[HP] Three thousand days of innocence

Early on Tuesday morning, Ron went full steam ahead on Draco's case. "I didn't find anything that might be a new clue," he said, putting down his teacup and flipping through the files. "You've researched it thoroughly."

"I've had the same training as you," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "I know what I'm doing."

He threw a stack of papers on her desk. "I think the only thing we can do at the moment is wait for him to show up again. You'll have to hurry next time, though, Kim. Don't let Malfoy slip through your fingers again."

"Okay," Ginny said.Easier said than done.

Their conversation was still fresh in her memory when she got off work on Wednesday, and Draco called her 10 minutes later. "I'll see you in a few hours," he said.

"That's great," she replied. "I've been wanting to show you what I bought the other day."

"Something?" He raised his voice slightly. "Is that 'thing' black lace?"

"It's lace—but it's not black, it's green."

"My God, Ginny," he said exaggeratedly. "You're killing me."

She went to his flat early, Apparated to Earls Court Road as usual, and walked to his house.As expected, there was no answer, so she sat on the doorstep and waited for their return.

She decided to tell him, either tonight or tomorrow morning.Better for Ginny to tell him than someone like Harry, it would take less of a blow for him.She would tell him his real name, let him know that his parents were still alive and were anxious to see him, that he was a wizard—the whole story, about his missing past, everything he wanted to know.

After a while, she would tell him that he was wanted for murder.

At a quarter past seven, she finally heard loud chatter and laughter from the end of the quiet street.Ginny stood up and saw John, Simon, and Draco walking towards their house in their rugby uniforms, jostling and joking like any other young man.

Simon saw her first. "Ah!" he cried, spreading his arms. "That's the East, and Juliet is the sun! Hello, dear!"

"How are you, Ginny?" Ginny smiled, but she kept looking at Draco.As soon as he saw her, he never took his eyes off her.

"I wish I had a girl like that waiting for me!" said Simon, bouncing up the steps. "My dear, if you and Benjamin are not in harmony, consider me."

Ginny laughed, and finally looked away from Draco to Simon. "I'll remember," she said, and Draco wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her on the ear.

"We won't disturb you." John said, dragging Simon to the door and taking out the key. "We'll take a shower and change our football jerseys, and Mike and Julia will be waiting for us around the corner from O'Neill's bar." They entered the house, leaving Draco and Ginny standing on the porch.

"OK?" he asked softly.

"Okay," she said, and kissed him.He returned her kiss and slipped his hand under her dress.She shivered, feeling the heat build up in her belly.

"Monsieur Dubois is at the restaurant tonight, and there's an assembly line chef going to the market tomorrow morning," he murmured, kissing her chin and neck. "I don't have to go anywhere before noon."

"I'm going to work late tomorrow." She replied softly, biting his earlobe. "No one will think of me before ten o'clock."

Draco let go of her, his eyes darkening. "That's the best news I've heard today," he cried, and taking her by the hand, he led her into the house.

Simon and John were in the kitchen when they came downstairs from the shower. "Have fun, kids." John waved, his brown eyes shining. "Don't do what we won't do."

"Very reasonable suggestion, Mr. Palmer." Simon agreed, blinking exaggeratedly in Draco's direction, and the two left again.

"I hoped I'd been out of the shower when you came," Draco told her.As he spoke, he walked slowly around the kitchen, taking various pots and pans from the cupboards and placing them on the counter. "I think I stink a bit after playing rugby for two hours."

This has no effect on Ginny.Draco's skin was hot and red from the sun, but she didn't care.He's wearing another shirt, a West Ham burgundy and blue one, which complements his light, tousled hair.He looks absolutely delicious.

"Have you ever eaten duck?" he asked her. "I dug through my old cookbook this morning and found a great—"

Ginny pulled him close and cut him off with a kiss, she couldn't bear not to touch him anymore. "Do we have to eat now?" she whispered against his lips.

**

He smiled and kissed her hair. "Once I regain feeling in my toes, we'll have to do it again."