I do not own. Sad face. Special shout out to one Mr. William Shakespeare, and the amazing J.K. Rowling. And don't worry dear readers, Draco may be lurking in the background for now, but he'll be very present soon! I promise.
Ginny would never admit it out loud, but having her family in the luxurious private box for the Quidditch World Cup made her anxious.
The minister for Merlin's sake was right there when Ron burped. She wished the platform would open up and drop her into nothingness. At least Hermione scolded him. George and Fred were too excited to watch the game to do any of their usual antics, with Harry by their side.
"Ginny dear," Narcissa waved her over shortly before the game started. The older woman looked stunning in emerald green, her gown hugging all the right places. The jewels she wore were understated but elegant, a clue to Ginny that Narcissa wished to show the other high society wives that true wealth showed itself off; a lesson that Ginny often heard, and found herself putting into practice when away at school.
For this particular event, Ginny had chosen a trendy Muggle inspired outfit. Her red sundress hit just above the knees, and was complimented with gold sandals, and a simple gold chain necklace. Narcissa nodded approvingly as Ginny joined her side.
"Ginny, I wanted to introduce you to Mr. Montague, a business associate of my husband. He has a son your age who attends Durmstrang with Viktor Krum."
Ginny had thought she knew most of the VIP guests in the minister's box, but sure enough she noticed Mr. Montague, a handsome gentleman with dark features and graying black hair. He stood beside Lucius, observing the Irish and Bulgarian teams that were emerging on brooms from their respected locker rooms. The crowd's roar could be heard through the magical soundproof barrier the minister installed to ensure his guests could mingle without straining to hear each other.
"Mr. Montague will be a frequent guest at the Manor for the next few months, and I think an established connection before the school year will be quite beneficial for you dear."
Ginny didn't have much time to think over what Narcissa said, for a second later both Mr. Montague and Lucius were next to them.
"Mr. Montague, allow me to introduce Ginny Weasley, our goddaughter. She attends Hogwarts with Draco." Narcissa watched as Ginny executed the most perfect curtsey, her back straight.
"Un piacere, Miss Weasley." Mr. Montague gently shook her hand, and lightly placed a barely there kiss on it.
Ginny faked a smile and waited patiently for him to release her hand.
"My son, Ben, is somewhere around here. I believe he went with Draco to another box."
Lucius frowned. "Draco did not inform me of this.."
Narcissa smiled brightly at her husband, placing her hand on his arm. Her emerald ring shone each time one of the spotlights circled around the stadium and hit their box briefly.
"Darling, Draco knows to be aware of his surroundings. I'm sure he went to introduce Ben to his school friends." Lucius continued to frown, but his wife's words seemed to reassure him, as he didn't say anything further on the matter.
Halfway through the match, during which Ginny spent most of the time cheering loudly beside her brothers, Draco entered the box, followed by Ben Montague.
She looked over, not expecting much. But oh Merlin. He towered over Draco by a good few inches. He dressed handsomely; his crisp oxford shirt the same shade of as the Bulgarian flag. Ginny couldn't help but notice it contrasted rather nicely with his summer tan.
If Ben Montague kissed her hand, she would happily let him.
But alas, he did not follow his father's footsteps. In fact, Ben Montague did not introduce himself to Ginny at all, though in Pureblood society, a boy did not go up to a girl without proper introductions by an approved chaperon. Ginny knew eventually they would meet the right way (she loathed the right way).
She just wished it to happen that very moment.
The game went on, ending in an exciting victory for Ireland.
"WE WON! WE WON!" George and Fred sang, dancing around in circles with their arms looped together.
Confetti fell down in the stadium, green and orange. Fireworks went off. The atmosphere both inside the luxury box and outside of it couldn't be described as anything other than electric.
"WE WON!" Fred picked up Ginny, twirling her around and around. She laughed as he tossed her to George effortlessly, who continued to spin them around until the box began to blend together.
He put her down, and she caught her breath. Ginny could feel her cheeks burning pink from laughing so hard. She took a glass of water from a passing house elf, and tried her best to gulp it down as lady like as she could.
"Are you coming back to our tent Ginny, or going with the Malfoys?" Her dad asked from behind her. She turned and hugged him tightly, happy to have experienced the game together. Too often Ginny went off and did things that her parents could only imagine and piece together from her stories.
Before she could answer, Narcissa sauntered over, a flute of champagne in hand.
"Arthur, come with your boys to our home. We're hosting a few of the members from both the Irish and Bulgarian teams for the next few days. Lucius and I would very much like for you to join us."
"That's very kind of you, Narcissa, but.." He wanted to decline, Ginny noted. He struggled internally though with being able to give Ron and the rest of them a chance to mingle with their Quidditch heroes.
"Come, Arthur. We can discuss that business of ours in a comfortable setting. I already had Mitzy send an owl to Molly, and she's already agreed." Lucius joined them.
"Ah, that business…" Arthur smiled faintly. "Alright then, I'll gather up the boys." He paused. "Molly and I have Harry and Hermione as guests.."
Narcissa waved her hand dismissively. "Not an issue, we have plenty of room for everyone." She said it in her 'this discussion is over and you are doing as I say' tone of voice. Molly Weasley also had such a tone, and no one dared to speak against it.
Arthur wisely agreed.