Chapter Two: Summers at the Manor

Disclaimer: Obviously, I do not own. I'm only playing with the characters and world that J.K. Rowling brilliantly created.

Also, side note! Thank you for the positive reviews! I posted that first chapter not expecting any feedback, but you guys surprised me. Now I feel extra motivated to update! I'm still figuring out where story is headed, but I do know it'll skip around in time. Welcome aboard this fanfic train. It's good to have you.

"Ginny! Ginny wait!" A small voice shouted. "Wait for me!" Six year old Draco Malfoy ran through the gardens in the back of Malfoy Manor. He stopped shortly near the fountain, anxiously looking around for his companion. A giggle, sounding as though it came from behind his mother's prized rose shrubs, caught his attention. A devious smirk crossed his face. Quickly, quietly, he went around the roses…

"Boo!"

"Ahhhh!" Draco shouted, startled. He whipped around to find Ginny laughing, her cheeks bright pink and her braids messy.

"I got you!" She smiled brightly. Draco scowled, his plan backfired.

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

Their argument ended with the arrival of a distinct pop. Mitzy, Narcissa's personal house elf, stood between the children. "Master Draco, your mother requests that you and Miss Ginny come immediately to the dining hall. It is lunch time." Pop! As quickly as she arrived, she disappeared. The children looked at each other briefly before racing towards the terrace and back entrance of the manor.

"But Draco, we already went to Diagon Alley this week. Twice." Ginny whined at breakfast. She ignored Narcissa's raised eyebrow at her rather unbecoming behavior.

"We didn't get to go to Florean's though." Draco protested. "Or see the new broom they have on display at the Quidditch shop."

"Why can't we go somewhere else, like the beach or go explore the Muggle village nearby and check out their shops? It would be fun."

"Absolutely not, Ginerva." Narcissa said, putting down her teacup. Rarely did she ever use Ginny's full name. "Muggles are not to be trusted. You know this, dear." Ginny knew this quite well, though she often went to the Muggle village near the Burrow. She knew better than to mention this to Narcissa however. Feeling defeated she stabbed the scone on her plate with the spoon they had been provided. Snack time, like any meal, meant following proper etiquette at all times. At the Burrow no one cared whether or not if the appropriate silverware was used so long as nothing ended up on the floor, or worse, each other. Perhaps sensing her disappointment, Narcissa then said something that surprised both Ginny and Draco.

"The beach though is a wonderful idea. The sea breeze might do you two some good." Ginny whipped her head up in such a way she became dizzy. Narcissa frowned slightly, but continued anyways. "Draco darling this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to the Parkinson family. They have a daughter your age, the most delightful little girl." Even at eight years old Ginny knew when Narcissa had an ulterior motive. Rarely did Narcissa, or Lucius for that matter, do anything without a reason.

"What's her name, Mother?" Draco, the good son that he was, politely asked. He knew just as well as Ginny that his mother was up to something.

"Pansy. She'll be in your year Draco at Hogwarts. Her family is one of the oldest pureblood families in England, like ours." Narcissa paused, taking another sip of her tea. "And yours too, Ginny dear. It will do you both good to get to know a valuable connection, especially before starting school."

The Parkinson Estate, North Yorkshire

"Oh Narcissa, it is such a pleasure to have you and your son here." Mrs. Parkinson said two days later over more tea and scones. Ginny politely accepted a cup from the house elf. They sat in a glorious sun room that overlooked the ocean. The Parkinson's home sat on a hill some distance from the beach. Malfoy Manor dominated it in size and elegance, but the Parkinson's had pure coastal charm. Ginny loved it.

"It's been a long time, Doretta. I find that escaping the country side and heading to the coast is good for one's health. You and your husband have a lovely home here." Narcissa glanced around, surely noting the worn furniture and kitschy knick knacks that decorated the room. It almost resembled the Burrow in warmth. Interestingly Mrs. Parkinson herself was a rather plump woman who seemed to favor extravagant jewels and too tight gowns. Ginny marveled at the contrast between Mrs. Parkinson and the room they were in. She wondered what Pansy Parkinson would be like; she had yet to make an appearance. Ginny, used to Narcissa's strict schedules, certainly wouldn't have been allowed to do that. ("Being late is acceptable only if you are a guest, Ginny, not if you are the hostess," Narcissa often preached.)

"…. Pansy, come in and say hello to Mrs. Malfoy and her son." Mrs. Parkinson called; Ginny looked over to see a girl about her height enter. Like her mother Pansy wore an elegant gown, a miniature adult version of high fashion that could be found in Madam Malkin's shop for a hefty few galleons. Her black hair hit her shoulders with bangs that nearly hid her dark eyes. Cute wouldn't be the most immediate word to describe Pansy Parkinson.

"Hullo," Pansy curtsied, her eyes sweeping over the unfamiliar guests sitting in her sunroom. Her eyes focused on Draco, widening slightly. She blushed.

"Pansy, this is Draco. He'll be in your year, and probably the same house – the Parkinson's have always been in Slytherin (except a great aunt of my husband's, she was a Ravenclaw, the only other acceptable house for a Pureblood of course)."

"And I'm Ginny." Tired of being ignored, Ginny took matters into her own hands. Narcissa looked over at the red headed girl, dressed just as nicely as Pansy, if not better. Her lips lifted up in a slight smile.

"Ginny is our guest for the summer. She is Draco's best friend." Narcissa smiled softly at her, clear affection on her face for a brief moment.

"And of what family is Ginny the daughter of? The Burke's? They are known to have red hair every few generations." Mrs. Parkinson leaned forward, eager to be in the details of Pureblood society.

Narcissa laughed. "The Burke's? God heavens no, Doretta. Ever since the downfall of You-Know-Who no respected Pureblood would dream of being in the company of a Burke."

Mrs. Parkinson nodded fiercely. Her emerald necklace bounced up and down, as well as parts of her body that Ginny wished she hadn't seen. "Of course, of course, I haven't seen Elberta Burke in a long time, now that I think of it.."

"I'm sure you haven't," Narcissa coolly replied. "Ginny is actually Arthur and Molly Weasley's youngest child. Doesn't your husband work at the Ministry? I'm sure he crosses paths with Arthur often. I know Lucius does."

Mrs. Parkinson failed miserably at concealing her gasp. For the first time she seemed to really look at the little girl on Narcissa's left, sitting perfectly straight in her chair and wearing high quality clothes. "Weasley?"

Narcissa smiled, lifting her tea cup once more. "Weasley."

"But Draco, you could be." Once again Ginny found herself arguing with Draco. They stood in front of Quality Quidditch Supplies, staring at the beautiful Nimbus 2000 in the display window.

"Why would I want to be in Gryffindor though? My family has been in Slytherin for generations." Draco's eyes didn't leave the broom. "All families like ours have their own traditional house. All your brothers have been Gryffindor so far."

"Ron'll be Gryffindor too." Ginny said, tugging on Draco's arm. "Can we go to the joke shop?" They started walking down the crowded alleyway. In two weeks the school year would begin, and for the first time Draco would be away at school. Many of the shoppers today were students and their parents, buying school supplies. Narcissa had already begun Draco's shopping for him. She disappeared to Flourish and Blotts a half hour ago.

"Your brother being in Gryffindor is all the more reason in my opinion to follow in my father's footsteps to Slytherin. " Draco sneered slightly, though it lacked any malice. The few times he crossed paths with Ron Weasley often ended in an argument over whether the Chudley Cannons or Falmouth Falcons were the better Quidditch team. Ginny had a feeling once they got to Hogwarts house rivalry would replace the Quidditch one.

"Maybe I'll be the one to break Weasley tradition. I did already, by just being born a girl." She giggled. "I could be Hufflepuff. No one has been in that house in my family for over two hundred years!"

"Hufflepuff? Don't insult yourself." They reached Gambol and Japes. Draco opened the shop door, letting Ginny enter first. "Even Gryffindor is better than that house."

Ginny didn't disagree.