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She sat at the kitchen table in Grimmauld Place, her first time out of her room since the day before. Harry and Hermione had tried to stay with her, even offering to skip work, but she refused. She needed to be alone to process the news that she, in hindsight, should have been expecting.
Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy are pleased to announce the engagement of their son, Draco Malfoy, to fellow Sacred Twenty-Eight member, Astoria Greengrass.
The warmth of her cup of tea seeped into her hands while she continued to stare at the moving photos in front of her. Draco and Astoria graced the front page of the Daily Prophet , posing for a photo that looked to be at the last Ministry Ball before Christmas, hosted at Malfoy Manor.
His arm, wrapped around her waist as he held her to his side closely. Her hand settled on his chest as she smiled like the cat who got the cream. His eyes were full of love and adoration every time he glanced down at her, looking at her like she hung the moon.
The way he used to look at me
Following the announcement was a long section all about the newly engaged couple, how they met, their families and their nuptial plans. Ginny didn’t read any of it. She continued to fixate on Draco’s thumb, rubbing slow circles on Astoria’s hip, where it rested.
A tear slid down Ginny's cheek and landed straight on Draco’s face, blurring it and she used the back of her hand to wipe furiously at her eyes.
She had to hand it to Narcissa, getting this announced and public the day before the Families of The Fallen charity ball was genius. It’s all anyone would be able to talk about that week and Ginny wished, for the hundredth time, that she could just skip the whole ordeal, but being that it was technically her charity, she couldn't skip it no matter how much she wanted to.
“Gin, please stop obsessing over that photo.” Harry came up behind her and took the paper from the table. “He is not worth your tears.” He tossed it in the bin without a second glance and sent a quick Incendio towards it. Ever since Harry had came out and shocked the Wizarding World by getting engaged to Theodore Nott, he had become her best friend, knowing her better than she did herself some days.
Her lip trembled, the dam broke and her body was wracked with soul deep sobs. Harry pulled her into his arms and sighed, resting his chin on the top of her head.
“You don’t have to go tonight, love. I can just tell people you’ve come down with something.”
She shook her head and wiped her eyes on his shirt. “I can’t. I can’t let him know I’m still struggling with this. It's been almost eight months and I feel absolutely pathetic.” She pulled away and sniffled, “Plus who else would go and put up with your ‘Chosen One’ ego?” Ginny attempted to joke.
“Oh please, I'm a catch.” He smiled softly.
“Well, Mr. Catch, I need to go shower and then I am going to curl into bed, feel all my feelings and get them out until I have to start getting ready.” She patted a hand on his chest and walked toward the doorway.
“He never deserved your love, Ginny’.” He called after her softly.
She pretended not to hear him and made her way up the stairs and into her room. As she crossed the threshold and closed the door, Ginny stripped, walking into her en-suite bathroom.
She spent as long as she could in the shower, taking time to carefully wash her hair, scrubbing her body and just standing there, almost numb, under the water. Letting the warmth run over her, she fell into memories of him. Words he’d said, promises he had made and the future he had laid out in front of her. It had been bliss, but then he just… left .
So much for ‘you would never go away’ She thought bitterly.
Shaking her head to rid herself of the thoughts that continued to plague her, she turned off the water and stepped out, wrapping in a towel and wrapping one around her head as well. She grabbed her wand, using magic to dry off, and then went to her room and laid in her bed after dressing in a clean pair of pajamas.
As sleep took her, a final thought crossed her mind.
The whole time I've been picking up my heart, he was picking up her…
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Three hours later Ginny was getting up and getting ready. Her teeth were brushed, her makeup was meticulously applied with care, her jewelry was chosen to compliment her dress and finally her crowning achievement. Her hair. She had wrangled her hair into a neat, high updo on her head with soft ringlet tendrils coming down to frame her face.
Her dress, which she had chosen with Narcissa a little over a year ago, was a beautiful bold emerald. It was a floor length A-line skirt with a modest slit up the thigh, with a square neckline and billowy short sleeves. She moved to the full-length mirror hanging on her door and did a small twirl. The color of the dress made her pale skin look like it glowed and her red hair looked alight. She had to admit... She was stunning.
Eat your heart out Malfoy.
She smiled gently and nodded approvingly to herself. Staring at her reflection she imagined Harry beside her, her hand tucked into the crook of his elbow.
Where Draco should have been.
She shook her head and sighed.
It’s going to be a long night.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Ginny placed her hand in Harry’s outstretched one as she stepped out of the Floo; grateful he was there to steady her. She moved to place her hand in the crook of his elbow and allowed him to lead her to the open doors ahead. She glanced around the main foyer of Malfoy Manor and took a deep breath taking in the familiar scents. Theo had completely refused to step foot in the Manor after what Draco had done and had made many bodily threats about him. Ginny squared her shoulders and stood a bit taller.
You can do this.
Slowly, she and Harry made their way around, mingling with the room full of people. By the time they found their seats at their table, she was ready to go home.
Her heart stopped as she saw the names on two of the other placeholders at their table.
Draco Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass were directly across from her and Harry’s seats. When she looked at Harry’s, his didn't have a name.
Ginevra Weasley (Plus One)
The knife that had been wedged in her heart since the morning before dug even deeper.
Before Ginny could say anything to Harry, the music stopped and there was an awed silence as the doors swung open to reveal the newly-engaged couple.
Ginny didn't look at him and almost fell out of her chair seeing the dress that Astoria had worn for the evening. A spaghetti strap A-line, emerald dress with a slit up to her hip. Her blonde hair was sleek and perfect in a high ponytail that swished back and forth as she sashayed through the now clapping crowd.
Ginny watched her, holding her own breath as Astoria stopped in front of them, her chair being pulled out by Draco and sitting gracefully.
Finally, Ginny looked up and saw him.
He was as perfect as ever. His platinum blonde hair was elegantly coiffed and his dress robes had just been pressed and readied for the event. He pulled out his own seat and sat. His attention stayed on Astoria the whole time.
Just as she was about to look away, he caught her eye. His gorgeous icy gray eyes that she had spent hours staring into now looked at her as if he had never even heard her name before. No recognition in them whatsoever.
Just when she thought she’d die from the pain. The knife twisted.
He sent a smug smirk her way and wrapped his arm around Astoria’s shoulders.