AN: Thanks to Julie for the beta!
Part One
To touch the rose unfearful
Is to meet the thorn
Pierce the heart's emotion
And feel the emptiness no more
-- Dan Haseltine, "No One Loves Me Like You"
Draco Malfoy's eyes unconsciously followed the redhead in front of him, admiring her shapely figure and sexy gait. He was about to whistle with admiration when something stopped him. It was the hair. He had not seen quite that shade of hair since… no. It could not be. What was the likelihood of meeting a Weasley in New York?
Nevertheless, it was a Weasley, he confirmed, after seeing her face when she turned the corner. Little… Ginevra Weasley, who he had subbed "Potter's Shadow" at Hogwarts. What had happened to her? The last he had heard, she was working for the Daily Prophet as a photographer. Now, here she was in his "area code", so to speak.
It had been years since he had thought of Hogwarts and his school days there. In his seventh year, there had been the huge battle between Voldemort's Death Eaters and Dumbledore's Army. He had fought for the Dark Lord only in name. In reality, he had been a spy for Dumbledore.
Those who had gone to school with him would have been shocked at this information, had they known. Draco had been his year's resident "bad boy", in every sense of the word. He had been a bully, but he had also been described as "smoulderingly glandular", the boy every girl wanted to sleep with. People viewed him as too concerned with mussing his perfect hair to bother fighting for anything. His main source of amusement in those days had been to torment those in Gryffindor house- especially those who had hung around with Harry Potter. For Malfoy and Potter to fight side-by-side would have been inconceivable to everyone except for the three people who really knew him.
Harry Potter was Draco's nemesis for seven years, up until Potter's death at Lucius Malfoy's hands. Part of the reason why Draco had begun the feud in the first place had been to set his reputation. As a Slytherin, and more importantly, as Lucius Malfoy's son, he had been expected to hate Potter on sight. Which he had, especially after Potter had been so much of an ingrate to reject his offer of friendship. Not for his father or for "Slytherin Pride", but for himself. Everything had come easily for Potter. Ever since he had "defeated" the Dark Lord as an infant, people looked up to him. Saint Potter, indeed. Whereas Draco had had to struggle for years. His father had been a brutal man until the day he had died. Physical torture, including use of the Cruciatus curse, had not been uncommon in his childhood, nor had starvation.
After the war, to escape the backlash he could only reasonably expect from both sides, he had done what many of his ancestors had done before him- immigrated to America.
Now, ten years later, here he was feeling homesick for Hogwarts, of all places. Just because of a chance glimpse of "Weasley red" on the head of a pretty girl. He chuckled to himself and resolved to look up Ginny Weasley as soon as he had wound up his appointment.
Stepping inside the restaurant where he had arranged to meet his contact, Draco was startled to see that Ginny Weasley was waiting to be seated as well. Rather than imposing himself upon her, as he would have done ten years ago, he merely observed her discreetly from his corner, admiring the marked changes that had manifested themselves in the littlest Weasley since he had last seen her.
Draco would be lying if he denied noticing how she had grown up during her sixth year, but even then, Ginny had still been a little girl. No one could call her that anymore, to be sure.
She must have somehow felt his gaze, as she turned around and looked right back at him, challenging his right to ogle her. There was no surprise in her gaze, merely annoyance. She must not recognize him. That was the only explanation
When it was his turn to speak to the maître'd, he informed the illustrious personage that he was there to meet with Gringotts' American vice president, Draco was flabbergasted when the man led him to Ginny Weasley's table. Ginny Weasley? Where is Brian? I was supposed to meet him for lunch.
She smiled graciously at him, standing up as he approached. "Mr. Malfoy, what a pleasure it is to see you again."
Had he not been a Malfoy, one would have called the expression on Draco's face awestruck. However, as he was a Malfoy, it was ignored.
"I suppose you must wonder at what I'm doing here, Malfoy," Ginny said boldly. Slightly shocked that the Weaselette could be so composed when he was on the verge of being flustered, he merely smirked.
"No, actually. I just did not recognize you, Weasley. My, my. You have come up in the world. Merlin Jacobs robes, I see. And they are new. That must be something to write home about."
When he had known her before, that speech would have been enough to make her turn tail and run, but Ginny merely pressed her lips together, a small crease forming between her beautifully arched brows, and sighed. "I suppose I gave you too much credit. I thought that you might have grown up in the past decade. Now if you will try to act with some professional courtesy, we could get this meeting over with and go our separate ways."
Draco eyed her, a bemused look hovering on his thin lips. "And here I thought that we might spend time reminiscing about our old school days at Hogwarts."
************************
Ginny Weasley sauntered out of Le Cirque de Magique, mulling over the odd meeting she had just had. It had been years since the last time she had seen Draco Malfoy. He had changed, although a spectator of their meeting would have disagreed. She had changed as well, and that was something he obviously had not counted on. Throughout the lunch, he had tried to bait her, to get her to lose her famous Weasley temper. Had he been the same Draco Malfoy of ten years ago, she would have said it was to report her to her superiors, but this afternoon she had gotten the sense that it was… habit, or something else she could not quite place.
The war had changed him; that was obvious. It had changed her as well. Once a happy member of the large and boisterous Weasley clan, she was now an orphan living 3,000 miles away from the country that had once been her home. Ginny's only family now were her co-workers at Gringott's Bank and her pet dog, Millicent.
Ginny was not Gringott's vice president, as Draco had found out. She was upper level management, and very trusted. The real vice president, Brian Jameson, had sent her to the meeting because of her prior acquaintance with Malfoy. She had tried to dissuade him from sending her, but Brian was tenacious- once he had caught hold of an idea, he would not let it go. It made him a wonderful boss and friend, but alas, it also made for some rather uncomfortable situations.
After the war to end all wars, the Great Wizarding War, Ginny had been left all alone. Harry was dead, as was Hermione. Ron had gone half-mad when Luna had died and was now in St. Mungo's. The twins had moved to China to escape the memories of the war, and Bill, Charlie, and both of her parents had been killed at the Battle of Hogwarts.
Had Ginny met Malfoy a year after the Great War, she would have pounced on him and slit his throat the moment she had seen him. She would have killed the ferret without a second thought. That was, until she had realized that Draco, not Harry, was responsible for the Wizarding world's continuing prosperity and state of Voldemort free-ness.
As a photographer for the Daily Prophet, she had been able to work side-by-side with her best friend from Hogwarts, Colin Creevey. It had been difficult to keep going, day after day. One day, she had quit her job, and gone to Hogwarts, where everything had begun and where everything had ended.
She had walked down the halls, astounded by her peers' hardiness, amazed that they could go on with their lives as if nothing had changed. After several hours of aimless wandering and odd looks, she had come across Professor Dumbledore, who was pleased, if somewhat astonished, to see her.
That day had changed her life. If anyone had needed therapy at that point, it was Ginny Weasley. Dumbledore had cleared things up for Ginny, and had let her do all of the talking and crying she had repressed. That was the day she had found out about Draco's bravery. He had saved her life, and never even told her. Not that she would have given him the chance.
Ginny let out a sigh and continued on her way back to her flat. It was actually her vacation, but Brian had coerced her into the meeting. In a way, she was happy she had seen him again. It was… closure. Something she had sorely been in need of for a while. If only she could stop thinking about the expression in a certain pair of grey eyes when they had been settled on her…
She mentally berated herself. It was Draco Malfoy, for Merlin's sake! Not some hero in a romance novel. Even though he had saved her life, he was not obligated to fall head over heels for her, or she for him.
Letting herself into her building, Ginny climbed the short flight of stairs and walked down the hallway to her roomy flat, suddenly finding herself eager for a nice cup of tea, a good book and Millicent's company.
She was lucky dogs were uncomplicated. People, on the other hand, were mysterious creatures very often misunderstood and hurting. Dogs gave love unconditionally, whereas people always had an angle.
Millicent, as she had expected, was stretched out on her normal perch, her chestnut coloured fur gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
Part One
To touch the rose unfearful
Is to meet the thorn
Pierce the heart's emotion
And feel the emptiness no more
-- Dan Haseltine, "No One Loves Me Like You"
Draco Malfoy's eyes unconsciously followed the redhead in front of him, admiring her shapely figure and sexy gait. He was about to whistle with admiration when something stopped him. It was the hair. He had not seen quite that shade of hair since… no. It could not be. What was the likelihood of meeting a Weasley in New York?
Nevertheless, it was a Weasley, he confirmed, after seeing her face when she turned the corner. Little… Ginevra Weasley, who he had subbed "Potter's Shadow" at Hogwarts. What had happened to her? The last he had heard, she was working for the Daily Prophet as a photographer. Now, here she was in his "area code", so to speak.
It had been years since he had thought of Hogwarts and his school days there. In his seventh year, there had been the huge battle between Voldemort's Death Eaters and Dumbledore's Army. He had fought for the Dark Lord only in name. In reality, he had been a spy for Dumbledore.
Those who had gone to school with him would have been shocked at this information, had they known. Draco had been his year's resident "bad boy", in every sense of the word. He had been a bully, but he had also been described as "smoulderingly glandular", the boy every girl wanted to sleep with. People viewed him as too concerned with mussing his perfect hair to bother fighting for anything. His main source of amusement in those days had been to torment those in Gryffindor house- especially those who had hung around with Harry Potter. For Malfoy and Potter to fight side-by-side would have been inconceivable to everyone except for the three people who really knew him.
Harry Potter was Draco's nemesis for seven years, up until Potter's death at Lucius Malfoy's hands. Part of the reason why Draco had begun the feud in the first place had been to set his reputation. As a Slytherin, and more importantly, as Lucius Malfoy's son, he had been expected to hate Potter on sight. Which he had, especially after Potter had been so much of an ingrate to reject his offer of friendship. Not for his father or for "Slytherin Pride", but for himself. Everything had come easily for Potter. Ever since he had "defeated" the Dark Lord as an infant, people looked up to him. Saint Potter, indeed. Whereas Draco had had to struggle for years. His father had been a brutal man until the day he had died. Physical torture, including use of the Cruciatus curse, had not been uncommon in his childhood, nor had starvation.
After the war, to escape the backlash he could only reasonably expect from both sides, he had done what many of his ancestors had done before him- immigrated to America.
Now, ten years later, here he was feeling homesick for Hogwarts, of all places. Just because of a chance glimpse of "Weasley red" on the head of a pretty girl. He chuckled to himself and resolved to look up Ginny Weasley as soon as he had wound up his appointment.
Stepping inside the restaurant where he had arranged to meet his contact, Draco was startled to see that Ginny Weasley was waiting to be seated as well. Rather than imposing himself upon her, as he would have done ten years ago, he merely observed her discreetly from his corner, admiring the marked changes that had manifested themselves in the littlest Weasley since he had last seen her.
Draco would be lying if he denied noticing how she had grown up during her sixth year, but even then, Ginny had still been a little girl. No one could call her that anymore, to be sure.
She must have somehow felt his gaze, as she turned around and looked right back at him, challenging his right to ogle her. There was no surprise in her gaze, merely annoyance. She must not recognize him. That was the only explanation
When it was his turn to speak to the maître'd, he informed the illustrious personage that he was there to meet with Gringotts' American vice president, Draco was flabbergasted when the man led him to Ginny Weasley's table. Ginny Weasley? Where is Brian? I was supposed to meet him for lunch.
She smiled graciously at him, standing up as he approached. "Mr. Malfoy, what a pleasure it is to see you again."
Had he not been a Malfoy, one would have called the expression on Draco's face awestruck. However, as he was a Malfoy, it was ignored.
"I suppose you must wonder at what I'm doing here, Malfoy," Ginny said boldly. Slightly shocked that the Weaselette could be so composed when he was on the verge of being flustered, he merely smirked.
"No, actually. I just did not recognize you, Weasley. My, my. You have come up in the world. Merlin Jacobs robes, I see. And they are new. That must be something to write home about."
When he had known her before, that speech would have been enough to make her turn tail and run, but Ginny merely pressed her lips together, a small crease forming between her beautifully arched brows, and sighed. "I suppose I gave you too much credit. I thought that you might have grown up in the past decade. Now if you will try to act with some professional courtesy, we could get this meeting over with and go our separate ways."
Draco eyed her, a bemused look hovering on his thin lips. "And here I thought that we might spend time reminiscing about our old school days at Hogwarts."
************************
Ginny Weasley sauntered out of Le Cirque de Magique, mulling over the odd meeting she had just had. It had been years since the last time she had seen Draco Malfoy. He had changed, although a spectator of their meeting would have disagreed. She had changed as well, and that was something he obviously had not counted on. Throughout the lunch, he had tried to bait her, to get her to lose her famous Weasley temper. Had he been the same Draco Malfoy of ten years ago, she would have said it was to report her to her superiors, but this afternoon she had gotten the sense that it was… habit, or something else she could not quite place.
The war had changed him; that was obvious. It had changed her as well. Once a happy member of the large and boisterous Weasley clan, she was now an orphan living 3,000 miles away from the country that had once been her home. Ginny's only family now were her co-workers at Gringott's Bank and her pet dog, Millicent.
Ginny was not Gringott's vice president, as Draco had found out. She was upper level management, and very trusted. The real vice president, Brian Jameson, had sent her to the meeting because of her prior acquaintance with Malfoy. She had tried to dissuade him from sending her, but Brian was tenacious- once he had caught hold of an idea, he would not let it go. It made him a wonderful boss and friend, but alas, it also made for some rather uncomfortable situations.
After the war to end all wars, the Great Wizarding War, Ginny had been left all alone. Harry was dead, as was Hermione. Ron had gone half-mad when Luna had died and was now in St. Mungo's. The twins had moved to China to escape the memories of the war, and Bill, Charlie, and both of her parents had been killed at the Battle of Hogwarts.
Had Ginny met Malfoy a year after the Great War, she would have pounced on him and slit his throat the moment she had seen him. She would have killed the ferret without a second thought. That was, until she had realized that Draco, not Harry, was responsible for the Wizarding world's continuing prosperity and state of Voldemort free-ness.
As a photographer for the Daily Prophet, she had been able to work side-by-side with her best friend from Hogwarts, Colin Creevey. It had been difficult to keep going, day after day. One day, she had quit her job, and gone to Hogwarts, where everything had begun and where everything had ended.
She had walked down the halls, astounded by her peers' hardiness, amazed that they could go on with their lives as if nothing had changed. After several hours of aimless wandering and odd looks, she had come across Professor Dumbledore, who was pleased, if somewhat astonished, to see her.
That day had changed her life. If anyone had needed therapy at that point, it was Ginny Weasley. Dumbledore had cleared things up for Ginny, and had let her do all of the talking and crying she had repressed. That was the day she had found out about Draco's bravery. He had saved her life, and never even told her. Not that she would have given him the chance.
Ginny let out a sigh and continued on her way back to her flat. It was actually her vacation, but Brian had coerced her into the meeting. In a way, she was happy she had seen him again. It was… closure. Something she had sorely been in need of for a while. If only she could stop thinking about the expression in a certain pair of grey eyes when they had been settled on her…
She mentally berated herself. It was Draco Malfoy, for Merlin's sake! Not some hero in a romance novel. Even though he had saved her life, he was not obligated to fall head over heels for her, or she for him.
Letting herself into her building, Ginny climbed the short flight of stairs and walked down the hallway to her roomy flat, suddenly finding herself eager for a nice cup of tea, a good book and Millicent's company.
She was lucky dogs were uncomplicated. People, on the other hand, were mysterious creatures very often misunderstood and hurting. Dogs gave love unconditionally, whereas people always had an angle.
Millicent, as she had expected, was stretched out on her normal perch, her chestnut coloured fur gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
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