Disclaimer: Characters are owned by JK Rowling, the song was sung by
George Strait, but I looked all over the internet and couldn't find the
producer, writer, etc. So I hope they'll forgive me for not giving them
credit. It's a great song! More fluffiness!
You Look So Good in Love
The bell above the door tinkled as the couple walked into the Leaky
Cauldron. The young man seated in a dark booth near the rear of the common
room watched them with keenly as they removed their cloaks, the man
gallantly taking the cloak from the woman's shoulders and using the
occasion as an excuse to brush her neck with his fingers. Her eyes
sparkled as she looked up at him, a lovely pink flush spreading over her
smooth creamy cheek. The man in the booth clenched his fists. He knew
them both, the woman better than her companion. He'd known them for years.
In fact, the lovely woman in the long, sapphire blue robe that so
complimented her pale skin and shining red hair could have been his, if
he'd not been so stupid. The box in the corner played an old Muggle
country and western tune. The young man listened, watching the happy
couple and feeling his heart break again.
1 Oh how you sparkle, and oh, how you shine
The blush on your cheek is more than the wine
And he must do something that I didn't do
Whatever he's doing, it looks good on you
The couple were seated and sat close together, talking softly. The young
man in the booth thought back a few years. The woman, little more than a
girl at the time, had been devoted to him. He knew it, was even a bit
amused by it. He had even cruelly led her on for a few months. He knew
he'd hurt her badly. But at the time, he had wanted someone else. A
different girl who was older and more experienced. She had been exotic and
he'd wanted her with a desperation that had bordered on obsession. Then,
when he had finally won her, he'd found that she was just another girl.
There was nothing special about her. Not that there was anything wrong
with her either, but it hadn't been at all what he'd imagined. Her
conversation was dull, her intellect average. And he'd found that it took
hours, morning and evening, to achieve that clear-skinned, bright, fresh,
non-made up look he loved. He'd been astounded (as most males are when
they realize how much make up it takes for some women to look natural) at
the time spent on her appearance. And she had been possessive and jealous.
He sighed. He'd finally got the girl he wanted, and he discovered he
really wanted the girl he'd hurt. His eyes moved to the couple's booth
again. Lord, she was beautiful. He had seen her many times first thing in
the morning, being such a close family friend and staying in her family's
home. Her beauty was that of the girl next door, but he discovered that
that girl had grown up.
2 You look so good in love
You want him; it's easy to see
You look so good in love
I wish you still wanted me
The couple's drinks came; the man was drinking what looked like wine or
champagne, the woman drinking a soft drink. Her companion lifted his glass
to her, smiled into her eyes and said a few soft words. Even from the
booth in the rear, the young man could see the woman's eyes soften with
adoration. She lifted her glass in a quiet toast, then both took small
sips. Then he leaned over and took her lips gently, in a heart-wrenchingly
soft kiss. The young man turned away, regret rising up in him like a vile
cancer. That could have been him, if only.
3 He must have stolen some stars from the sky
And gave them to you to wear in your eyes
I had my chances, but I set you free
And now I wonder why I couldn't see
You look so good in love
You want him; it's easy to see
You look so good in love
I wish you still wanted me
The young man finally looked up again. The couple had moved on to their
dinner. At that moment, old Tom, the proprietor, came to their table and
spoke quietly to them. The man looked apologetically at the woman, but she
shook her head and smiled. He smiled back and gave her another soft kiss.
Then he stood and followed Tom away. The young man in the booth saw his
chance. He might have thrown away any possibility of getting her back, but
he had to let her know what he felt. He at least had to try. He quickly
stood and hurried to the woman's table.
(spoken)
Darlin', I spent a lot of years not seein' the real you.
But tonight your beauty is shinin' through.
And I never took the time to let you know,
But before he takes you away
Please let me say.
Ginny jumped slightly as Harry Potter slid into the seat opposite her. She
hadn't seen him in months and smiled brightly.
"Harry! Where have you been? It's great to see you!" She reached across
to take his hand and squeeze it. Harry let her, then pulled his hand
quickly away.
"Ginny," he said softly. "I saw you come in, but you know how things are
between me and Draco."
Ginny's smile faltered a bit. "Yes, I know. And I'm sorry for it. You
two went through so much together." Then she brightened. "But you look
great! Professional Quidditch seems to agree with you! How is it going?"
Harry waggled his hand in a 'so-so' manner. "It's not as much fun when
it's your job. Besides, the schedule is grueling. How have you been? You
are more beautiful than ever."
He hadn't meant to say the last, but it had slipped out. Ginny's cheeks
flushed slightly, but she answered easily.
"Oh, nothing as exciting as what you're doing, being on the road, a new
destination every week. We just bought a house and I'm going to be
spending all my off time trying to fix it up. Draco'll be helping, if the
Ministry ever gives him some time off. And the boys will come by to help,
too."
Harry digested the information. He always did picture Ginny with the small
house and white picket fence. He just never imagined her there with anyone
else, especially not Draco Malfoy. He cleared his throat uncomfortable.
"So, you're still working? How is St. Mungo's?" He was trying to keep the
conversation light, trying to draw the moment out.
Ginny laughed. "Still there. Talk about a grueling schedule! I'm on
twelve hours, off twelve, on three days, off three days. But not for
long!"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked. "Are you moving out of 'Emergent Care'?"
If it was possible, the woman in front of him became even more beautiful.
She positively glowed!
"No, I'm quitting! I'm-that is, we--, uh, Draco and I are going to have a
baby!" She smiled broadly, waiting to be congratulated.
Harry's heart constricted. He'd always thought there might be a chance.
Malfoy would mess up, mess around, hurt her in some way and leave the door
open for Harry to walk back in. But the Draco he'd seen tonight knew
exactly what he had. Harry now knew he had no chance at all. Finally,
through the buzzing in his ears, he heard Ginny asking him if he were all
right. No, he wasn't. All right was definitely what he was NOT. But he
focused on her again and gave a weak smile.
"I will be, Gin. Don't worry. I, uh, just came over to say something.
That is, I had something to tell you, but, uh," he trailed off, not knowing
how to proceed. Ginny touched his arm gently, and he tried again.
"I know I hurt you, Ginny. I know I behaved like an idiot. I didn't
realize what a great girl you were. I just wanted to let you know. I
realize it now. I know that I royally screwed up. I can see that you're
happy, and I wish I was the one who was taking you home tonight. But I had
to tell you. I love you, Ginny. I always will. If you asked me to take
you away right now, I'd do it. Any time!"
Ginny looked surprised, then sad. "I'm sorry, Harry. You know I'm in love
with Draco. We, you and I, would never have worked. I know that now. I'm
very happy. I don't want to hurt you, and I don't want hard feelings, but
maybe you'd better go." She turned her large, sad eyes away from him.
He'd lost.
Harry hurried out of the booth, nearly running into his old rival. Draco
looked from Harry's miserable face to Ginny's sad face. Inside he breathed
a sigh of relief. He'd always wondered, if Potter ever came to his senses,
whether Ginny would regret her choice. He'd loved her for years, but
hadn't approached her because Potter was always there, in the background.
He'd waited months after Potter had dropped her, because he didn't want her
on the rebound. And finally, miraculously, she had been his! Now, Potter
had come to his senses. But Draco's lovely, wonderful wife had turned him
down. She was Draco's, completely. He looked carefully at Harry,
hesitating, then offering his hand.
"Potter," he said in a neutral voice. "Nice to see you."
Harry looked at the hand. This was the second time Malfoy had offered his
hand to Harry. This time, however, Harry took it.
"Take care of her, Malfoy," he said, looking hard into the cold gray eyes
of his rival. "Because, I swear by all the fates, I'll kill you if you
hurt her."
Draco only nodded. Harry pulled his hand away and rushed off, out of the
'Cauldron. Draco watched him go, then slid in next to his wife.
"Are you all right, love?" he asked gently.
Ginny sniffed, then smiled slightly. "I'll be okay in a few minutes. I
just didn't expect--," she trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"I did," Draco said simply. "I knew he'd realize what he lost some day. I
just hoped you'd still think you got the better bargain."
His hesitant smile made her throw her arms around his neck.
"Oh, Draco, love! Of course I did. I knew that immediately! I love you!"
"I love you, Virginia Malfoy!"
4 You look so good in love
You want him, it's easy to see
You look so good in love
I wish you still wanted me
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