I picked up the note and opened it, my brows rose at the amount written -it was almost half of all the money that father had given me. Licking my lips lightly I smirked and nodded before removing the pen from my draftbook and writing a bank note for the requested amount of funds. Tearing the paper from the book I waved it once to make sure that the ink was dry then slid it across the table to the older man.
Taking the small piece of paper he glanced over the amount before folding it and placing it in his waistcoat pocket. "It's always a pleasure dealing with you Draco."
"And you sir," I gave a fake smile. "Is there anything else?"
"No, nothing," he shook his head "I should be on my way -these muggle establishments give me the hives," he gave a small shudder and slowly stood from the table. When he paused halfway up I mentally cringed, as painful as handing half of my money over to him was, I had known it was too easy. "Actually… there is one, more tiny thing."
I arched a brow and leaned back I my seat, crossing my arms over my chest "And that would be?"
He sat once more "Well… I've heard from a reliable source that you've been seen associating with the female Weasley."
I stiffened slightly and gave a small incline of my head making sure to keep my expression guarded.
"Now I'm not even going to ask what your affiliation is with the little mudwallower and her blood traitor family," he paused as if waiting for me to supply him with the answer anyway. I reached forward and picked up my wine, swirling it once before taking a small sniff and he smiled that smile of his again. "Whatever your reasons may be we find that they may in fact be beneficial to our plans."
I lifted a brow "We?"
"Yes we, you don't think that just because the Dark Lord is gone we've all decided to scamper away with our tails between our legs like bad little puppies do you? Some of us believe in what we fought for enough to continue to fight for it," he tilted his head and studied me. "We were hoping that that was the reason you had returned."
"What does Re- the redheaded Weaslette have to do with this?" I quizzed evading having to make a comment on his last statement.
"Weaslette?" he smiled, this time a real one. "I like that. What she has to do with this is her ties to Harry Potter."
I frowned "You guys want to go after Potter?" When he gave a slow nod I scoffed. "Just how do you guys plan to succeed where Voldemort failed?"
His eyes narrowed "You dare call the Dark Lord by his name?" I looked down at the tablecloth, suddenly feeling like a youth of sixteen again. "Perhaps you've spent too much time being pampered in the states, huh little Prince?" he sneered.
"What does me knowing Weasley have to do with Potter," I stated bluntly moving back to the original subject.
He continued to glare at me for a minute, making sure that I was aware of his displeasure before answering. "That is not your business. Not until we can be sure that you'll be loyal," his eyes flicked over me. "Something that I find myself doubting right now. For now you will be with assisting us on a need to know basis only."
"Well I need to know what it is you want me to do," I smirked.
"You need to get Weasley alone and to a particular location."
I frowned, "For what?"
"Didn't we just go over this Draco my boy? -Need to know."
I exhaled, "I don't think that I can."
"That's the problem, you don't think. Put your mind to it and get it done," he replied.
"But Weasley would never listen to me," I countered.
"Please Draco, manipulation is in your blood. You are a Malfoy after all," he retorted with a bored look.
I scoffed, why did people always say `you're a Malfoy' like that just explains everything? "Weasley doesn't trust me, none of them do."
He frowned, "Get her to trust you."
"I don't know how."
He leaned forward. "That's bollocks and you know it Draco, you have women following after you like the Pied Piper. The way you talk the way you are, you exude the same type of pretentious confidence that women eat up."
"Obviously you haven't met Weasely, she despises pretentious people. Has no patience for them."
"Obviously you've been around her to know what she likes and what she doesn't," he returned. "So what I suggest is that you use what you know to get what we need."
"I'm not-"
"Cut the shite," he hissed interrupting me. "I find myself vastly disappointed Draco. Here I thought that you were the one and possibly only Malfoy that we could count on. Now it turns out that you've turned just as much traitor as your father." He scoffed "And to think, my only son followed you into the pits of hell and died there -while you sit here cozying up to muggle filth and blood traitors, living it up after his demise. You know what I think? I think you should have been the one to die that day, at least my Vincent cared about his people. He cared about a new world with a bright future for true wizards."
I dropped my gaze to my napkin as his comment hit its mark and caused my chest to ache with pain and my mind to swarm with thoughts of guilt.
He stood "When you've decided just where your loyalties lie and that you want to do something useful with the life you've been blessed to keep for all of the other true pure wizards out there. Then let me know," he leaned forward and finished in a whisper "When you're ready to find me I'll be at the cemetery on the side labeled for the undesirables, kneeling at my son's empty gravesite."
I listened, my eyes still fixed on my napkin, as his chair scrapped nosily against the expensive hardwood floor and the matradee wished him good day. My hand clenched the thick white cloth and I mentally berated myself for the thousandth time for ever returning to England. Waving off the waiter when he inquired as to if I needed anything I released a shaky breath and closed my eyes. Once again asking myself if Potter had made a mistake the day that he saved me and once again wondering if he ever asked himself the same thing.
A.N. Now don't kill me for the Draco/Tiff thing, this is a Draco/Ginny story. However I felt Gin needed a little push in the right direction to see exactly what it was she was missing. *lol* However imagine my surprise when I found out what a little voyeur she was *smirk* ANYWAY thanks for reading and PLEASE REVIEW!
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