Disclaimer: Characters belong to JK Rowling.
Chapter 1: The Assignment
Ginny Weasley entered the atrium of the Ministry of Magic with a spring in her step. Today was the first day of her new job; now fully qualified as a Healer after three long years, she was entering the Ministry to be a Healer among Magical Law Enforcement. This, she considered, was fulfilling her life's ambition, combining her passion for healing with the excitement of espionage and battle.
Tossing her pony tail of glossy red hair over the other shoulder, she smiled at the receptionist, asking politely for a man named Henry Dufont.
"Third floor, second office on the right, darling," the blond replied, looking up at her in slight surprise.
Nearly fifteen minutes and several wrong turns later she found herself outside a large mahogany door, adorned with a gold plaque saying Sir Henry Dufont, Minister for Magical Law Enforcement and Matters of Highest Secrecy. She rapped the gold, phoenix shaped knocker purposefully three times.
"Come in," announced a deep voice.
Despite dressing in her best work clothes and spending a darn sight longer on her hair than she normally would, on entering the office, complete with chandelier and drinks cabinet, Ginny felt remarkably shabby. Unconsciously straightening her cream blouse in the hope that it would iron itself, Ginny introduced herself and offered her hand. "Hello, I'm Ginevra Weasley, recently graduated as a Healer, and this is my first day here in Law Enforcement. I was told to report to you, and I'm terribly sorry if I have the wrong person, but..."
Sir Henry looked kindly up at her over a pair of reading glasses; he was wearing a very formal Muggle suit, and his jet black hair was shot with grey. "Ah yes, Miss Weasley, a pleasure to meet you. May I get you a drink? Gin and tonic?"
"Oh, well," Ginny stammered, taken aback and uncertain what the correct response was considering it was her first day on the new job, but she recovered herself thinking that she might as well make the most of any perks the job had to offer, "that would be lovely, thank you."
Sir Henry went over to the drinks cabinet and busied himself with the beautiful glass decanters. He examined her briefly over the top of his glasses, leaving Ginny feeling terribly self conscious under his scrutiny, until he smiled kindly once again, his eyes twinkling and handed her a glass.
"You may be surprised at this rather unusual reception in my office, but I received your papers from your mentor, one of my staff, and have decided on an important assignment for you under my personal supervision. I apologise for not having had the chance to introduce you to your team, but due to the immediate nature of this assignment, time has not allowed for the usual settling in period. I do hope you'll forgive me."
Ginny smiled politely, and sat down in one of the faded maroon leather armchairs. "Of course."
"If I may, I will start with some background. My position as Minister for Law Enforcement does not just involve the management of the hundreds of members of the squad and Aurors, but also to take a personal interest in the more sensitive matters regarding international security. Spy work, if you wish to put it bluntly. Now, it is a rare occasion that we get female members of the squad, especially ones as lovely as yourself..."
XXXXX
Draco Malfoy also found himself outside Sir Henry Dufont's door exactly two hours after Ginny Weasley left. It had been a particularly tedious morning in his office, and the failure of his team to secure a petty criminal for his third magical secrecy offense resulted in the sacking of one especially slovenly member of his staff and sending his secretary off crying to the lavatories. He had not attained his title as the youngest (and most feared) member of the Ministry Executive Committee without reason.
He bypassed the ridiculous phoenix shaped door knocker and strode into the room heading straight for the drinks cabinet, admiring his reflection in the glass as he did so.
"Henry, remind me never to allow my secretary to hire my staff for me again. Women are secretaries simply because they do not have two brain cells to rub together to use for anything other than washing and ironing. Intuition, my ass. Whisky?"
"A small one, thank you." Sir Henry didn't look up as he finished working his way through some papers, signing his elegant signature at the bottom every few pages. Draco took a seat in the same armchair Ginny had sat in just that morning, sipping his whisky and stared morosely out of the window, which magically depicted a rainforest where a monkey was swatting at a very large looking snake.
Finally, Sir Henry shuffled his papers and took off his glasses, leaving them hanging on a golden chain around his neck. "Bad morning, Draco? In fact, don't answer that, I've already had Melinda in here complaining about your 'attitude' and 'lack of respect.' You really must keep a hold on that temper of yours, you know, I would like to keep some of my staff in operation. But anyway, it is of little consequence, as you will be out of the office from tomorrow onwards with a new assignment I have for you."
Draco sat up a little straighter at this and fixed Sir Henry with his full attention. "Oh yes? Please say it involves women, fine wine, seven course meals and massages."
Sir Henry chuckled at this. "Actually, yes, well, perhaps not the massages bit. We have had word from Mr Potter."
"Please tell me the speccy git has finally produced some information of worth?"
"Yes, in part. You know of his position as porter at Valsbard Castle, home of the royal family of Russia, the Sokolovs?"
Draco nodded. "Indeed, a cushy job if you as me."
"Well, he has reason to believe that a close family friend of Dimitri Sokolov, King of Russia, is working for the Nightriders, the Russian wizard mafia, and intends to overthrow the Russian monarchy."
Draco raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow. "And how is this our concern?"
"Firstly, the Nightriders have stemmed from what was left of Voldemort's followers since he was killed nearly four years ago now, so there is the moral issue of their British origin. But most importantly, the Nightriders are well known for their belief that Muggles should be ruled by the wizarding community. If they were to somehow to become rulers of Russia, which is a high possibility with their infiltration of the Russian government, they would expose the magical world to Muggles. Muggles at the current time pose little thread to wizards, but with a bit of magical input into the ruling of Muggle armies, particularly Russian, this could have very serious international consequences."
Draco nodded, and despite his carefully schooled features of indifference, those who knew him well were able to see his eyes were sharp as he considered the problem from every angle.
"Obviously, this is based solely on the word of Mr. Potter, but despite your continual lack of respect for the young man, he is a very valued member of our team and we have every reason to trust his information. What we need is someone to get closer to the situation and to the royal family, to assess the threats, and highlight members of the mafia who need to be removed. Solely a research assignment, no action must yet be taken; as you can tell this is a very sensitive matter."
Sir Henry stood up from his desk and took a file from the top draw of his cabinet and handed it to Draco. "Here is a file containing the backgrounds and photographs of every member of the Russian royal family as well as a report from Harry, make sure you read it well before you travel."
Draco glanced down at the thick folder in his hands, unable to quell the excitement building in his stomach, his first true spying project! "So when do I leave? And under what disguise?"
Sir Henry smiled. "Your mother, formally Narcissa Black, is a second cousin of the Russian Queen, Katerina Sokolov. You may know of this distant connection already, although I doubt much attention was paid to it. Your family always highly disapproved of the Russian relatives choice to immerse themselves in Muggle lives, monarchy or not. You are to visit Valsbard castle, under the guise of travelling the world with your new wife, and to re-ignite the connection between your own family and the distant Russian cousins."
Draco raised his eyebrow even higher, "My new wife, Henry? Here was I falsely believing I was a happy bachelor?"
Henry took a sip from his whisky. "Yes, we have a suitable new recruit, recently graduated as a Healer, who will pose as your other half. It is of course essential to your disguise that you maintain appearances; I need not warn you of the consequences of any suspicion among the Russian mafia..."
Draco cast his mind to all the current female members among Law Enforcement. While nothing detrimental could be said about the appearances of the secretaries - he himself had first hand experience of some of their better assets - the female Aurors tended to be brutish and highly unattractive, and a high proportion of them were not even interested in men. He said as much to Sir Henry, glowering at the twinkle he could see in Henry's eye.
"Surely, with such an important assignment you would be able to produce a satisfying marriage performance even with the likes of Milicent Bulstrode?"
Draco glared at Sir Henry, conveying his disgust with a meer look.
Sir Henry chuckled, "There's no need to worry, her name is Ginevra Weasley, a pretty young thing."
Draco felt like he'd been doused in cold water and growled. "Weasley? The littlest Weasley? You must be joking. There is no way I'm going on an assignment with her. Weasleys and Malfoys never work together, they're below us. Besides, that mousy little creature I remember from Hogwarts would never be believable as a wife of mine!"
Sir Henry stood up and shuffled his papers, having had enough of the conversation. "The matter is decided Draco, this is not open for discussion. You are to meet Miss Weasley at ten o'clock tomorrow morning at the Apparition hub in Kings Cross. I will have someone to meet you there with your furs; winter at Valsbard castle is not to be trifled with."
XXXXX
Ginny thudded down the stairs of the flat she shared with Luna and another girl from her Healer school, Harriet, wearing loose jogging bottoms and a black strap top. She was mid way through packing as many of her best clothes into her worn suitcase as possible, with growing dismay at how unsuited she would be to life in a palace. On entering the kitchen she saw a dishevelled looking Ron and Hermione brushing soot off their clothes from their recent trip out of the fireplace, and swung them into a big hug.
"I'm going to Russia tomorrow!" She announced by way of introduction, and hurried over to put the kettle on.
"What? But, you've only just started your job, Ginny! Will you be out there with Harry?" Questions were fired at her from the shocked pair. They had got married the year before and were living in a small flat in London, and very happy, to the point Ginny often felt queasy around them.
"Well, you know I can't tell you much, what with the Secrecy act and everything. I know Harry is there, but I think I'm not meant to know him..." She had split up with Harry as soon as he'd left Hogwarts, content with remaining friends despite a couple of advances he made after the war. She knew he would always be just like a brother to her, though at times she did wish she would feel a bit of her infatuation for him as she had during her school years.
"How exciting Ginny! But you must be careful. I do worry about Harry out there in that freezing weather, you will watch out for each other won't you?" Hermione questioned, concerned for her friends' welfare.
She took the steaming cups of tea over to the table and gestured for them to sit down. "Of course. I'll be fine. But tell me, how are you both getting on in your new flat?"
They continued with their light hearted chit chat for a while longer, discussing the antics of Ginny's various brothers. Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes was going from strength to strength, with Fred and George considering opening a second store in the north. Charlie was in and out of the country with his dragon farm, and Bill and Fleur were happily married with a little boy on the way.
Finally, conversation strayed back to her looming trip to Russia. "I can't believe they're sending you out there all on your own, and without any training." Hermione was saying, looking pensive.
"Oh, I'm not going out there alone," Ginny replied, pondering her next few lines, and knowing she'd have to break it to her brother some time that she was going on an extended holiday with his arch enemy. "You see, I'm going with Draco Malfoy."
"You what?" shouted Ron, slamming his mug down on the table and standing up.
"I know, Ron, its not ideal, and God knows I sure as hell don't want to be going with him either, but a job is a job," she spread her hands showing that there was nothing she could do about it. She hadn't seen Draco since their Hogwarts days, but knew of his position within the Ministry and despite his questionable involvement in the war, had been working for the benefit of wizardkind ever since.
"That stuck up brat better keep his hands off you or I'll..."
"You'll what Weasel? Blind me with your ever reddening face?" Draco Malfoy stepped casually out of her fireplace, dressed in impeccable black robes. "Mudblood" he nodded to Hermione.
This sent Ron into a frenzy as he grabbed Draco by the neck and pushed him up against the wall, muttering "What did you call my wife? What did you call my wife? Take that back!"
Ginny decided she ought to step in and forcefully elbowed Ron out of the way, "That's enough Ron! Not in my kitchen!" Then she turned to face Draco, pulled back her arm and punched him hard in the stomach. Hermione let out a brief, admonishing, "Ginny, he's not worth it."
But Ginny wasn't done. "Don't you dare call my best friend that ever again. If you think you can enter my kitchen unannounced and insult my friends you have another thing coming. I have no time for arrogant bastards like you and if we're going to get along for the next couple of weeks your attitude will need to change!"
Draco straightened up and surveyed Ginny coldly, watching as she huffed, eyes flashing, and regained some control on her temper. He admired her petite frame and delicate features, so in contrast with the mess of flaming red hair piled up at the back of her head in a clip and considered what a refreshing change it was to have someone not fawning over his every move. "I couldn't give a damn whether we get along or not" he replied; although this was not entirely true. Aware that he sounded more than a little sulky, he smirked cruelly over at Ron and Hermione. "I think the riff-raff need to leave the house as we have important matters to discuss... wife."
Ron looked ready to murder, but was silenced by a restraining hand by Hermione. "What does he mean by wife, Ginny?"
"Our disguise in Russia is as husband and wife," Ginny replied coolly, glaring at Draco. She had hoped to keep that bit of the assignment quiet. "Ron, Hermione, it's been good to see you, but I have some business to attend to with Malfoy here." She continued after a glare from Ron, "I am perfectly capable of looking after myself, thank you, Ron. I'll Owl you guys as soon as I arrive."
After pulling them into another quick hug, she shooed them off into the fireplace.
Turning back to Draco, she saw him lazing against her kitchen table, casually drinking from her own unfinished mug of tea with a smirk on his face. "You know, I always knew Weasels were poor, but I didn't realise you were dirty as well," he said, eyeing Luna's rather large pile of dirty dishes sitting next to the sink.
Ginny reddened, but ignored his comment. "You as well, Malfoy, I'll see you in the morning. Anything you have to say to me can be before we Floo in the morning. Goodnight."
"Weasel, I've come all this way," he whined in his best puppy dog voice which had most girls melting at his feet.
"I don't care. I need to pack. Any future business engagements must be arranged in advance. I'll see you at nine am in your office at the Ministry. We will talk there. Now get out of my house."
Draco looked sulky and fixed her with a hard stare. Finally, he sighed, and reached into gown pocket before pulling out a ring and holding it out to her. "Marry me," he said with a smirk and a dancing light in his eyes.
Ginny was taken off guard for a moment before glaring at him and taking the ring. "In your dreams, Ferret boy," she retorted, although the corner of her mouth twitched slightly as she tried not to laugh. How jealous Pansy Parkinson would be right now!
"So ungrateful," Malfoy drawled in return, before grabbing a fistful of Floo powder and disappearing into the fireplace.
Ginny stared for a while longer as the flames from the fire danced in diamonds in the ring. Surely, the Ministry assignment did not call for such a beautiful and invaluable piece of jewellery?
XXXXX
Ginny's magical alarm woke her from a dream, but when she cast her mind back to it, all she could remember was a pair of light grey eyes. She turned blearily over to the clock, where it read seven am, in blinking gold digits.
Suddenly, she leapt out of bed, catching sight of her packed suitcase and remembering why she was up so especially early. Today, she was going to Russia with no other than the arrogant, spiteful, yet undeniably attractive Draco Malfoy.
A/N: I would be grateful for any reviews, good or bad!