CHAPTER 5: Suspicions.

by Ausaims

Ginny hesitated before following Draco, Ron and Hermione back down the stairs, and a funny look came over her face as she remembered the last time she'd been down in that cellar.

"This is the perfect market for your business." Cowell had said, gesturing grandly around the cellar.

Ginny's eyes had wandered around the cellar, taking in the photographs and magazines proudly displaying naked men and women. She'd moved closer and noticed that one of the magazines which featured more prominently in the display was titled "Playwizard". Her nose wrinkled with disgust at one particular shelf.

"And that's not all," Cowell had said, his chest puffing out importantly. "I've also got things like-"

"Mr. Cowell." Ginny had interupted, feeling slightly nauseous as she suddenly realised what kind of deal Cowell wanted to make. "I don't think I want to know any more."

"Why not?" Cowell had demanded. "I think this is the perfect market for your business. You'd be expanding and making a packet of money as well." His tone had sounded almost pleading.

Ginny had swallowed her repulsion. "I'm sorry Mr. Cowell but I think you've got the wrong idea about Virginia's secret. We cater for the slightly more......tasteful client."

The expression on Cowell's face had changed. Now he looked furious. "You snobby little bitch." He'd snapped.

Ginny's eyes had widened in shock. Being a Weasley the last thing she'd ever been accused of was being a snob, and she couldn't help but smile.

"You can laugh now," Cowell had snapped. "But you won't be laughing soon. I'll teach you a lesson, if it's the last thing I ever do."

The last part had sounded too much like the lines usually uttered by villians in muggle movies and Ginny had shook her head. "Goodbye Mr. Cowell." She said, and she'd left his house with a smile still on her face at being called a snob.

Ginny took a deep breath. Cowell had certainly tried to keep his promise to her! With the help of Rita Skeeter articles about Ginny's "unwholesome"business had appeared in The Daily Prophet often. She hoped desperately that Cowell's cellar was looking a lot different to how it had looked a few months back, and she hurried down the stairs after the others.

Ron and Hermione had turned on the light, and Ginny heard Draco mutter something which sounded very much like a swear word. She felt her breath catch in her throat- if Draco's reaction was anything to go by Cowell had yet to complete his spring-cleaning. And from what she knew of Draco he was bound to connect it to her! She took the final turn in the stairs and then gaped in surprise.

The cellar was filled from top to bottom with various articles which Ginny, even in her inexperience with this, knew to be paraphernalia associated with Dark Wizards!

Draco stepped over to a shelf and picked up a severed hand a strange look on his face. Ron snapped "I suppose the cellar of your family mansion looks exactly like this Malfoy."

Ginny looked at her brother. The disgust was evident on his face as he looked at Draco with distaste.

Draco put the severed hand down and turned to Ron. "I wouldn't know." He said mildly. "I haven't been in there in years."

"Yeah, sure." Ron scoffed.

"Ron." Hermione said firmly. "Let it go."

Draco shot a surprised look at Hermione. They'd never gotten along at school and he was surprised to hear her agree with him now. "For your information Ron I'm not the same person I was back at school. I'm a barrister for the Ministry of Magic now- we're on the same side."

Ron looked as though he were going to dispute this claim, but Hermione had laid a hand on his arm.

Draco sighed. "I better get back to the Ministry and report this new development." He said. "Ron, Hermione."

He turned to Ginny, who was still standing on the last step. "Virginia."He said with a slight smile. "I'm sure we'll be seeing each other soon."

Ginny felt her heart skip a beat. Could it be that she was actually looking forward to seeing Draco again? Before she could reply he'd brushed past her and was on his way out of the room.

"Did you hear that?" Ron burst out. "'I wouldn't know.' I'd bet my last sickle he'd know! I'm not an Auror for nothing!"

"Come on. Let's go to The Leaky Cauldron and have a drink before I have to get back to Hogwarts." Hermione said, ignoring Ron's comments.

"And you," Ron said addressing his comments to his younger sister as they left Cowell's house. "'I';m sure we'll be seeing each other.' Yuck! Malfoy's still as smarmy as ever."

Ginny opened her mouth to defend Draco, but instead she simply shrugged and shook her head. She wasn't going to get involved with petty little rivalries. In her mind it was far more important that they solve the murder of Cowell before she ended up in Azkaban!

Back at The Leaky Cauldron they all ordered drinks and got a table in the corner of the room. "So," Hermione asked quietly. "What do you all think?"

Ron took a sip of his butterbeer before responding. "Well if Cowell's a Dark Wizard- and from what was in that cellar I'd say he's more than involved with the Dark Arts- perhaps that takes the suspicions off Ginny."

Hermione nodded. "What do you think Ginny?" She asked.

But Ginny didn't answer. She was staring over her shoulder as someone entered The Leaky Cauldron. Her eyes met his, and she smiled slightly, but his reaction was far different. His eyes widened in shock and then something like fear, as he spotted the trio, and then he turned and raced away. "Ron, Hermione," Ginny said. "Fudge just came in here and then raced off when he saw us!"