Chapter 7 – Well… that was interesting

Chapter 7 – Well… that was interesting.

"Ginny?" Ron was bellowing up the stairs again, growing more and more impatient with his younger sister, who he was stuck babysitting, yet again.

As he waited for her to join them downstairs, his thoughts turned to how much easier life would be if he didn't have to take her everywhere with him.

It wasn't as id he'd ever let her go to the shops on her own anyway, he was as overprotective as his mother sometimes, but it still annoyed him to no end, having her company forced upon him and his friends.

Couldn't she go with their Mum instead? Or her friends?

He cursed himself for being so stupid.

Of course she couldn't.

Their mum was busy today, she going 'to lunch with the girls' – did she seriously believe that nobody knew about her secret visits to see Percy?

And as for Ginny's friends? Well, its not like she really had any. Ok, many. She had two.

He was interrupted from his thoughts as his sister slid down the banister to join them, looking surprisingly cheerful for the first time since, well, he couldn't really remember when she'd last looked this happy.

"Come on Ginny, we're all ready to go." He said, feeling ashamed with himself for not wanting to bring her, seeing how happy she was to be spending the day with them, he realised how lonely she truly must be.

What he didn't know was that her sudden burst of happiness was not caused by his company, but by a mysterious stranger, who potentially could run into them on their outing. The mere prospect of meeting this boy was the only reason for her joy. If Ron had known this (or worse – known the identity of her e-mate), you could guarantee he would never have taken her with them.

"Ok lets go then."

They stepped into the fireplace, and with a brilliant flash of green, they were gone.

THUD!

Ginny never could get used to the landing part. Picking herself up and brushing off the soot that had clung to her jeans, she heard a familiar drawl. One that she'd hoped she wouldn't have to hear for at least the next few days.

"Well, well, well. Potter. Mudblood. And Weasley? I'm surprised you can even afford to come shopping."

Ron's face flushed a brilliant scarlet, and as he went to take a step towards him, Ginny grabbed his arm.

"Don't bother Ron – he's not worth it."

Draco turned to look at her. He gave her a quick once-over, then turned back to Harry and smirked.

"Your girlfriend sure is feisty, Potter, but are you sure she's up to your high standards?"

Harry's brows burrowed in confusion.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean Malfoy?"

Their eyes met, and as Harry's eyes narrowed at eh blonde haired boys presence, Draco let out a chuckle, which only caused Harry's eyes to widen once again in surprise.

"Don't get me wrong – I'm sure she scrubs up quite nicely and everything. She might even look presentable with some new clothes – but she's blatantly only with you for your money."

Before any of the others had time to even register what he'd said, Ginny's grip on Ron had loosened and it was her, this time, who took a step forward. Raising one arm, she struck him, hard, across his cheek. His hand shot up to his now stinging cheek, and he stared at her with a mixture of surprise and (though none of the others would have known) awe. Her face was reddening in anger, almost as brightly as her flaming hair.

"How dare you?! Firstly, Harry is not my boyfriend. We are, and always will be, just friends. It's rude of you to just make assumptions like that. Secondly, my family are financially secure, not that its any of your business, and even if we weren't, I'm not the sort of girl to go after someone for their money. Maybe that's the sort of girl you're used to – but it doesn't mean I'm like that!"

"The sort of girl I'm used to? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Ginny burst into laughter.

"Oh come on, Malfoy, what could anyone ever see in you? Other than Daddy's trust fund and a good name?"

For the first time, Draco was unable to think of a comeback. Ginny seemed to sense this, and ended the argument for him.

"I pity you, Malfoy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some shopping to do." She walked away, into the crowds of people, immediately vanishing from sight.

The four teenagers stood for a few moments, utterly dumbstruck, until Harry broke the silence.

"Well, Malfoy, you sure were getting along quite nicely." He smirked, then continued. "You sure have changed, haven't you?"

Malfoy glared at his old rival, then in one swift movement, turned on his heel and was gone.

"Well, that was interesting."

Hermione's contribution to the conversation seemed to bring Ron back to his senses, who had gone into a state of shock from the moment the words 'girlfriend', 'feisty' and 'Potter' had escaped from Malfoy's lips. "Wait… Ginny's supposed to be staying with us. Why'd she run off?"