Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All rights are reserved to J.K. Rowling
So I got the chapter sooner than I expected. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as enjoyed writing it. Review and have fun
Chapter 7
The Hotel ballroom was glorious. The chandeliers had never looked brighter and the floors had never shined so well. Twenty tables that could hold eight people each formed a horse shoe around the dance floor. At the opening of the horse shoe was the stage that had a cut out of what appeared to be a thermometer. There was a gracious hostess who actually the wife of the hotel manger, on stage that was accepting donations and using a red marker to keep track of the evening's progress. Decked out in green and white table clothes that had little clovers on the edges, along with match plate and stemware, in short, the hotel never looked better.
The Four Leaf Clover was one of the oldest and most historic hotels in the downtown Area. The manager had really gone all out for the event because he felt that the community was in need of a new library. Seamus Finnigan felt that too much of the city's money went to places that didn't really need it, mainly where the upper crust lived. He really wanted to help to restore the community. Seamus wanted everyone at the Four Leaf Clover to give with a willing heart so as to reach their donation goal of 2million dollars. Seamus wanted to show everyone that the downtown area wasn't that bad of a place; that when requested to, they too could also go all out for an event.
As the guests continued to arrive Seamus did his best to greet everyone and remember who he could. As he was finished greeting an elderly couple, a familiar face happen to cross his path.
"Harry" said Seamus brightly as he vigorously shook the hand of his long time friend.
"Hey Seamus." replied Harry just as brightly "oh and you remember my girlfriend Cho of course"
"Ms. Chang" said Seamus
"Mr. Finnigan. Good to see you again as always. Um Harry" said Cho in a whispered tone "I think I'm just going to freshen up in the ladies room quickly"
"Of course of course, I'll be right here when you return" said Harry as he gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
"So Harry, what happened the other day? Me and Dean missed you on the soccer field. We were up against a new team, the Chudley Cannons. They were in top form. Especially their goalie, no one could get a single shot passed him. To put it nicely, we were murdered". Said Seamus
Seamus was referring to the neighborhood soccer team. It was something that the adult males did as some what of a family event and just to let boys be boys. Harry and Seamus were active players on their town's team, the Gryffindors. They had actually gotten quite good. There was even a local league so there could be proper matches every once in a while.
"Ouch… I'm sorry I couldn't be there but I had my mind on a lot of things that evening and I was working on a new case." said Harry as his mind flew back to Ginny and the sadness he felt for her.
"Was one of the things on your mind that lovely girlfriend of yours Cho?" said Seamus with a tiny hint of sarcasm.
"Hey now, be nice. You know that Cho was really sorry about mistaking your wife for someone else." said Harry
"Oh yeah sure, even after you and I both pointed Charlene out she still managed to assume that my wife was actually my ex-girlfriend. Right my mistake of course." Said Seamus
"Speaking of your wife" said Harry quickly changing the subject "How is she doing these days?"
"She was at the game with Patrick. He was looking every where for you. I swear he acts like you're his dad and not me." Said Seamus
"Oh you know he means know no harm. Besides you know I love kids so it's never a bother when I come to visit. In fact I cant wait to start have some of my own." said Harry with a sudden sparkle in his eye
"Why Mr. Potter. Would that look in your eye happen to mean something?" inquired Seamus
"Why I don't know what you're talking about", said Harry with a grin
"Harry is Cho-"
"Oh Cho there you are." Said Harry brightly as he spotted her returning. Well I guess we ought to find our seats. See you around Seamus and give Patrick and Charlene my best" said Harry quickly as he scooted away with Cho.
Seamus returned to his greeting and made a mental note to corner Harry later on.
Harry and Cho found that they were sitting at table12. Two couples were already seated at the table. One he recognized right away while the other he knew nothing about.
"Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall. Long time no see" said Harry as he got up heartily shook hands and hugged his high school Headmaster and Dean.
"Why Mr. Potter it has been some time" said McGonagall with a warm smile on her face
"Staying in trouble I presume Harry?" asked Dumbledore
"As always Professor. Oh and this is my girlfriend-"
"Cho Chang. Yes I remember of course. You were a few years ahead of Harry correct" asked Dumbledore
"Yes" said Cho as she blushed furiously "it's good to see you again professor".
"Same here Ms. Chang. Oh and Harry I'm not sure if you know them but this couple here is Parkinson's."
"The parents of Pansy obviously" said McGonagall with mild disgust in her voice.
"Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson" Said Harry with a slight nod of his head. They both acknowledged Cho and Harry with slight nods of their heads but nothing more.
"Well now, I wonder who the last seats at this table belong to." wondered Dumbledore out loud
X--X--X--X--X
Seamus was just about finished making his rounds at all the tables to make sure everything was going well. He was about ready to go and deliver his speech. As he was going to the front door to tell the Bellman to close it, he saw a swarm of paparazzi circled around a couple. It looked as if they were the last ones outside. Seamus quickly analyzed the situation and went to rescue who ever was being hounded. As he pushed through the crowed he spotted a blond haired man and a red headed woman. The blond haired man was doing all of the talking to the questioning reporters and photographers. He almost looked like he was enjoying it. When Seamus looked closer, he realized that it was councilman Malfoy. Seamus loudly cleared his throat.
"Ladies and gentlemen could you please let the councilman and his wife through. We are about to begin and everyone needs to be seated at once". Said Seamus
Through some grumbles and final flashes the media mob split so the couple could enter the ballroom. Some of the grumbles were even from Draco.
"My deepest apologies councilman. Had I known that so many reporters would show up I would have definitely stationed more security outside"
"Oh don't worry about it….ahh" Malfoy squeezed his wife's waste and she quickly whispered in his ear Seamus Finnigan. "Yes no worries Finnigan, getting mobbed every once in a while keeps me on my toes." Said Draco smoothly
"Well I want to be the first to welcome you to the Four Leaf Clover, this town's oldest and most historic site. I would love to bore you about facts but I'm sure you've heard enough for one evening. But I will show you to your table. Ah! Here we are, table 12" said Seamus as Ginny unknowingly paled immediately.
X--X--X--X--X
Everyone at the table looked up immediately as Seamus was blocking a couple behind him. "Well everyone's already at this table. Excellent. Now if you two would take your seats and place your orders, we'll be starting shortly." Said Seamus as he hurried off to the stage.
"Good Evening everyone. I'm sure you all know my wife, Ginny Malfoy." Forgoing his own introduction because he assumed everyone at the table at the table knew him. Quiet hellos came around. One hello was missing from a very shocked Harry
"Wilfred and Patty Parkinson, what a pleasure! I haven't seen you two in some time." Said Malfoy jovially
The once somber couple now had smiles plastered on their faces. "It has been too long Draco. You never come around anymore like you used to. And all Pansy ever talks about is the times when you and her were together and how you were the best of friends. Really you shouldn't be a stranger, come by whenever you like. We'd love the company." Said Patty as Malfoy sat down with Wilfred on his right and Ginny on his left.
Most at the table were a little shocked that patty spoke so freely about Draco's ex. Especially in the presence of his wife. Most even found it rude, except for Ginny of course.
"Professors," said Malfoy "always a pleasure. I was actually wondering if any of you had given any thought to making your teaching at Arbor Hills Prep permanent" inquired Malfoy to McGonagall
He was referring to his high school. Draco did not attend the same local high school as Harry and Seamus. He went to a private academy uptown. McGonagall teaches a trigonometry course there from time to time and her students just love her. She made everything very interesting but still had control of her class. Draco had to admit that she was a teacher that his school could really use.
"Why Minerva that would be wonderful. You could finally get out of this "area" and move to the Hills. (An affectionate term for Arbor Hills)" said a once snobbish but now quite lively Patty Parkinson
"I don't think the Hills could afford me" said McGonagall with aloofness "besides this "area" as you call it is my home. And my place is her with Albus. Nothing could give me greater joy than that." Said McGonagall with finality
"Ah well, can't blame me for trying" said Malfoy "and why is that…yes it is Harry Potter. It's good to see you again. I don't believe you've met my wife, Ginny" said Draco
"Ahh…no... I don't believe we have met." said Harry as he extended his hand to the person next to him whom he could tell was very tense at the situation. "Pleasure to meet you Mrs. Malfoy. This is my girlfriend Cho. Cho this is the councilman and his wife." Said Harry formally
"Charmed" said Cho
"Pleasure to meet you" said Ginny demurely as she quickly glanced at him then looked down.
On the stage came the booming voice of Seamus Finnigan. "Good Evening Everyone and welcome to tonight's fundraiser. Today we are trying to raise 2 million dollars to build a new library for the local children. As most of you may know the local library is strongly lacking in literature, films, and many other amenities that a regular library should have. The next local library is in the Arbor Hills section of town which is at least a 20 minute drive by car and 45 minute ride by bus. Now I don't know about anyone else here, but I for one don't want my child coming home late on the bus every time he needs to find work for a project. For this reason everyone's contribution tonight is important. Without your help where will our children be in the future? This new library will make it safer and more convenient for everyone who wants a chance at learning or enhancing their knowledge. So give with a willing heart. This library will benefit the entire community, but mainly our children and theirs because they are tomorrow's promise" said Seamus as an overwhelming applause rang through out the ballroom.
At this time Harry brought Cho's hand to his mouth for a tender kiss as he looked deeply into her eyes trying to convey all of his thoughts and emotions; he was thinking to himself that what Seamus said would finally be true for him, that his hopefully growing child would be the future. Everyone at the table was staring at Harry, even the Parkinson's, with a bit of envy in their eyes…especially Ginny. She only wished that someone would look at her like that. Once again she felt the need to cry (something that was starting to happen more often than not) she quickly excused herself from the table whispering to Draco "allergies bathroom" as she hurried off to the ladies room. Harry looked over his shoulder to the fast moving form of Ginny. Concern soon appeared on his face.
"Umm… councilman is your wife alright?" asked Harry
"Oh yes, she just has allergies from time to time. But don't worry she'll be okay" said Draco with seeming indifference. His attention quickly went back to the stage.
"Now moving on with tonight's program we will begin serving now. During dinner a small presentation will be shown. And if at any point tonight you feel the urge to make a donation, my lovely wife Charlene and our son Patrick will be here on the stage accepting donations and keeping track of the amount as the evening progresses. Thank You and enjoy." Concluded Seamus as another round of applause came.
"So professor-'but Harry was cut off by the vibrate of his phone. As he checked the screen and saw that it was Sirius he excused himself from the table. Harry went to the balcony and closed the door to drown out the music.
"Hey Sirius"
"Hey Harry. I've got a question"
"I hope I have an answer. So what is it?"
"Did you happen to see a match book at your place?"
"Yes. I left it on the coffee table because I didn't know who it belonged to."
"Excellent"
"But Sirius you don't smoke."
"No but this lovely woman I met a few nights ago in a bar had nothing to write her number on so I gave her a match book." Said a very pleased sounding Sirius
"Oh brother" chuckled Harry "Don't you think it's well past time for you to settle down with a wife. Someone who will be there with you every night."
"Well I should say the same to you now shouldn't I" countered Sirius
"Actually…I think I may have changed that…tonight" said Harry with a bit of hesitancy
"Harry, you don't mean what I think you mean…do you?"
"If you mean did I propose to Cho than the answer is yes." Said Harry with pride in his voice
"And did she say yes?"
"Well not exactly…she was a bit stunned and has been under a lot of stress lately so I told her to tell me her answer when she was ready."
"Harry I know that you've heard me say this before but maybe this time it will stick to you. You and Cho just aren't meant for each other. I don't see the spark or love that two people should have for each other in any of your eyes. I'm not trying to tell you what to do but look at it from my perspective. Has she said "I love you" to you for any reason out of the blue and not just agreeing or saying "me to "but the actual phrase?".
"Well…no but I know she feels the same way
"But shouldn't how you feel be known to the other person in a relationship both physically and verbally"
Harry was now running his hand down his face in stress. He couldn't believe he didn't have the support of the one man who he always went to with his troubles.
"Look Sirius when I get home I'll call you with the number" said Harry as he closed his phone without wanting to hear what ever else his godfather had to say.
Harry was now leaning over the balcony and looking out onto the immaculate grounds of the Four Leaf Clover. Wild flowers were everywhere. They looked wonderful underneath the moonlight. Harry always loved flowers. It was almost like he was drawn to them. All the different smells and fragrances always gave him comfort. When he was getting ready to leave the balcony a few moments later he saw someone moving down by flowers. He would've thought nothing of it if the person weren't headed toward a tree where he knew from personal experience, a huge bee hive rest.
Harry quickly sprinted down the balcony until he reached the person and shouted
"Excuse me, excuse me" he said as the person turned around. It was no other than Ginny Malfoy standing with a single flower in her hand- a white lily
"Ginny" whispered Harry. He saw it before at his place and was amazed a second time by her startling beauty. He never saw it at the table because she had her head down, but now as he gazed upon in the natural light of the moon, Ginny looked almost ethereal in a white Dior gown that ran the length of her body. The dress moved as she moved and was seductive yet subtle.
"Harry, is something the matter" asked Ginny
"I…I... was just going to warn you that there's a huge beehive in the tree you were headed toward and…hang on, don't you have allergies. Why aren't you sneezing?"
"Quite the lawyer aren't you Potter. I actually just took some of my allergy spray so I'm fine now. And besides I love flowers to much to let anything come between me and them." Said Ginny as she bought the lily to her face.
"So how are your injuries?" said Harry as a way to get his mind off her body "I almost forgot about them upstairs. You and Malfoy don't appear as if you have any problems at all."
"Well you and I both know that appearances can be deceiving"
"I beg your pardon" said Harry a little annoyed
"In the ballroom you looked at your girlfriend with adoration and love and it seemed like she was looking at you the same way, but only forced. But to someone who is not as well versed with knowing how to fake emotions as me, it would just look like what she was trying to portray" said Ginny with disgust in her voice
"Ginny as your lawyer I don't think that it's any of your business what you think you see between me and my girlfriend." Said Harry quietly but dangerously
"Well I thought you offered me your friendship back in your office. Or was that before or after you carried me to your bed" Ginny said just as dangerously
"Hermione offered you friendship, I offered you nothing" said Harry darkly as he turned his back on Ginny and walked back to ballroom to try and scrape together what was left of his evening.
X--X--X--X--X--X
When Harry returned to the table, dinner was already served and silently helped himself. A few moments later, Ginny returned and began eating her food just as quietly. During their meal a power point presentation was shown with slides of the community at its best and at its worst. The presentation started out with pictures of families doing various activities together. A few pictures brought smiles and laughs to some peoples faces. These photos were of the local sports teams in action, town functions, the church during Sunday service, and the children with their hands raised in classrooms. A few pictures were of Harry and Seamus and Dean in action on the soccer field and of the three men playing a game against their wives and spouses (a game that Cho couldn't make it to because she was busy) The not so nice pictures were of the run down buildings, cops chasing after teens, vandalized property and students, elementary and college alike, outside waiting in large groups for the bus that would take them to the library in the Hills.
"I would like to thank my wife for putting together that presentation and I would just like to announce that so far our total is 1.6 million dollars. This is great! Were almost there. Just to let everyone know, the collection has been going on for over six months now and I am very proud to see that we are closer to our goal. At this time I would like to open up the dance floor any and all couples. Remember keep giving were almost there!" ended Seamus excitedly
"Cho would you like to dance?" asked he Harry
"Of course" said Cho
"Minerva shall we" said Albus as he stood up and walked onto the floor with McGonagall.
"Ginny, dance with me" said Draco more as a command than a request
As Malfoy led Ginny onto the floor, he brought her close to him. He held her as loving husband should hold a wife, only in his case it was without the love.
"Well Ginny I'm glad that you were able to finally meet Harry Potter today" said Malfoy lamely
"I guess it's nice to meet him." said Ginny while acting a little confusedly
"I happen to come across his name in notebook of yours. You were keeping track of him for some time. It almost seemed as if you idolized the man." Said Malfoy
"I idolize no one Malfoy and you know it" said Ginny with a hard edge to her voice
"Except?" said Malfoy as he lowered his hand to Ginny's side and gave it a gentle squeeze where he knew a particular painful looking bruise was hidden. Ginny's body tensed and she gasped and replied "except you Draco, only you."
"Good. Now tonight I'm going to remind you why you idolize me so" said Draco with a sly grin. Ginny was thinking about how disappointed he would be when he remembered the she couldn't participate in any sexual endeavors at the moment.
"Oh and don't worry" said Malfoy as and after thought "you'll be the one pleasuring me tonight, and for the next several at that".
X--X--X--X--X
At the close of the evening Seamus announced that a total of 1,850,057 dollars was raised. Though Seamus appeared happy, Harry knew that appearances could be deceiving. As this thought came to mind, he remembered Ginny and the forced smile he saw on her face all night. He would never have known the smile was forced until he saw her give a real one tonight in the garden. As he and Cho were one of the last couples to leave, Patrick came to Harry and jumped into his outstretched arms.
"Uncle Harry, Uncle Harry did you hear about my brothers?" squealed a four year old replica of Seamus
"Brothers, what brothers?" asked Harry
"Oh I forgot to mention it to you earlier" said Seamus as he pulled his wife loving to his side "Charlene's 3 ½ months pregnant with twins." beamed Seamus
"Congratulations Seamus said Harry as he put Patrick down and pulled him into a brotherly hug.
"Come here Charlene and let me give you a hug before I can't even reach around you anymore" said Harry jokingly
"Ha-ha very funny Harry. And just to clarify we don't know if their girls or boys yet, Patrick just wants boys." Said Charlene
"Congratulations to both of you" said Cho "I don't know two people who deserve these children more than you two." As Cho went to give Charlene a hug, her ring got caught in her hair. When she freed it Charlene reached for her hand before she could pull it back
"Is this an engagement ring?!" cried Charlene on a frantic note that would of caught the attention of the entire ballroom if it hadn't already cleared out. Harry gently pulled Cho's hand back from Charlene's firm grasp.
"Charlene engagement rings should be on the left hand and if you haven't noticed, this one is on the right." Said Harry calmly
"Oooohhhh, thank heavens you had me scared there for a moment. I thought you two had eloped or something and hadn't told anyone. Well now Seamus…Seamus… why are you on the floor?" cried Charlene
"Because you yelled in my ear when you saw her ring" said Seamus while still holding his ringing ears
"Well if that's the case" said Charlene as she bent over to help up Seamus "than why don't you hold your ears every night"
"Because those are screams that I want to hear…and soon to" said Seamus with a wink.
"Well Harry, Cho it has been lovely to see you all. It's well past our bed time and you know that we need at least 12hours of sleep to be happy in the morning so we'll see you all later than" said Charlene as she picked up Patrick and literally dragged Seamus off to their cottage behind the hotel.
"Goodnight you two. And oh yeah Seamus my donation. I forgot to give it in" said Harry as he hurriedly filled in the check, folded it and gave it Seamus.
Harry then quickly escorted Cho to their waiting car and left Seamus to be dragged to their home by his over anxious wife. As soon as Seamus got Patrick down to bed, he went back into his room to find his wife waiting for him in a bubble bath. He knew what this meant as he hurriedly got undressed. As he was about to step into the tub to happily plunder his wife he saw the check on the floor that Harry gave him and decided to pick it up before it got soaked. When he unfolded the check and looked at the amount, he was stunned.
X--X--X--X--X
Harry sat in the car quietly with Cho resting on his chest. He was thinking that right about now Seamus would be opening the check and it was for 149,943 dollars. The exact amount that was needed to reach the 2 million dollar goal.
"Colin could you stop at this drugstore really fast" asked Harry
"Certainly Mr. Potter" said Colin as he pulled over
When Harry returned to the car he had a brown bag in his hand.
"Harry what's in the bag" asked Cho
"Wouldn't you like to know" said Harry with a smirk
Cho decided to take it forcefully. She slid over to Harry on the chair and began placing open mouthed kisses along his neck and jaw. She then proceeded to nibble on his ear which she knew was one of his weaknesses. When she felt Harry's head fall back she quickly snatched the bag and looked at its contents. She then looked up at Harry with a watery smile.
"Harry You-"she began
"Shhh…you don't have to say anything. I know this is what you wanted and I want what you want" said Harry as he took the brown bag of condoms back from Cho
"Thank You" was all she could manage to say before she began kissing Harry again. She suddenly stopped than looked up at him. "Wait a minute there was a spray can in there, what's that for you?" asked Cho
"Me" said Harry simply
"You?"
"Yup, me…..Whip Cream" said Harry slyly as he kissed Cho down into a reclining position while removing the can from the bag!
X--X--X--X--X
WELL THERE'S MY CHAPTER! MY LONGEST ONE YET TOO!! Comment AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. THANX UNTIL NEXT TIME