A/N Hi, I'm trying to update regularly, but with school and all it's quite hard. This is a brand new chapter, a little longer than the others. Enjoy and I'll be glad if you review.
Chapter 12
Finally, it was Saturday! Oh blissful week-end, we've waited for you so long. No more working, no more fake and faker traces of mysterious Dark Wizards, no more enervating argument with the colleges. It was Saturday! Harry was happy. Yes, the last night the atmosphere was bizarre on dinner, but maybe he was too tired and he had taken it into his head. He opened his eyes and saw Ginny doing the same. It was so cute when they both were waking up the same time, like they could feel each other. Harry turned, put a hand on his girlfriend's waist and kissed her on the lips.
"Morning" he mumbled huskily.
"Morning" she smiled back.
"Are you ok? Last night you seemed distracted" he put away of her face a red lock.
"Fine" she smiled even warmer. "I was just tired. You know, Friday night is overpriced. You rather feel exhausted, not in mood to party."
"Yeah. How about Saturday morning?" he grinned playfully.
"Naughty boy" she chuckled when he slip his leg between hers. "But I'm thinking of coffee and breakfast first." The redhead stood up fast, ignoring his objections and wrapped a home robe around herlesf.
"I'll join you in a minute" Harry said watching her leave.
The kitchen was a mess. Last night Ginny didn't have energy of cleaning after the catastrophic dinner and Harry… well, it was women's job the cleaning. Few movements with the wand were enough to do the dishes and clear away the table. Ginny was doing her best to hide her guilt and act normal. She guessed it was working because Harry seemed to buy it. At least she hoped so. She had quit crying and whining; no more bad potions, no more endless sobbing. She was a reasonable person.
She set the coffee and sat on the table. 'Daily Prophet' had just arrived and she was glad she could take a look on it before Harry come. Ginny saw some of her own pictures on the pages. This was the great about being a free photographer. She could take pictures whenever she wanted, to whatever she wanted and she was choosing who she would be working with. 'Quibbler', 'Daily Prophet' and some other magazines were appreciating her work just fine. On the last page, the one with announcements, there was a photo of Luna. Ginny's stomach twisted. The announcement was saying about the opening of Luna's shop, Tuesday the 10th of April. It seemed like Xeno and his daughter were going to give a great festivity, just in Lovegood-style. It was weird; Ginny hadn't received an invitation yet. Was it possible that Luna didn't want her on the opening?
"The ice-cold shower in the morning is just great, especially when you have been hot before." Harry announced while sitting across the table, just a towel around his hips.
Ginny snored a little, but ignored the comment. "Look" she said and passed him the news-paper "Luna's opening a shop."
"Wasn't she in France?" he asked looking at the picture.
"She was, but she came back couple of days ago" Ginny realized that she maybe had gone too far just a second later. Not like Harry could get suspicious just because she was talking about an old friend of hers, but her voice could be the traitor.
"Oh, she hasn't owl" he raised his brows "or sent an invitation to the event. Are you sure she remembers us?"
"I can bet, either she does or she had no idea who she was talking to..." the redhead swallowed hard "two days ago."
"You've seen her?"
"Yeah, in Quibbler's office" she lied and looked her at bare feet.
"Really? Did you two have good time?" firstly, Ginny lost her breath thinking that Harry knew, but later she realized he was just keeping the small talk.
A knocking on the window saved her from answering, she certainly would give herself out otherwise. A beautiful polar owl entered, a big envelope tied on her foot. Ginny unlashed it and gave the owl some water. When she came back to the table Harry had already read half of the newspaper.
"What is it?" he asked while Ginny was opening the envelope.
"Oh, have you thought of mind-reading?" she giggled.
"C'mon, tell me, you know how much I sucked in Divination"
"No, I didn't mean… it's an invitation for Luna's shop opening" Ginny smiled and passed him a sparkling sphere. He took it and saw a miniature figure inside which probably represented Luna in blue dress. When he left it on the table it shined and rusted then the small Luna-copy get out and stepped on top of the sphere.
"Dear Mr. Potter and Ms. Weasley," the tiny Luna sang with sweet voice "I, Luna Lovegood, would like to invite you to the opening of my shop "Crumple Horns". The event will consist Tuesday, 10th of April, on 1304 Swan-Allie, Wizard London. I'll be glad if you come. Love, Luna Lovegood"
Ginny's heart hopped few times while listening. The figure was very realistic copy of Luna; even her eyes were big and curious like real Luna's. Though, redhead hid all her emotions, exploring Harry's expression. He didn't seem bothered in any way. Then Luna's copy turned to her and smiled softly.
"Gin, would you like to come and give me a hand with the shop and all? I'll be glad to chat like in old times." She winked playfully to Ginny and she immediately thought that Harry will get suspicious. Jeez, the paranoia gets you when you're guilty.
"Will you go? I thought we'll have a little time on our own" Harry said, a disappointed look on his face.
"No, I won't. Luna will understand." Ginny smiled and kissed her boyfriend over the table. She got a quill and a parchment, wrote quickly some words and tied it to the owl's leg.
"So, you said something about Saturday morning" Ginny said huskily unlashing slightly the robe's ties.
"Oh, yeah" Harry grinned and pulled her to the bedroom.
~*********************~********************~
The air in the apartment across the hall was filled with the savor of coffee and pancakes. This was what woke up Hermione for her biggest surprise. She sat up in bed rubbing her eyes to be sure she wasn't dreaming. Ron wasn't in bed that was the most amazing part of the whole magical morning. If he was she could decide that the good fairy godmother is making breakfast, so Hermione could get some more sleep on Saturday. But he had gotten up… what a mystery! Was he commanding the fairy godmother? A slight pierce of guilt hit her in the head. When had she had she become to think this low of Ron? Last time she was in love with him; what had happened?
She got up and walked sleepily to the kitchen. Ron was there frying pancakes. His robes and a poor apron were stained with eggs, flavor, milk, coffee and every other thing he had touched this morning. His hair was messy and he had jelly on the nose but Hermione had never found him more attractive. (I believe that here is the place of a little explanation. Hermione's brain had taken too much pressure the day before and that entire Malfoy story was blocked so she could save her sanity.) The pancakes were a bit burned out, there were flavor and dough all over the kitchen, the sink was a disaster, but Hermione was fascinated. She was probably going to clean twice as much as if she had done it, but this wasn't the point.
She leaned to the door frame and just watched him. Ron was too busy to notice her so she could fully enjoy the show. Pleasant warmth spilt in her stomach. Now she remembered why she had fallen in love with Ron. She didn't know and didn't care why he had decided to surprise her in that way but it was splendid. Whatever or whoever had made him, she would be grateful.
Hermione was standing there, her hair in wavy mess, her face relaxed and fresh as it hadn't been in quite a while. The loose shorts and tank top, she was wearing, were making her look so sexy and moreover to feel sexy…
"Had the good fairy godmother visited you?" she asked cheerfully.
"No, the Ghost of past weekend mornings" he laughed.
"Jeez" she chuckled, a little surprised how a sincere laugh was feeling "Have you drunk something?"
"No" he declared solemnly spreading his picking dish.
"You lied" she said in husky voice.
"Yeah, I did. The Ghost of past weekends mornings didn't visit me" he shook his head, pretending to be sad and ashamed "The Ghost of mad girlfriends did."
"Oh, and what did he say?" she walked to him in graceful and seductive gait.
"He said…" Ron paused, understanding where the things were going, and turned towards her "that I have been a naughty boy."
"Have you? Really?" she was very near now and pouted her lips.
"Have someone told you that you look hell of a sexy in this negligent sleep wear?" he mumbled with passion and pulled her by the waist.
"Have someone told you that you look hell of a sexy in apron?" she mocked a little.
"Would you like your coffee with cream or with milk, madam?" he asked playfully, pressing her to his body. Instead of answering Hermione kissed him passionately.
"Milk" she whispered and digger her fingers in his hair.
"You got it" he said and threw the picking dish. He kissed her deeply and tried to untie his apron.
"No, no… leave it on" Hermione stopped him.
"Leave your apron on" he sang seductively and pulled their lips together again.
She wrapped her legs around his hips and they moved in blind passionate dance towards the couch. The unstable construction of their bodies crashed on the poor couch, hands wondering on each other, never broking the kiss. They parted after a while, breathing heavily, gazes full of lust.
"Now, you can take it off" Hermione said and untied the apron "It's dirty"
"Umm…are you sure. Don't you like it dirty?" Ron mumbled kissing her neck.
"No, take it off" she repeated and he didn't wait much longer to get rid of the apron and the robes stained with all kinds of food.
The situation on the couch was getting hotter and hotter when through the open window flew a brown plumed owl and alighted on the table in front of them. The bird peeped loudly, realizing it had interrupted something. On its leg there was tied a letter with Ministry seal and a big flaming 'U' in front.
"Shooo" Ron raised tone spreading his hand to chase the imposed away.
"No, wait" Hermione stood on her elbows and took the letter "It's urgent."
She opened it and read it slowly. Her face was getting darker and darker. Their bodies were still braided together so Ron bended and asked in serious voice "What is it?"
"There's a poisonous pollution in one of DMS' wings. Yesterday Brian Gallaxy blew out a cauldron with some experimental potion. We knew it was dangerous, but we didn't suppose it is so serious. We all must be there in 20 minutes"
"You're not going, are you?" Ron wrinkled his forehead, caressing her bare stomach.
"I have to"
"But we were in the middle of…"
"I'm very sorry, Ron" she said and stood up, leaving him lying grim on the couch. "We'll finish this tonight" she smiled and kissed him quickly on the lips.
"Yeah, right." he clenched his jaw and looked away.
"Please, don't be mad. The Ghost of mad boyfriends will visit me, you know?"
"Hmm…" he grinned and kissed her one last time "Take care."
~*******************~
The oven blew out some smoke and ashes. It was one of side effects of using an ancient wood furnace. The tiny house elf sneezed and whipped the ashes of its face. It was a pointed-eared, big-eyed creature with potato-shaped nose and shapeless frowzy pillowcase for cloths. It probably was female, but none could be certain, because of the sick expression and its greenish rough complexion. The house elf took the thin of croissants and started to spread carefully butter on them. There was a sharp peeping noise and a minute later another elf came with a pitcher of coffee and two cups on a tray. A third one brought various bowls with all kind of sugar and milk. The last one, the oldest by the way, ranged a silver salver and said to the elf who was spreading butter:
"Crewey, you're serving the coffee today."
"But I did yesterday!" objected Crewey, her face pale and a frightened look in her eyes.
"Do not contradict me" hissed the old elf "You know very well how important the Saturday morning is for the Mistress."
"Yes, but why me? Why it always has to be Crewey?" the poor creature cried out desperately, her eyes getting bigger and bluer.
"C'mon, Crewey, the Mistress hates when the coffee is late!" the superior didn't take more objections and put the salver in Crewey's trembling hands.
The tiny elf sniffed and headed the dining-room, her legs shaking. Saturday morning was the hardest, the Mistress wanted everything perfect and if it was not, the elves were always the ones to blame. The young Master had come home the previous evening and this was the first opportunity to the Mistress to have a meal with her son.
Right now she was sitting at the dinner table and waiting. The Mistress has always been an elegant woman with strong personality. Lately, since the Master was away she had showed all her character. Her pale blonde hair was straight and falling down her back. Her eyes, deep blue, were emitting confidence and cold. Her look changed only when she saw her son. When she had first come to the house (Crewey had only listened to this story) she was different, very warm and caring. But as years passed she had become a real lady, real Mrs. Malfoy.
The big dining room was all decorated in green velvet curtains. All the furniture was made of black polished wood and there were fancy Victorian objects everywhere. The windows were yet in French style, wall height letting the spring sun spreading its rays in the room. The style mélange was kind of trade-mark of Malfoy Manor. Lucius's grate-grandfather who built the Manor and whom the whole family owed their supreme status and wealth was very close to queen's attendants (the ones who were wizards or knew about magic). His wife was French aristocrat and brought the refined thread of France. The dining room was her best achievement.
Crewey never got used to the snobbism of room and yet when she entered it she frowned. The Mistress was waiting for her son. The elf trembling bowed low and waited for orders. Just then the door for the Master family opened and the young Master came in. The young Master was 20 years old and handsome, but always very cruel to house elves. He sat across the table and the Mistress gave him one of her rare warm smiles. This was going to be a family moment, so Crewey bended lower and waited. If she got lucky they wouldn't notice her and she would just serve them the coffee.
"Draco," began the Mistress "You're getting up late."
"I was tired, mother" the young Master answered "It has been a rough week."
"I understand." She said in calm voice "is there anything new about the business?"
"No, nothing important" Draco swallowed a little hard a looking around the table. His mother wouldn't be very happy if she knew he was investing in the Mudblood.
"Well. Is there anything new about you?" her eyes sparkled "Some new girl?"
"No, mother, I work way too much to have time for…"
"What about that Mary-Anne lady who you were dating last month?"
"Mother!" he exclaimed "I haven't told you about any girl!"
"Well, it was hard not to notice. The girl sent couple…" she hesitated "couple hundreds of owls."
"Merlyn" he hissed under his nose "I should stop giving them my real address." Yet it was quite embarrassing, moreover he didn't remember who exactly Mary-Anne was.
"I visited your father few days ago" Narcisa said.
"How's he?" Draco asked fast, happy to change the subject.
"He's fine, but we talked about you. We both think it's time for you to get engaged." The last words provoked such a silence that Crewey frowned. "You know, I'm growing old and your father is… away" continued the mother after a while "So it's time to take care of continuing the family. We, your father and I, have been thinking about some nice pureblood girls who are good matches."
Draco blinked blankly, stunned. He was too young to get married! Then he was going to be a real head of the Malfoy family. When was he supposed to live his own life?
"You know the tradition in pureblood families" his mother went on "Since age of 3; we have considered a fiancée for you. But we haven't spoken to her family about it since you went to Hogwarts."
"Mother, would you take it easy for a minute" he said slowly and clearly.
"Take what?"
"How are you imagining my wedding without me?" Draco asked ironically. "I would like so much to participate in choosing the bride for example" a sarcasm rising in his voice.
"Oh, me too, Draco. It's better that groom appraise the matches, too." Smiled Narcisa "Well, if you don't want to, it's not so important; you can leave you family decide. Your father did so."
"Mother, it was sarcasm!" sometimes he missed verbal fights with Granger, she always appreciated his wits.
"What do you mean it was sarcasm?" anger trembled in her voice. "How dare you to disrespect your mother?"
"What?!" Draco remained stunned. He was about to start a fight with his mother (which never ended well) when a house elf came to him.
"Excuse Ruby, Master" it said quietly. "This is a letter for you from the Ministry. Ruby thinks it's urgent, Sir." And the elf passed him a letter with bright red 'U'.
"Ok, Ruby, go away" snapped Draco and took the letter. His mother didn't say anything. After a minute or two Draco said "I'm afraid I should go to the Ministry. Some idiot blew up a cauldron with experimental poison. Some of my investments may be harmed, too."
"Very good. Go. But this conversation is not over." When he left the room, she added to herself 'He's so alike his father.'
Few steps down the hall Draco was happy about escaping the fight. He thought 'It should be Granger's department. It's not very clever to meet her again so soon. They'll be fine without me. Bugger, I'll call sick.'
~*************~****************~
In DMS, Hermione was making some potion which was supposed to neutral the poisonous steams. Someone had told her that investors were coming too. She looked to the door every five minutes and finally thought 'He's not going to come'. She wasn't sure was she relieved or disappointed.
~*************************~
On 1304 Swan-Alley, Luna opened her window to let in her owl. She was carrying Ginny's answer. Something was telling her that it wasn't what she expected. She unrolled the small piece of parchment, written with Ginny's fine hand.
Dear Luna,
I'm afraid that I'm not able to come right now. Don't get it wrong, I'd love to help you, but Harry and I don't have much time to be together lately, so I'm planning to spend the day with him.
See you at Tuesday
Ginny
Luna's eyes filled with tears. Yesterday was like a dream, like bunch of ridicule hopes. What was that coldness today for?
"What's the letter about, sweetie?" Xeno asked his daughter carefully.
"Nothing" Luna said in dry voice and threw the letter in the fire.