Chapter 7

It's been a week since she's disappeared. I have no idea where she might've gone, unless she went back to The Burrow. It would be very unlike me if I just came up to their place and demand that she come back. And for what reason? Oh sure! I can just say, "Oh Virginia, I really missed you and I need you to come back!" Oh please, everyone would react stupidly to that, especially Ron Weasley, I never really liked him, in fact, I don't. And to think that I chose a sister of his to prey on!

Draco Malfoy had just come in from another meeting and was in a very bad mood. The people at the meeting were very vague and unreasonable to add problems in his life. Now, striding down the corridors of the huge marble building toward the big brass doors, he kept muttering about what he was going to do about the Virginia. He was so deep in thought that he didn't realize until it was too late that he bumped into someone. He swore under his breath before he straightened up and proceeded to go on his way, but then, he caught a glimpse of the man he had bumped into and stopped abruptly. "Seamus Finnigan, what are you doing here?"

Seamus, who was already walking away, stopped and turned slowly to face him. "Nothing that concerns you, Malfoy."

 Draco just let out one of those trademark grins of his and approached him purposely "Everything that I take interest in concerns me, believe me." He levelly stared at the now cowering man. Really now, just a moment ago, Seamus was all strong and looked as if nothing could prevent him from where he was going, but now? Well, the Malfoy charm does it again!

Seamus took a step back "Please, just go away," he closed his eyes shut tightly, as if wishing that Malfoy would just leave him be and give him peace. He already ruined his life enough already. He didn't need any more sorrow to add to it, now that Ginny's gone, everything seemed meaningless.

"Alright, but answer me first," Draco conceded. Seamus nodded reluctantly. "Do you know Virginia's whereabouts?"

Seamus' eyes widened. "What do you mean?" then all of a sudden "What have you done to her?" Seamus took hold of Draco's collar and lifted him a few inches into the air. "What have you done? I swear I'll kill you if you've done anything to hurt her!"

Draco frowned. What was he thinking? Did this idiot think that he'd do anything like this so soon? Yes, he admits that there would be a probability that he'd hurt Ginny at some point, as in really to the point of breaking down badly, but not now. "I haven't done anything to her, yet."

Seamus' hands shook with rage as he furiously stared at Malfoy. "Yet!!!"

"What part of yet don't you understand? Now put me down this instance," Draco replied calmly. Yes, yet, what indeed! Seamus dropped Draco on his feet and took a step back. "How can you say 'yet'? You've already hurt her. Hurt her when I arrived at her house with you there. Was that you're plan?"

Something inside Draco snapped. Was is his plan? Yes and no. He couldn't really vouch for it because he didn't really do anything, he didn't really plan the thing, it just happened. He would can it his plan if he did have any intention of hurting her, but at that time, he didn't.

 "And I know that you've hurt her more than that. Maybe she ran away from you because she couldn't take it anymore. Well, it was the right thing to do. She needs protection from the likes of you, the devil!" Seamus snarled at him, his face contorting with anger.

Protection? Draco just shrugged. So Seamus was right, he did hurt her more than once, but like he said, it wasn't really his plan. It just came his way and seemed fit to do justice to what opportunity brings. "Look Seamus, I don't have time for this,"

 Seamus laughed without emotion. "Sure you do, you never do,"

Draco sighed impatiently. "Just tell me where I can find The Burrow, the easiest way."

"Hah! Now why would I tell you that? You with all of your connections and you're infernal sources! Go figure it out yourself!" and with that, Seamus turned on his heel and left Draco scowling after him.

* * *

"Yes, I'm sure, I'll be there in two hours at the most to pick him up. Yeah, I'd appreciate it a lot if someone could bring him to Rainer's day-care place. Yes, thank you ever so much. May I please speak with him?" Harry was on the phone and talking to the teacher in charge of Tristan's kindergarten class. Unfortunately, there were some important matters he had to attend to and he had to make sure that his kids were alright.

 "Papa?" Tristan came online. Immediately, Harry broke into a smile as he heard his son's voice, it's as if all the problems just disappeared. Funny how children can do that to you, yeah, kids are wonderful things, but at times you wonder why you love them when they cause so much trouble!

"Hey! How are you?" Harry greeted his son fondly. "What have you been up to?"

Tristan happily told his accounts of what happened that day, such as writing numbers and the alphabet and storytelling. "How about you?"

"Well, it wasn't as much fun as yours was," Harry laughed. "Well Tristan, I'm going to have you brought to Rainer's day-care right now-"

"Why???" Tristan interrupted, his voice high pitched on the line.

Harry winced, "Its because, I'll be home late and I need you to be with your little sister until I get back. I need you to be a good brother and watch over her, okay?" Harry explained slowly to Tristan so that he'd take it in completely.

"Uh-huh, how long?" Tristan agreed. "Will you bring us presents?" he added eagerly.

Harry laughed again. Yeah, his son knew always made it a habit to ask for something when he'd be out late. "Maybe, if you're a good boy. Anyway, I have to go now Tristan, Bye!"

"Bye Papa! Love you!" Tristan shouted over the phone. "Love you too!" Harry returned lovingly as he hung up the phone. Harry shook his head and smiled as he made his way down the corridor to his agenda, whistling a tune and swinging his briefcase along.

* * *

Ginny awoke to the sounds of her brothers squabbling downstairs. She had no idea of what they were fighting about now; all she knew was that it was too early to get up. She turned to her side and looked at her bedside clock. It was only 8:00 am. Still to early to do anything. She groaned and turned over to her other side and yanked the covers over her head.

Downstairs, The Weasley brothers were sitting around the dining table, reaching past each other to get their desired plates of food. Molly and Arthur Weasley tried to settle them down because it was very impolite to do so along with the fact that their dear sister was still in bed sleeping.

"Alright! That's enough, I wont have any sons of mine acting like ruffians in my house!" Molly bellowed as her fist slammed unto the table. The plates shook making their contains jump.

Fred and George looked at each other and grinned.

"Mum, you've been saying that ever since we were kids, wont you give it a rest?" George took a big gulp from his water and after which he burped rudely.

Fred laughed joyously. "Yeah Mum! We're not kids anymore." "You still act like you are!" she retorted but smiled as she sat back down in her seat.

"By the way," Bill spoke up, waving his fork in the air with a piece of bacon on it, "When do you suppose Ginny will wake up?"

 "Why? Any special reason?" Charlie looked at the ceiling, tilting his head to the side, pondering the same question as well. "Oh nothing really, just some catching up to do." Was all Bill said as he chomped down his bacon in two bites and flashed his teeth at them.

Percy nodded his agreement "I, too, can't wait till she gets up, I need to talk to her about what's been happening in her department with the Ministry, there's something rather strange lately going on."

 "Really? Like what?" Ron leaned forward excitedly. Ron also worked in the Ministry as an Auror like Harry, but he also helped his Dad in some stuff. His Dad handled Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department, along with its lower branch: Muggle Creations because he was just so fascinated on how Muggles could create such things and survive life with meager invention. Ron hardly had time to go out and take on Auror assignments because of his Dad constantly badgering him to help him gather information and all.

Percy's brow wrinkled with thought as he gathered his thoughts. "Well, Draco Malfoy has been seen in the building lately, usually in Ginny's department, which is kind of absurd because Malfoy absolutely hates Muggles!"

 "Uh-huh, maybe he's just checking up---on them?" Ron said uncertainly and shrugged afterwards. Yeah, come to think of it, why would Malfoy be in the Muggle Activities Department? Why would he be interested in what Muggles were doing? Maybe it was more than that? Who knows? No one ever knows what Malfoy's were up to anyway!

Ginny decided to get out of bed and have some breakfast. She lugged herself out and went into the bathroom to freshen up, after which she put on some jumper-shorts and a loose shirt and headed downstairs to be greeted by her family.

"Breakfast? Or should I say Brunch?" her Dad gestured at the food on the table.

 "Sounds good!" she chirped as she took her place beside Ron, who was on her left and Fred who was on her right. "Pass the bacon please." She poked Ron on the shoulder lightly.

 Ron passed her the bacon and the rest of the food to her.

 "Are you sick?" Charlie pressed his hand on Ron's forehead. Ron frowned slightly and pulled back "What do you mean?"

Bill laughed. "Ron, you don't usually give Ginny what she wants on the first round, you usually squabble about it!" Then he looked at Ginny, "Isn't that right, hmmm?"

 Ginny grinned. "Yeah Ron! There must be something bothering you! Don't tell me! Hermione and you have a fight?" Hermione and Ron have been steady for two years now and her parents were constantly asking him when he was going to propose to her. The prospect of having grandchildren around the house made them perfectly happy. They had given up hope that Fred and George would settle down and have a family. Bill and Charlie were too busy to even consider meeting a girl, though, rumors got to Ron that Bill had been meeting with the part Veela, Fleur Delacour. Though, Ron never did tell his parents that they have been meeting because it isn't confirmed yet. Ron shook his head violently. "NO!"

Everyone just laughed and talked about the upcoming weekend.

* * *

Harry Potter was surprised to see Seamus Finnigan walking ahead of him in such a rush, making him awfully curious to know what he was doing here. So, Harry quickened his pace to catch up with Seamus. "Seamus!" Harry called as he neared him. Seamus whirled around surprised to hear Harry calling him.

"Hey!" he greeted the dark haired boy.

"What are you doing here?" Harry stopped in front of him and replied

 "I should ask you that question since you don't work here while I do."

Seamus laughed. "Okay, you got me there, actually, I thought it over and decided to see Ginny, but when I got to her department, they informed me that she had taken a leave of absence for some time."

Harry scrunched up his nose. "That's very unlike her to leave just like that. Did she leave a reason why?"

Seamus shrugged and answered, "Not really, they just said that she told them it was personal matters that needed attending to."

"Oh." was all Harry said. "Well, I'm glad that you decided to talk to her,

" Wish I could! "

"She said it was personal matters, right? You think she might be back in The Burrow?" he suggested to Seamus, it would seem like the ideal place for Ginny to go to."

 "That's what I told that rat Malfoy!" Seamus muttered under his breath.

"Malfoy!?" Harry echoed incredulously. So, Malfoy was here too, looking for Ginny, what for? Yeah, as if its your business Harry! Yeah, but I cant just leave her with Malfoy trailing her. Well, you moron, you were the one that got mad at her in the first place, do you actually think she'd be willing to talk to you now?

"Yeah, Malfoy, asking me where Ginny went, I told him to bug off and get a life of his own and stop hurting her, seems like he just doesn't want to hurt her, seems like he wants to leave her hanging by a thread on a cliff!" Seamus nearly shouted.

People passing by turned to stare at them Harry rolled his eyes. Oh what now? "Listen Seamus, I'll drop in on you some other time, I need to pick up my kids now."

"Oh, sure Harry! You're welcome anytime, safe driving okay?" Seamus smiled at Harry, forgetting instantly the anger he felt. He shook Harry's hand and watched him go through the Exit.

* * *

Draco was in his vast library, containing all the books everyone could possible imagine, reading on where Ginny might be. He already knew that she was in The Burrow, but where was The Burrow? He didn't know why he still bothered to look for it, since he knew he couldn't just appear out of the blue and demand that he see her. Maybe it was just instinct to know where his prey is. Just like a hawk, constantly keeping track of where its food might be. Draco had also called numerous people, mainly his spies and connections, asking if they knew where Ginny might be. Of course, they knew very little of the exact location because the Weasley family was overlooked. The idea of him asking the Ministry was crazy. They'd be puzzling over the thing on why he would want to know where the Weasleys lived.

 Then, the doorbell rang and Draco jumped down from his ladder, eager to get away from his research, which wasn't going anywhere at all. He coursed through the corridors and to the big mahogany doors and pulled it open. There stood his mother, Narcissa Malfoy, smiling at him.

"Mother! What are you doing here?" Draco quickly kissed his mother on both cheeks before helping her inside the house.

 "I decided to leave the Bahamas earlier and come see you instead, why are you busy?" she teased him as she gave him her coat to hand.

Draco smirked. "It's very unlike you to just leave in the middle of your vacation just to see me, very unlike you indeed!"

Narcissa just laughed. "Now Draco, I don't see you all the time because you're always running off and doing something else or you're always busy with your work." They entered the Family Room of the Malfoy Manor in which Malfoy uttered "Incendio!" to light the fireplace.

"Thank you dear." Narcissa nodded approvingly at her soon as she sat down to take her seat. It wasn't that Narcissa lived away from the Manor, in fact, she lived here most of her life, its just that Draco always got home late or he just never came home for some days, which got her worried at times, but she knew that her son was very responsible and well disciplined to always come back to reassure her that he was alright. After all, Draco was her only son and child, he was everything to her, and he knew that. That's why he made it a priority to tell her or leave her a note on where he was going.

Draco sat opposite of her, watching his mother's resting form. She had her eyes shut gently and looked absolutely beautiful. People say that Draco got his mother's beauty and grace, it was true, from the hair to the eyes and the well-sculpted face, yes, it was all true. Now, Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy, that's where Draco got all his wits, skills and personality. But then, Draco resented his father. He knew from the start that his Father was big trouble. He died during the war and that was that. Draco and Narcissa were both happy of the outcome. Lucius was so terrible that none of them grieved his lost. Draco adored his mother, he'd protect her from anything. He had this bond with her, its like, when she feels something's wrong, he knows it too, it's the same with her. You can call it a Mother and Son bond that links both of them together, there's no use escaping it.

"Draco, come here," Narcissa said softly, a pale hand reaching toward him.

Draco took her hand and stood up to squat in front of her, caressing her hand with his thumb. "What is it Mother?"

Her eyes fluttered open and her eyes conveyed nothing but happiness and sincerity as she looked upon her only son. Draco's eyes, which were inherited from his mother, were slightly sharper and had more gray in them than blue, until he met that incident which made his eyes aesthetic and ethereal, no one knew except his mother, he dared not tell anyone about it. It was dangerous to let anyone know. "Draco, tell me, is there something wrong?" she put a hand to his cheek.

He sighed and leaned into his mother's soothing touch. "Is there any use trying to hide it?"

 Narcissa's eyes twinkled with laughter because she knew it was true that there was nothing that Draco would hide from her. Yes, she unfortunately knew of Draco's new hobby of breaking the girls' hearts, she disliked it at first and she still does, but she couldn't deny Draco his happiness, though she still let Draco continue with it because it seems that it makes Draco a stronger person. Along with that, she knows Draco doesn't do anything as far as killing them.

"Well, don't be shocked, but I must warn you, you might not like it," he warned her seriously.

"Oh come now dear, surely it cant be that bad!" she exclaimed.

"Virginia Weasley is my new target and there seems to be complications arising." Draco confessed to Narcissa, waiting for her outburst or denial, but nothing came. Instead, it was just silence that came to him. What's wrong with her?

"Virginia Weasley?" she said slowly, as if tasting it on her tongue. Then she burst out laughing.

"What?" he honestly didn't know what she was laughing for. It wasn't the least bit funny.

"Why would you pick her? I know she's a nice girl, a very nice girl, but I expected your tastes to be higher Draco!" Narcissa was shaking her head now as she calmed down a bit. He thought it might come to that.

"Mother, yes its true that my tastes tend to run to more exotic girls, but seeing the Weasley girl, well I need something new," he amended. "Besides, she's not like all other girls, and I was right in pursuing her." He added.

"Whatever you say dear." Narcissa said.

* * *

Harry arrived exactly on time to pick up Rainer and Tristan up from the day-care center. Upon entering the building, screams of delight and laughter immediately wafted up to him. Lots of kids were running around and chasing each other and some were on different playgrounds located in the building. He craned his neck to find Tristan or Rainer on the Waiting Room, but he couldn't locate them anywhere. His heart pounded as he rushed to the Assistant inside the room and asked her if she any of his kids. She shook her head no and apologized. Harry muttered a thank you and went to search the other places. He had been searching for over half and hour now and the place was about to close up. Sitting on a plastic bench in The Swings Area, he lowered his head in his hands and let his thoughts drift away. He needed to rest. He had been circling the place like a hawk just to find his children. What kind of place is this? Aren't they supposed to be looking after my children?! Its totally insane for them to just let them run around unsupervised by anyone!

Just then, Harry heard vague laughter from the far side of the area. Gee, it sounds like my kids.could it? Harry looked up and squinted his eyes to see better. He had to stand up and walk a few feet closer to where the voices were coming from to get a better view. Rounding the corner of a wide swing structure, his heart lifted when he saw Tristan pushing Rainer on the swings with Rainer laughing merrily. Harry watched a while as his boy pushed Rainer on the swings with no complaint, a smile on his face and talking to his baby sister in baby-talk. Yeah, Tristan will be a good older brother to Rainer. I'm glad that they're really close. Then, Harry called over to them.

 "Papa!" Tristan yelled as he clutched the chains to stop Rainer from swinging. "Look Rainer, its Papa." Tristan whispered to his sister as he pointed at him.

Rainer turned to look in Harry's direction and gave him a smile and wave with her tiny hand. "Papa."

Harry broke into a grin. He knew that Rainer could say Papa already and along with other words, she was a smart kid. She was only 10 months old and she had already started to talk on her 9th month and later on sing, or try to sing parts of nursery rhymes. Rainer had also started to walk on her two feet just this month and already she was running expertly. "Hey there!" he jogged over to them. "I was looking all over the place for you!"

Tristan grinned. "We got bored and we wanted to play. are you mad?" the little boy's face turned sullen at the thought of getting spanked for doing something bad.

"No, no, no," Harry soothed him as he kneeled down to look into Tristan's eyes. "You were a good boy, watching over you little sister."

Above them, sitting on the swings, Rainer giggled and began kicking her feet, indicating that she wanted to go down already. Harry brushed himself off and took Rainer in his one arm and scooped Tristan up in the other. Off they went, back to their mansion. Upon arriving at the house, Harry let down his kids and went over to his office to see if any new messaged came up on his answering machine.

There was only one. Harry pushed the button to play the message and heard a very familiar voice relay a message: "Meet me Knockturn Alley at Midnight." There was no threat to it, but nevertheless, Harry made up his mind to go meet with him.

Malfoy better have a good explanation for this.