Draco stood just inside the Manor Gate, the peacock's called to each other across the yard, making Draco's ears ring. He made his way swiftly down the cobble stone path, his feet tapping the stones with an echoing click. He reached the metal gate and pulled his wand from his breast pocket and lightly tapped the bars that were entwined with chains, holding them closed. The chains glowed white hot and then slipped apart as Draco nudged the gate open. He stepped just outside and listened as the gate re-sealed itself. Gripping his wand tightly, he disaparated, leaving a spinning gust of dry leaves and snow in his wake.
Draco came to a spinning stop just inside Diagon Alley, smoothing his hand over his hair, checking for any out of place hairs. Once assured he was looking his best, he made his way down the alley way, looking down each turn and in each shop, desperately searching for his mother. He growled in frustration as he made his way towards the center of London, slowly growing closer to the Ministry Of Magic. He sped up as he reached the busier streets. He worried for his mother. The muggles zooming past in there little, what were they again? Oh, cars might fluster her. He couldn't risk sending out a patronous, what with all the onlookers, so how in God's name was he supposed to find her? He walked aimlessly through the streets, the wind numbing his hands and feet and burning his eyes. The snow narrowed the sidewalks, causing Draco to bump against others in the street. His eyes searched each face he passed, looking for someone familiar.
Draco sped up, his shoes sliding through snow. He turned a sharp corner and hurried down a familiar lane. Ahead of him, he recognized the hidden Ministry Building. The wind seemed to push him towards the building, the people hurried around him; several recognized him and nodded their heads in greeting. Draco barely acknowledged them; his sole focus was to find his mother. He was just reaching the red phone booth entrance when he heard his name being called.
"Draco! Wait!"
Draco turned quickly, surprised that some one might call him out so bluntly with his family's reputation. Assuming it was Pansy; he pasted a smile on his face, but as he looked at the person calling, his smile slipped and his step faltered.
"Draco, right here!"
Ginny was wrapped in a deep green cloak, her eyes illuminated. Behind her, Draco's mother trailed.
"Hello." She was breathless and her words came out in smokey vapors.
"Hi." Draco's throat tightened as he struggled to swallow.
"I, uhm, well I found…Well I found your mother, she was…wandering."
At that moment, Draco's mother stepped forward, beaming, "Draco, darling, your little friend her found me. She said she'd take me to you, and look at that, she did! I was only looking for your father…"
Draco bit his tongue and gently shook his head, "Of course mother."
He turned his attention to Ginny, who waited patiently, standing protectively beside his mother.
"I owe you."
"No, really, it's quite alright. I would expect the same from you."
"No, please, let me buy you a drink, something to warm you up."
Ginny hesitated, stepping back slowly, biting her lip.
"Well, alright then, if you insist."
"I do, really." Ginny stepped forward and paused before they continued on.
"Mother, come on, we're going for a drink." Draco's mother stepped forward expectantly and Draco held out his arm to escort her. She grasped it tightly as they made their way through the crowd.
"Anyways, how have you been, since I last saw you?"
Ginny blushed at the memory of their last meeting.
"I've been busy…"
"Yes, hunting for lost mothers, I see." Ginny smiled lightly and tugged her cloak tighter around her shoulders. Draco noted the length of her hair, it was shorter than when he had last saw her, "You cut your hair."
She flinched at his observation and ran her fingers through her shoulder length hair cut and then shook it out, "Yes, yes, I did. I needed a change. Hermione helped me, it was much choppier when I had done it, but she evened it out."
Draco grinned at the thought of a hack job hair cut, "It looks very nice now."
Ginny gently cleared her throat as they continued walking.
"Ginny, dear, are you liking Hogwarts? Draco talked very often of your schooling together."
Ginny replied quickly, never missing a beat, "No, I graduated actually."
Mrs. Malfoy looked surprised, "My, time flies, my husband will be very interested to know you are a graduate. Congratulations! Are you working?"
Draco sighed, but Ginny replied, "Not really, no. Just odd jobs here and there, mostly at my brothers' joke shop."
"Indeed!"
Draco stifled a laugh at the thought of his mother holding a conversation with a 'Blood Traitor.' He quickly sneaked a side glance at Ginny, although it was obvious she was uncomfortable, she held her own. He sighed in disbelief, it was unbelievable, who would of thought he would be going for a drink with Ginny?
"Leaky Cauldron sound okay?"
"That sounds just lovely!" Draco's mother smiled and patted him on the cheek.
"Yes." Ginny said quietly, the wind blowing her words away.
They made several turns but eventually reached the entrance of the small tavern. Draco pushed the door open and helped his mother inside, Ginny followed. Attempting to stay secluded, Draco chose a table in a back corner.
He waved Tom over once they had taken their seats.
"Good morning, Tom."
"And to you, Mr. Malfoy. Oh, and you brought your dear mum with you; morning, Missus."
Mrs. Malfoy nodded jerkily, barely acknowledging someone of the lower caliber.
Tom turned to Ginny, "Ah, Ms. Weasley! Welcome as always!" Ginny beamed as Tom clapped her once on the shoulder, "I'm glad to see you caught up with her, Mr. Malfoy, it seemed just yesterday you were running around a mess looking for her!"
Draco stiffened in horror and felt the blood drain from his face. Ginny tilted her head to the side in question, her eyes piercing Draco.
"To drink, Tom!" Draco spluttered.
Tom chuckled, "What will yeh be having?"
Draco gripped his leg beneath the table, attempting to not blush with embaressment.
"Fire whiskey." He spit out and then turned to Ginny, who was still watching him.
"Butter beer, if you don't mind."
"No trouble at all, Missus."
"I'll have tea, and don't burn it!" Mrs. Malfoy requested, her nose in the air.
"It's nice to see you out and about, Missus."
Tom turned and hurried back to the bar, a dirty rag thrust over his shoulder.
Ginny wasted no time getting to the point, "You came looking for me?"
Draco spluttered, his tongue feeling too thick for speech, "Yes." He finally managed, he watched Ginny intently and he swore he saw a flicker of a smile flash across her face.
"You came looking for me?"
"I already said yes, didn't I?"
Ginny blanched at his tone and sat back in her seat, "Where?"
"Why do you want to know? Not that it matters."
"It matters to me…" Ginny replied quietly, looking down.
Tom returned with their drinks and Ginny sipped her silently, watching Draco. Draco purposely looked anywhere but Ginny's face.
"What have you been up to lately?" Draco tried changing the subject.
"Like I said, odd jobs."
"Are you still living with your parents?"
"If this is a crack on my parents…"
"No, nothing like that!"
Ginny sighed, "Nah, I'm not. I live here and there, with friends and other family."
"Is that working out for you?"
Ginny rested her head in her hands, suddenly exhausted, "No, it's not, not really."
"Why don't you get your own place then?"
"It's not that easy."
"Is it the money?"
"Among other things…"
Draco watched Ginny rest her head on the table, her hair falling around her.
"You know, if you need anything…"
"What?"
"If you need anything…a place to stay…some money?"
Ginny jerked her head up, her face bright red.
"I don't need your charity."
"Oh, God, I didn't even mean it like that."
Ginny, if possible, blushed an even brighter red, "Sorry, I just assumed…"
"Do you need a place to stay?"
Ginny shook her head, "No, no, I'm fine. I really shouldn't have said anything."
"But you did say something, what do you need?" Draco leaned forward and reached for Ginny's hand. Sitting back and snatching her hand back, Ginny shook her head again, "No, I'm fine. I really shouldn't have said anything. I have to go, I'm late for…a something."
Ginny stood suddenly, nearly knocking over her chair, Draco also stood quickly, "You're leaving?"
"I think it's for the better."
"You're being ridiculous, sit back down."
"Don't call me ridiculous!"
Draco stuttered, baffled, "I didn't!"
"No, see, we're just not good together."
"What in God's name are you talking about?"
"I've got to go."
And with that, Ginny, hurried up the stairs, and Draco heard her fast footsteps pounding upstairs. He sat down, exasperated, "Women!" He scoffed.
He turned to his mother, "Is she gone then? A nice young lady indeed, a shame she's already taken. I heard from Mildred's mother she was seeing that young man from down the lane."
Draco rolled his eyes, "Be quiet, mother."
Hey Everyone! Once again, sorry for the long wait, I'm out of school now, so I should be able to write a lot more! I hope everyone keeps reading, and I really need those reviews! I don't know what everyone is thinking, and i wanna know. haha
The more you review, the more I write.
Have Fun!
-KalaniRainbow
