A/N: I'm really, honestly, truly, sorry it's taken me so long to update! Sorry, sorry, sorry! I've just been really busy and feeling really uninspired lately. But to make up for it, this chapter is the longest one yet. Not that longer is always better. Oh anyway! I hope it's worth the wait!!! Please, read and review!!!


Chapter 11 "A Cauldron Full of Hot Strong Love"
I've been awake for a while now

You've got me feelin' like a child now


Dazzlingly summer light was streaming through the curtains around his four-poster bed when he woke. He closed his eyes briefly, trying to remember his dream, but the images were already slipping from his memories like grains of sand in a sieve.

He opened his eyes, gazing at the dust particles floating in the sunlight, and let his mind wander to the night before. The sunlight reminded him of her fire and he could not stop the curious warmth that spread over him.

After a few moments he realized it was the weekend, he had promised to owl her and there was nothing stopping him from enjoying her company right away. He sat up quickly, pushed his bed hangings apart and walked to the window. He could feel the sweltering July heat radiating from the glass before he pulled the curtains back.

He blinked into the bright morning sun several times before his eyes focused on the owl blinking serenely at him from the window ledge. He let the animal in and watched bemusedly as it landed on the back of his desk chair. He took the note from the bird's talon and started scanning the words quickly when he realized the owl was waiting for his answer.

He recognized Ginny's small, slanted handwriting at once, but had to read the letter through twice before comprehending.

He settled himself in the chair and placed the letter in front of him, feeling unexpectedly dumbfounded.

Ginny had beaten him to it. She was asking him out. She was taking him somewhere today, and she'd be dammed if she let him pay. It said so in her letter.

He started at the parchment, held it up to the light and studied it carefully. It seemed real enough and that was certainly her handwriting.

Apparently she had seen an advertisement in the morning's Daily Prophet that she decided held "infinitely fun possibilities." She had already made arrangements and he was to meet her at an Appartion point just outside London that afternoon at 4:30 p.m. sharp. Wondering why on earth she had said to wear casual Muggle clothes, he called for his personal house elf and demanded to see the early edition paper.

"Have a little patience, will you?" he grumbled to the owl. It had moved to his desk and was now hopping from one leg to the other anxiously. "I'd like to know exactly what I'm getting myself into before I agree to it…"

He trailed off, quickly scanning the pages of the newspaper. Nothing extraordinary caught his eye, and, ceding defeat, he pulled out his quill and loaded it with ink.

The nervousness he felt as he watched the owl take flight was quite lackadaisical; spending the day with Ginny, no matter what evil scheme she had cooked up, would be quite worth the hassle.


Cause every time I see your bubbly face

I get the tingles in a silly place


He departed for their meeting a full fifteen minutes early, determined to search the area for clues as to where she was taking him, assuming the meeting point was not their final destination. He hated not knowing what she had planned. He had never been one for surprises.

He arrived in a tiny alleyway between a Muggle petrol station and a dingy looking grocery market.

This was certainly not reassuring.

This area was well outside the bustling London streets and he wondered again what the rest of the day had in store for him. He emerged from the alley and squinted against the sizzling afternoon sun, comfortable in a plain white polo shirt and jeans. He studied his surroundings and saw the area was scarcely populated with insignificant looking buildings. Weeds were growing between the cracks in the sidewalk and even the road beyond looked desolate.

He had just settled himself on a warm bench outside the market when he heard the bell above the door jingle softly. He glanced up automatically and saw Ginny stepping from the store. She was wearing a short lavender sundress with thin straps and her hair was swept half up, soft curls swaying around her shoulders as she made her way towards him. He smiled when he caught her eye and felt a pleasant tingling in his chest when she beamed back at him.

"You're early," she said, standing in front of him. It was only then that he noticed she was carrying a large square picnic basket. She followed his gaze and her smile turned effortlessly into a smirk. "Wondering what sort of nefarious plot I've got up my sleeve?"

"Actually, I couldn't have said it better myself," he said, standing and dropping a feathery kiss on her cheek. "We aren't going to have a picnic on this decrepit looking bench, are we?"

"Of course not," she replied, reaching for his hand and easily lacing her fingers with his before heading back towards the alleyway.

"Where then are you taking me?" he asked, a barely discernible note of frustration in his voice.

"It's a surprise."

"I detest surprises."

"I figured as much," she replied, pulling him into the shadows and transferring his hand to her waist. "But you've never experienced one of my surprises, so do try not to judge too soon."

"It's still a surprise – " He broke off as he felt her free arm snake around his neck and pull his head down slowly. "And if you expect me to eat on the ground," he murmured, "with ants and all sorts of vile creatures…" He could no longer speak, seeing as how her lips were pressed tightly against his.

He pulled her closer to him, felt the soft cotton of her dress against his hands and moved his other hand to caress the smooth, freckly skin of her shoulders. She tasted of fresh strawberries and he wanted nothing more than to stand there kissing her until his legs could no longer support him.

She pulled away slowly and he opened his mouth to protest but stopped as she pulled her wand from the basket swinging at his side. She pulled him close to her then, holding the wand out behind him and whispered in his ear.

"Shut up and hold on tightly."

He clutched her to him instinctively and closed his eyes when he felt the familiar breathlessness of Disapparation.

He took a deep breath an instant later and immediately identified the smell of saltwater and the distant cry of seagulls.

He opened his eyes when Ginny released him and watched as she replaced her wand in the front pocket of the basket.

"Where are we?" he asked, looking around and trying to place the rolling green countryside. "Ireland?"

"No, we're still in England," she said, laughing quietly and reaching for his hand again.

"Well?" he demanded. There was an irritated edge to his voice, but when he took her hand his grasp was tender.

She led him from the clump of trees where they were standing and towards a winding path that disappeared over the top of a nearby hill.

"You really don't enjoy surprises, do you?" She turned her head to look at him and laughed at the pleading look in his eyes. "You're such a spoiled prat! You know that, don't you?"

"I'll have you know I'm not very accustomed to having a lady take me on a date," he grumbled, kicking at a stone on the path. "Add to that not having a bloody clue where I am…well…"

"We're just outside the village of Freshwater," she said as they started up the small hill.

"What? On the Isle of Wight?" he asked, clearly perplexed.

"Yes," she answered. At the top of the hill they looked out on a large, sloping field that was anything but empty. Hundreds of people were milling about and a large stage stood empty and foreboding on the far side of the field so that the people facing it had a spectacular view of the cliffs and ocean beyond.

"And?"

"Oh, and this is Afton Down," she said simply, as though he were accustomed to traipsing about the countryside with picnic baskets like some sort of mysterious gypsy. "Where is the entrance?" she was peering around the perimeter of the area. "Aha!" he heard her whisper before she set off towards a grumpy looking man in a trench coat and top hat.

He followed behind her, his mind buzzing with more unanswered questions.

"Tickets?" the man asked, holding out a hand.

"Yes, I've got them here," Ginny replied, opening the lid of the basket and extracting two bright orange slips of parchment.

"Sit anywhere you like. If you get thirsty look for the Water Witch; she's got a bright red cart that's hard to miss. There are portable loo's over there by those trees, and remember, no magic," he recited in a tired monotone as he stamped their hands with the intertwined letters – WS. "We've already had to modify the memory of some Muggle kids who tried to follow a couple witches through the anti-Muggle protection charms. It wasn't pretty."

"Thank you, we'll be sure to stow our wands until we leave," Ginny reassured the man, motioning Draco to follow.

"Have fun," the man called as they headed into the center of the field.

"What's going on Ginny? Have you brought me to a – a concert?" Draco asked.

"Yes," she answered, excitement evident in her breathy voice. "The Weird Sisters have an outdoor concert here every summer and I've always wanted to go, but I've never been in the area at the right time."

She stopped at a vacant patch of grass. It was moderately close to the stage, but to the side and somewhat out of the main crowd. She sat the basket down, opened the top and extracted a large flowery blanket. She spread it out before them and slipped her sandals off before sinking to the ground, her legs crossed underneath her.

"The show doesn't start until 7 p.m. but I wanted to arrive early enough to get a good spot. I thought we'd have a picnic dinner while we waited." She looked up at him expectantly. "I promise you will not be attacked by any ants or other creepy crawlies."

"Oh? And how exactly are you so certain I won't pick up a sandwich full of beetles?" He asked, folding his arms stubbornly across his chest.

"How did you know what I brought for dinner?" she asked incredulously. "I was in this tiny African village last summer and I found these delicious toasted beetles. I thought you might enjoy something exotic." His mouth went slack and he stared blankly at her, for once at a loss for words. She broke into a large grin and laughed heartily. "I'm only kidding."

He was so relieved he dropped gracefully to the ground and settled himself across from her.

"I ought to throttle you," he said throatily when he seemed to have regained his voice.

She laughed again as she started pulling dishes from the basket, which, he noted, was obviously enchanted to hold much more than a normal picnic basket.

"So we aren't having insects for dinner?" he asked, cautiously lifting the covering of the bowl she had just pulled from the basket and peering inside.

"No, we're having tapas. I had them when I was in Spain a couple years ago and I think they're great for outdoor things because you don't need silverware or anything," she explained as she started uncovering several small plates. "You do like seafood, I hope?"

"Yes, I enjoy seafood," he said, grinning despite himself. "I just hope it all tastes half as good as it smells…."

"You'll see," she replied, smirking arrogantly.

"What is that?" he asked, scrunching his nose in distaste as he eyed a plate of fish with dark red sauce.

"Spanish salt cod with spicy tomato sauce," she answered, picking up a small piece of the breaded fish and dipping it in the tomato sauce. "Try it." She held it up to his lips and he took a tentative bite. He chewed for a moment, appreciating the rich, zesty flavors. "Well?"

"It's very good," he admitted, smiling brightly at her.

"And you doubted it wouldn't be?" She scowled at him playfully before bursting into carefree giggles. He found her laughter beautifully contagious and joined her, despite himself. He was enjoying her company so much that he could not wipe the smile from his face as they sampled each of her wonderful dishes.


… I'll always know

That you make me smile

Please stay for a while now

Just take your time


"Well, that was pretty fantastic," he said, handing her the empty shrimp plate. He leaned back on his side, stretching his legs out and propping himself up by the elbow. The opening band, a Scottish group complete with kilts and bagpipes, had taken the stage but it was not yet so obnoxiously loud that he had to shout. "I have to hand it to you Weasley, you're an excellent cook. I just might have to keep you around."

"Thanks a lot," she replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes. She pulled out her wand and looked around quickly before casting a cleansing charm on the dirty dishes, then stacking them back into the basket.

The sun was starting to set and he was about to reach for her join him on the blanket when she spoke.

"I hope you have room for dessert," she declared, extracting a bottle and two glasses from the basket.

"Champagne, Ms. Weasley?" She pulled a smaller circular basket out as well and he saw it was filled with fresh strawberries. "And strawberries? Why, you are doing this properly aren't you? Not only have you taken me on the date and arranged everything, but now I believe you are trying to seduce me."

"Oh, please, Malfoy. You're joking, right?" She held the champagne bottle out to him. "Open it, won't you?"

He took the chilled bottle and nearly dropped it when she picked up a particularly large strawberry and took a bite from it, licking her lips as the red juice spilled out. She winked slyly at him and he twisted the cork absently. It sprang from the bottle with a loud popping noise and he grabbed a glass swiftly as the liquid bubbled to the top.

"It would be easy to seduce you if I were trying though, wouldn't it?" she laughed.

He sighed exasperatedly and rolled his eyes as he poured them both a glass of champagne. They sipped quietly and indulged in the fresh summer fruit as the sun slipped lower on the horizon.

"I picked these this morning, you know," Ginny said quietly, offering the basket of strawberries to Draco.

"So you're a gardener, too?"

"Oh no, that's my mother. So I guess you could say I stole these from her strawberry patch."

She looked at him guiltily and he swallowed the last of his champagne and scooted closer to her to drape an arm around her waist.

"Did you learn to cook from her, too?" he asked, and the sincerity of the question was evident in his voice.

"Yes, being the only girl she basically taught me everything I could ever want to know about proper cooking techniques."

She leaned away to clean up the last of their dishes. The first band had finished and the crowd was now migrating slowly towards the stage, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Weird Sisters.

"Did your mother ever cook?" she asked, arranging things in the basket.

"No, not that I can remember. We had house elves for that sort of thing," he replied. "But she did make me take a cooking class one summer and that was dreadful. The only thing I could even halfway do was make breakfast foods," he admitted, chortling.

"You'll have to make me breakfast sometime," she called over her shoulder.

"If you think you can stomach it."

"Alright, then." She leaned back in to him, but pulled away suddenly. "Yuck, you're all sweaty."

"Well, it's bloody hot out here," he protested, dabbing his forehead with the back of his hand. "And you gave me alcohol."

"I'm not hot." She looked him over, and he tensed when her gaze lingered on his feet. "It's because you have those thick shoes and socks on."

"I'm dreadfully sorry, but civilized men do wear shoes and socks in public, so don't get any ideas -- pardon me?!" he finished in a strangled rush.

She had moved stealthily and settled on top of his knees so that he could not wiggle free when she slipped his shoes off. "Ginny, please don't – "

He felt a cool blast of air on his feet and watched as she balled his socks together and placed them inside one of his discarded shoes.

" – take my socks off."

She moved back to sit beside him, grinning wickedly and he knew he could not be angry with her.

"There, don't you feel better?" she inquired matter-of-factly.

"Yes, actually it does feel a little cooler all of a sudden." She smiled broadly but frowned when he continued: "Although I think the sun setting is mostly the cause."

She hit his arm playfully, shrieking indignantly, but the noise was quickly drowned out by the cheering of the crowd: the Weird Sisters were emerging on stage.

"Oh, I'm so excited!" she yelled, jumping to her feet and pulling him up with her.

The crowd chanted as the band did some last minute tuning. Then suddenly, the Weird Sisters launched into an up-tempo rock number and Draco watched, grinning madly as Ginny danced around their blanket gleefully. He found her just as entertaining as the concert and had to remind himself repeatedly that he was supposed to be watching the musicians, not her.

She kept trying to engage him in her wild dancing and only gave up during the third song when he halfheartedly threatened to sit down.


You give me feelings that I adore

What am I gonna say?

When you make me feel this way

I just...mmm


"Aren't you having fun?" she shouted a little while later, lifting her head back towards him.

He had discovered she would stay fairly still if he held her lightly in his arms and swayed gently to the music.

"Yes, I'm having a good time," he replied, dropping a kiss on her forehead before she turned back towards the stage.

It was about an hour and a half later when she turned to him after the first encore and asked if he had seen the Water Witch.

"Yes, just a moment ago." He looked around and saw the bright red cart a couple meters behind them, stopped beside a large group of teenagers. "Shall I go and get us some water?"

She nodded and he set off towards the cart. He was halfway there before he realized he was walking about the place barefoot.

"What have you done to me Weasley?" he murmured to himself, falling in line behind a couple teenage girls having an argument about which member of the Weird sisters was most attractive.

"I still say it's Myron," a short blonde-haired girl declared. "The way he sings, it's just so, so, sexy…" she shivered and closed her eyes before breaking out in a fit of giggles. The other girl laughed along, but was shaking her head fiercely.

"You always go for the lead singers, Charlotte. It's too predictable. Now the drummer, on the other hand... I mean, have you seen how gorgeous Orsino is?"

They were giggling again as they handed the Water Witch their money and Draco rolled his eyes impatiently.

He had just handed Ginny her bottle of water when the Weird Sisters' lead singer addressed the audience.

"You've been an excellent crowd Afton Down!! But I'm sorry to say this will be our last song." The crowd booed loudly and the lead singer smiled. "Oh, now, cheer up. We'll be back next year."

The audience broke into tumultuous applause. He waved them down and waited until things were relatively quiet before he spoke again. "This last song is a little different, an oldie we like to cover every now and then. It's one of my mum's favorites and we hope you enjoy it." He turned around and counted off for the band.

Draco had barely registered that it was a slow jazzy number before Ginny turned to him, looking exuberant.

"Draco this is an old Celestina Warbeck song! "A Cauldron Full of Hot Strong Love!"

"That's a song?" he asked, snickering.

"Yes! My mum makes us listen to this every Christmas on the Wireless!" She grabbed his arm and pulled him off the blanket so they were standing in the grass. "We have to dance to THIS one. It was my mum and dad's song."

She looked so thrilled at hearing her favorite band play such a familiar song that he could not deny her this last dance. It was a slow song, after all.

"Oh, if we must," he said, but smiled nonetheless, pulling him to her.

She slid her arms around his chest and laid her head on his shoulder, her mouth just level with his neck.

He bent his head down slightly and nuzzled his face against her hair, sighing contently as the music and the ocean breeze washed over them.

She smelled of saltwater, spices, summer strawberries and champagne. He could feel the cool carpet of grass between his toes and the gentle beating of her heart against his chest.

"Oh, come and stir my cauldron..." Her voice was smooth and quiet as she sang along with the song. "And if you do it right, I'll boil you up some hot, strong, love," her breath tickled his neck but he did not flinch, "to keep you warm tonight."

She sang the rest of the song lightly against his neck and when the song ended he found he was not quite ready to let go of her. He held her to him, and she lifted her head to look inquiringly at him.

Her eyes were soft and inviting and he felt his self-restraint slipping. The wall he had built around his heart, so tall and so thick, was crumbling and he was helpless to stop it.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him tenderly.

"Ready?" she asked, pulling back and moving to gather their blanket.

"Yes, I suppose."

He let his hands fall from her waist and helped her fold the blanket.

"Are you doing anything tomorrow?" he asked, draping his arm across her shoulders as they joined the queue heading away from the stage.

"No," she answered.

"Can we Disapparate from here? Do you know?"

"Yes, I think so, why?"

"Stay with me tonight."

"What?"

"There's no one home right now except for me. Stay with me," he wasn't asking, exactly, but he did not care. He would be damned if went home and did nothing but dream of her. Again.

"Okay."

"Listen, I refuse to – " he started, before realizing she had agreed. He blinked at her. "Okay?"

"Okay," she repeated, grinning. "If I had an apartment I would have already had you back there." She winked at him then and he pulled her to him, turning on the spot.

She was crushing his lips to hers when they arrived in the foyer of Malfoy Manor and she let the picnic basket fall to the floor with a loud thump.

"So you were trying to seduce me?" he breathed, pulling away enough to pick her up.

She wrapped her legs around his middle and allowed him to carry her up the staircase. She nibbled his ear lightly when he got to the top of the stairs and was hardly surprised that he stopped just outside his room to push her against the door and kiss her fiercely.

She fumbled behind her for the doorknob and smiled against his lips when he stumbled into the room. He crossed the room in three quick strides and they fell on the bed, a tangle of limbs and clothes.

"It worked, didn't it?" she sighed as he growled his agreement and pulled her dress above her head….


I've been asleep for a while now

You tucked me in just like a child now

Cause every time you hold me in your arms

I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth


He woke the next morning warm and comfortable, sunlight streaming through his window. He turned his head to the side and saw that she was still curled up against him. He watched her sleep for a moment and was soothed by her steady breathing and the gentle rise and fall of her chest. She stirred then, scooted deeper into the blankets and wrapped her small arms tighter around his back. She lifted her head from his shoulder and dropped a soft kiss on his nose.

"I don't want to get up yet," she mumbled against his chest. She sighed dreamily. "Let's go back to sleep."

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, unable to suppress the strange feelings surging through him, and nestled closer against her before drifting back into a pleasant sleep.


It starts in my soul

And I lose all control

When you kiss my nose

The feeling shows

Cause you make me smile

Baby, just take your time now

Holding me tight


A/N: Ah, another sweet, sappy chapter. I promise there's more steamy love on the way, I just wanted to establish that there's more to their relationship than that. You know? What did you think of their date?

Again, I forgot to list last chapter's song!! Sorry!! I suck at this. It was "I Radio Heaven" by Over the Rhine. This chapter is "Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat. I adore the song and think it goes well with this summer love themed chapter.


What do you guys think? Was the chapter too cheesy?


Reviews are ALWAYS welcome!!!