Ginny had dived into the book almost as soon as she sat down. The more she read, the more sick to her stomach she became. This whole scene, the bidding, the parties, it was like one big subjugation of women. She was beginning to understand why her mother's parents walked away from this.
Merlin, would this be what it took to stay with Draco? Was this what she was up against? Not that she was really with Draco, it seemed. She hadn't seen him in a week. Not that she was surprised. She had seen the paper that morning, and how he had been out with Pansy Parkinson Saturday night.
Her attention had just shifted back to her book when she heard his voice. She looked up, "Draco, hi," she said lightly. She nodded towards the seat across from her, "Have a seat?" She didn't even get up to greet him. She knew, unfortunately, what she needed to do.