Chapter 8

It was very well freezing when Harry Potter reached Knockturn Alley. This event was uncalled for! He hated leaving his children all alone in the house, its not that he didn't trust the charms and spells that the Ministry of Magic had put on his house, its just that, Parental Instincts cause you to worry. Plus, he hated Draco Malfoy for calling him out here. No one ever knows what the conniving rat was up to; it can never be good though.

Pushing the door to the tavern that was just ahead of him, a stench wafted to his nose, which caused him to gag. I'll really kill Malfoy for this! He scanned the area for a certain blonde hair man; it was very easy to spot him really. No one really looks like Malfoy. He strode over to him and glared down his nose, expecting Malfoy to say something crude about his arrival.

"Have a seat, Potter," was all the blonde said.

I must be out of mind! Malfoy must've been hit on the head or something! Nevertheless, Harry took the seat opposite of his enemy. "Spill Malfoy. Why did you call me here at this mad hour?" Harry formed a steeple with his fingers as he looked at Malfoy.

Malfoy took time before he answered Harry's question. He was turning the wine glass this way and that by the stem. The burgundy wine moved like little waves, crashing against the crystal sides. He took a quick glance at Harry through the wine and started to speak. "You being a close associate of Virginia, I assume you know her whereabouts?"

Harry's mouth dropped open. So! He's run out of ideas on where she might be…not unless he finally knows where except he doesn't know the exact location. Seamus was right! Malfoy was on the hunt for Virginia. "Why?"

"I knew it wasn't going to be easy trying to get the question out of you. Listen Potter, I know where she is, I just need to know where exactly. It's not like the Weasleys have their address published, do they?" Draco frowned slightly as he put the glass back down on the table.

"Being rich does have its downsides, doesn't it?" Harry smirked as he called for someone to take his order. "I'll have the same thing he's having," he gestured at Malfoy's glass. The waiter left to get Harry's order. "Being a Malfoy, you thought you could have everything, you would know everything, but no you don't. You don't even know where her house is," Harry shook his head. "What a shame!" he grinned, loving the moment when a furious look descended upon Malfoy's face.

"Look, I'm trying to find her!" Malfoy said through gritted teeth. Potter was the only one who could help him now, at the same time; Potter was the only one who could only make him this mad.

"Why? So you could just torture her with your little game?" Harry shot back. "I think not!"

"Have you forgiven her?" Malfoy retorted as well. "I thought you cut off all connections from her because you despised her. Remember, the day you said we belonged to each other just because of that little incident?" he leaned back in his seat and grinned deliciously at Harry's shocked expression.

"Yes, its true that I said those things to her. But I decided to ask for forgiveness and forgive her at the same time. True that it was wrong, it was wrong mainly because of your influence," Harry pointed an accusing finger at Draco. "I'm willing to mend ties again with her because I know that I wont ever forgive myself if I just let her go without making amends!" The waiter came and set Harry's drink in front of him and left again. Harry took a swig from his glass and glared once more at Draco. "Unlike you, I have good intentions, probably the only time I'll let you know of her whereabouts is if you'd go to her apologizing for what you've done."

"And what if I'm willing to do that?" Draco calmly replied. "What if I really wanted to do that in the first place? You think I'm all this and that, frankly I'm not! You assume that just because I'm a Malfoy, I'm supposed to be crude and stupid. Well, for your information, I'm more than what meets the eye." Draco said with such force that he nearly spilled the wine across the table. "Just because the Malfoys had an encounter with the Dark Side, and had a bad reputation that traveled that wildfire, doesn't mean I have to live up to it, I can change if I wanted to, and I have." He said stubbornly now. This time, Draco drank from his glass, drowning the last drop and slammed it unto the table.

Harry was speechless, he hated to admit it, but he as in awe of this man. Yes its true that the Malfoys had a run in with Voldemort and that Lucius Malfoy had left the family behind and was eventually sought after by the others and was killed, resulting that the family had a hard time dealing with their surroundings. Sure they recovered and people have started accepting them into the community, but Draco's improvement really was the one that made his family rise again. He could actually admire Malfoy for doing that, but Malfoy still hasn't learned to actually be a decent man in the world. Constantly chasing after women, using and deceiving them and bending their minds with his will just so that they will succumb to his primal needs. He did the same thing to Ginny, why wasn't he stopping himself in giving him the answers? Maybe it was all an act, but it was too real not to believe it.

Harry sighed and rubbed his forehead and hesitantly told him where The Burrow is. Malfoy stared at him in quiet contemplation and paid for his drink and Harry's, which was quite another surprise to the brunette. "Just don't make it worse…"
"You think I don't know that? I know what to do," Malfoy stood up and brushed himself off. "I guess I'll just leave you here, I can't be seen walking around with you. People will start getting suspicious, and besides, we are still rivals," he walked out into the night leaving Harry with his unfinished wine of glass.

* * *

Ginny smiled to herself as she surveyed her home. It had that warm cinnamon smell and the fire was roaring in the fireplace. It was like Christmas but it was only Thanksgiving now. Well, Thanksgiving wasn't until a few weeks, but her parents had to make everyone join in the festivities, not that she minded. She loved helping around to decorate the house for holidays. It reminded her of the good old days when they were all assigned tasks to do. Ginny would usually be in the kitchen helping her mum make her homemade recipes. Her brothers would be with their dad decorating the outside of the house and the interior as well. Now, she found herself and her brothers doing the same thing, she had the better part though. She didn't have to be outside in the cold fixing things; rather, she can be all toasty and warm helping out in the kitchen. Right now, they were just baking a batch of cookies along with apple cider to go along with it. When the timer went off, she heard the door open and a stampede of footsteps heading her way.

"Is that what I think it is?" Ron smacked his lips and sniffed the air. "Cookies and apple cider…mmmmm! MINE!" he made a move towards the oven.

"I don't think so!" Fred grabbed Ron by the waist and pulled him back. Ron and Fred started fighting, which George the chance to make a dash to get the cookies. Sadly, he was also pulled back by Charlie, who was pulled back by Bill. Percy was left scowling at them as he stepped all over his brothers to help Ginny take out the cookies from the oven.

"Honestly! Am I the only one here that has enough sense to wait?" Percy got the mugs out of the cupboard so that Ginny could start pouring the cider into them.

"He has enough sense to know why we want the cookies badly!" Ron grabbed a cookie from the cooling tray and bit into it. "Yeow! It's hot! Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!" Ron stuck his tongue out and started fanning it with his hand.

Fred and George rolled their eyes and took one cookie each and blew on it until it cooled down. They took their seats around the table and gestured for Bill, Percy and Charlie to join them.

"By the way Gin, where's Mum and Dad?" Ron asked Ginny as she started putting the cookies into a bowl.

"They're out, shopping for the other stuff." She shrugged as she brought the bowl over to the table.

"What other stuff?" George grabbed a cookie and bit into it. He made a face as he realized that it was too hot to bite.

"You know, the usual. Turkey and all those things." Ginny went back to the counter to get the pitcher of cider.

"This early?" Bill waved his mug in the air, motioning for Ginny to pour him some more.

Ginny shrugged again and she filled his mug.

"Percy, when are they heading home?" Fred glanced at his brother, who was drinking form his own mug. "Any idea?"

"Around an hour or so," Percy replied as he patted the chair beside him for Ginny to sit.

Ginny took of her apron and tossed it unto the counter and happily took her seat beside Percy and got a cookie herself and started munching away. "Yum! This is good! What am I saying? Of course it's good because I baked it!"

Everyone laughed and Charlie pretended to throw his cookie at her. Just then, the doorbell rang and they all looked at each other, wondering who it might be. It couldn't be their parents because Percy did say that they'll be back and hour or so later, Percy was mostly usually correct. Ginny stood up. "I'll get it." She disappeared into the other room with everyone talking again behind her. She threw her hands up in disgust. As usual, her brothers made her do all the work, but then, it's the price she has to pay for being the youngest. Yeah, she was spoiled by all of them and she knew it, she could be fair to them by doing this. She threw open the door and she could feel her jaw drop open and her eyes pop out at the sight in front of her. Wake up! Snap out of it! This is all a horrible dream…a nightmare! No matter how many times she blinked, the image in front of her refused to disappear or change.

"Good Morning Virginia, " Draco greeted her, smiling as he bowed politely.

"Wh-what are you doing here? You have no right to be here!" she stammered. Seeing him made her all ad again, but she also felt this strange sensation crawling up her spine when she saw him. No! You can't do this to yourself! You'll just be hurt again. "Answer me! Or else!"

"Virginia, I-" he began, but was cut short when Ron appeared and yelled in shock.

"Malfoy! What the bloody hells are you doing here? How did you get here? How do you now where we lived?" Ron started waving his fist wildly in the air, striding towards Ginny and Draco. "You're up to no good I'm bloody sure!" Ron yelled into Draco's face.

Draco smiled to himself. He's still the same. Still temperamental as usual. "I have business with your sister,"

"No you don't!" Ron grabbed Draco by the collar and shoved him further outside and shut the door close.

"Ron!" Ginny shouted as she opened the door again to find Draco waiting outside patiently. "Even if he's got a bad reputation and all, he's a guest!" she helped him inside. It sends chills throughout her body to touch Draco again, it had been a really long time since she saw or heard him. She guided him to the Living Room; she couldn't bring him to the Family Room because it was adjacent to the kitchen. Ron followed closely behind, scowling at Malfoy from behind his back. Ginny told him to sit down on the chair and she sat opposite of him, waiting for him to speak. She was supposed to tell him to just get on with it, but Ron beat her to it.

"Well? If you've got noting to say, I'm going to throw you out!" he crossed his arms across his chest and waited for Malfoy to say something.

Draco cleared his throat and ignored Ron and focused on Ginny. "I need to talk to you in private. I can't really say this in front of your brother,"

"Ahem, you mean brothers," Bill appeared with the rest of the troop. The others were all staring at Draco as if he brought something bad into the house.

Draco was surprised. He hadn't expected all the Weasley Brothers to be here. How will he ever get his privacy? How will he ever get a moment alone with her? Alright, maybe it was a bad idea to come here, he should've been prepared for something like this would happen. Stupid, very stupid indeed!

Ginny stared at him now, challenging him, a cruel smile playing on her lips. What can you do now, hmmm? Its amazing that…maybe, just maybe Malfoy is losing his confidence! Wouldn't that be a very good thing! Yes, but it would be very nice to hear what he wants to say without my brothers interfering…especially Ron…She glanced at Ron uncertainly. Its obvious that she's have to get rid of them just to listen to Malfoy, she'd have to keep them close by just in case…but not to close for them to actually barge in and to eavesdrop. "You guys might want to leave, he may have important business to discuss with me,"

"But!" Ron half whined and half complained.

"After all, Percy did say that Mr. Malfoy has been seen near my department, I cant just leave a client hanging, no matter who the person is," she said the last phrase with forcefulness at the same time shooting Malfoy a venomous look.

Charlie sighed in the back, shooing everyone away into the other room, far away from the two. Before leaving with them, he left Ginny with a note. "Remember, we'll be here in case you need us." Then looking at Malfoy with such bluntness on his face, "Don't do anything that will get you in trouble." And then, Charlie left to join his brothers.

Ginny let out a sigh and listened for any of her brothers. True that they were over protective, but they should know that they could trust her. Now, leaning back in her seat, she laced her fingers together and asked Malfoy to start talking.

"When do you plan to keep this up?" he simply said. "You'll have to come back sooner or later. If you're going to say that I'm lying…yes, I wont deny it,"

"I knew it, but really, has my department been doing anything since I left?" Ginny had a worried expression on her face. "You were there looking for me, weren't you? I'd like to know both reasons." Now her expression changed to that off patience.

Draco rubbed his forehead. "One, I needed to talk to you the Muggle Activities, after all, you are in charge of that, " then he crossed his legs and continued. "Second, well, let's just say that life back at home is very boring without you," he flashed his teeth at her and uncrossed and crossed his feet again.

Ginny frowned. "I wont really touch up on your second answer, as for the fact about my department, why are you taking such an interest in Muggles all of a sudden? It's unlike a Malfoy to do so, I mean, I don't really mean anything bad by it…"

First Potter, now her. Why is it always that everyone expects a Malfoy to be like this and like that? Frankly, it's annoying! He didn't realize that he was talking aloud because he heard her gasp in surprise and apologizing.

"Oh, I didn't realize that you felt that way!" Ginny bowed her head in apology.

Draco waved his hand in dismissal. "About the muggles, well, I've been meaning to buy another estate, really nice you know, but the thing is, its near a where muggles usually hang about…what do you call those places?" he began snapping his fingers, trying to look for the proper word.

"Malls," she supplied. "Where does my job come in?"

"I can't just kill off everyone, cant I? And besides, if I did wipe out the entire mall, as you call it, the Ministry would have my head!" Draco shook his head. "Can't you contact a muggle and tell them to move the location?"

"Can't you find another estate?" she countered. "I'm sure there are other nice estates around here," she was cut short by Draco's interruption.

"If you could only see the estate, I'm sure you'll see why I'm persistent in attaining it," he countered back. "I can bring you there some time next week if you want," he examined his fingers coolly.

What nerve! Telling me to come with him just to see an estate…who does he think he's fooling?

"I need to buy the estate for some reasons," he looked up from his nails. "One, I need to buy it for my Mother, two, its going to be made into a rest house."

"You're mother? Why cant she just live with you in your manor?" she asked incredulously. "Are you trying to get rid of her?" she shut her mouth when he gave her a ferocious look. Wrong idea!

"My mother needs a house where she can be close to nature, you might ask why do I choose a place that's near a mall? Simply because the place behind the mall has very rich land, along with the fact that it's the place where the first Malfoy Manor was built. How you may I ask I know this? Again, its simple, being a Malfoy, you're entitled to your research and therefore must know the Family History." He explained patiently to her. But of course, there are other certain reasons behind that. She can't refuse me now.

"Well, it does seem like a good enough answer or reason, alright, I'll go," she finally answered. "Besides, I can't not go because the Ministry would also have my head for just refusing you without any real reason,"

"It's called bad business," Draco said.

* * *

The Weasley Brothers were waiting anxiously for their sister to emerge from the next room. They couldn't really pass by in the middle of a business conversation, it was rude, besides, she might think that they didn't trust her. It's been a full whole hour that they they've been waiting. So far, not a single scream or noise came from the next room. Malfoy might've been behaving well, but then, that man had a few tricks up his sleeve. Bill and Charlie were staring at the space leading to the next room. Percy was reading the newspaper and the twins were scheming about something. Ron, well, Ron was Ron. He couldn't stop pacing back and forth and muttering under his breath. Most things you could catch from his were curse words and dark words, mainly stuff about killing Malfoy.

It's been a long wait, but finally, Ginny emerged into their room with Malfoy a few steps respectively behind her. "Just business."

Oh really? Draco thought.

Just then, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Percy got up and headed for the door.

Ron glared at Draco. Right away, everyone felt the static in the air.

"I think I'm going to go up," Fred started inching towards the stairs.

"Me too!" George followed suit and both of them bolted up the stairs to shut themselves in their room. They didn't want to be involved in their temperamental brother's fight, if there was going to be a fight.

Charlie and Bill looked at each other and shrugged. They figured that they'd break it up if anything happened. They could handle it, it was their responsibility.

"How's everyone?" they heard their mother headed towards them.

Everyone looked teach other in alarm, all except for Draco. They saw their Mother come in, followed by their father. Their parents had a shocked expression on their faces. "Good Afternoon, Draco Malfoy, what brings you to our home?" Molly quickly smiled at the young man in their house.

Draco smiled warmly in return and walked towards her and clasped her hand and shook it, just like with any other acquaintance. He did the same with Arthur Weasley, who in return offered him a seat. "Good Afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."

Molly and Arthur sat beside on either side of Ginny on the couch.

"Mum, Dad, Mr. Malfoy came here for business, I was quiet surprised to see him in our doorway, mainly because I never knew he knew where we lived." She was stuttering now out of pure nervousness.

"How did it go?" Arthur asked Draco, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Maybe I could be of some help, Ginny and I almost share the same topic at work."

"Well, I'm not really sure if it concerns you in what you're specializing in, sir. I just need to buy an estate and I need Ms. Weasley to make negotiations with some Muggles, it's the most proper thing to do because she has connections."

Molly nodded in agreement. "Yes, it certainly is. Ginny does take her work seriously, what do you plan to do?"

"I'll be taking her around next week, so she can have a look at it. Then she can inform me on how I should move. It would be hard just to approach muggles and tell them what to do, she's more familiar with them." Draco gestured at Ginny. "That is, if you're allowing me to bring her,"

Arthur and Molly looked at each other, their eyes saying all the words that need not be said. "Alright, but there are some rules you must know," Arthur held up a finger. "One, you have to bring her back before midnight, " he ticked off his index finger. "Two, I want both of you to behave like adults," he looked sternly at both of them and held up three fingers, "Three, try to have fun."

Ginny laughed at her father. "Dad! I thought you were serious!"
"He is," Molly spoke up. "Of course, he wouldn't want you two to be bored of your wits!"

Charlie and Bill laughed too. "Where exactly is this estate?" Bill asked Draco.

"Behind a mall," Draco shrugged. He informed them of what the estate was supposed to

be and they were all pretty much in agreement to what he was doing. Ron seemed kind of disbelieving.

"How will I know that you'll actually keep these rules?" Ron sniffed and crinkled his nose in disgust, as if Draco was the one giving off the putrid smell. "You have a reputation for breaking rules."

"Hush! "Molly scolded her son. "That's no way to treat a guest!"

"No, it's alright Mrs. Weasley, I guess I did have a reputation for being foul being, but I assure you, I've changed for the past few years ever since the Dark Side started rising again. You have my word that I will abide by these rules you have set down for me, I swear that if I do break them, I'll kill myself." Draco solemnly promised Ginny's parents. He'd never go back on his word, everyone knew that.

"Well, there you have it!" Arthur stood up, sounding jolly, helping his wife stand up as well. "What time is it?"

"Judging by the outside, I'd say it's around 6:00 p.m. by now," Bill glanced outside the window, noting the darkness.

"Oh my! We've taken too much of your time, please forgive us!" Molly hung her head, apologizing for the ignorance of time. "We can make it up to you,"

Draco shook his head and smiled softly. "No, no, I couldn't, I would be imposing on you then,"

Molly took him by the arm and guided him into the dining room. "You will have dinner here with us, it's the least I can do."

Ron's jaw dropped open. "What?!" he followed hi Mother into the dining room. "How can you do this?"
"Simple, its called manners, which I'm afraid you still haven't got." She clucked her tongue and began getting the ingredients out of the cupboard and refrigerator.

Draco watched everyone, amused at the events taking place before him. Ron, was openly complaining to his mother and Arthur was talking with Ginny about business. He never really expected that he would be staying this long in their house, let alone that he would be staying for dinner too. This would be interesting.

"Ginny dear, why don't you accompany Mr. Malfoy back to the Living Room, I'm sure it would be much better than staying in here," Molly suggested to her daughter.

"Oh sure Mum! Sorry Dad, duty calls," she excused herself from her father and led Draco back into their Living Room. "Sit," she gestured at the seat that used to be hers.

Draco sat and rested his head in his hands. "He still hasn't changed much, has he?"

"Who? Ron?" Ginny looked back into the kitchen, watching her ever-unchanging brother. "Yeah, in a way he hasn't, but I like him the way he is, even though he can be really annoying at times," she sat down opposite of him, tucking her legs under her.

Draco chose to remain silent, closing his eyes and trying to shut out all the sounds around him. He was tired, that was a fact, he didn't know why, but maybe it was just because he had succeeded in completing his mission. How long has it been? He didn't know, all he knew was that it was the month of November and there would be some special events planned.

"Are you feeling okay? Do you need an aspirin?" Ginny's voice broke into his thoughts.

He shook his head lightly. "No, I'm fine."
Ginny frowned and got up from her seat and knelt in front of him, laying her hand on his forehead gently. "Funny, it doesn't feel like a fever, are you eating right?" she pulled her hand back and sat back in her seat, leaning slightly forward, observing him carefully.

"I'm not sick, and yes, I've been eating regularly like everyone else does." He snapped at her. "I'm sorry," he added. "Maybe its just because of this whole business thing."

"Oh, I understand, " she nodded. "No offense taken."

Just then, her mother came in and asked them if chicken in lemon sauce was alright with them. She stopped short when she saw Draco's appearance. "Are you feeling alright?" she walked towards him and repeated the same thing her daughter did.

He nodded plainly and closed his eyes again. Why does everyone keep asking me this question when I say I'm fine?

"You know, just to be sure, after dinner, I think I'd better let you stay here for the night, that way you'll be okay in the morning, no, I wont let you object, I'm putting my foot down on this," with that, she strutted back into the kitchen, telling Arthur his condition. Ginny and Draco could hear Arthur offering to pull out the fold-up bed in the Living Room.

"I guess you're stuck with us," Ginny sighed as closed her eyes too.

I guess I am. Draco thought and laid his head back into the soft texture of the seat.