Hey guys! Uhm, before you all kill me because its been like I don't know, a year since I've updated don't! Contrary to your beliefs I still love you all and I lost this chapter and instead of like sitting around crying about it I'm re-writing it. Trust me when I say this: I simply haven't found the time to lay down ten pages in a while, school wants to like decapitate me and debate certainly doesn't help either.
Anyway enough excuse making, I had to rediscover the plot and I think it's taken a few twists and turns as well. Most of you I'm sure are beginning to get it all straightened out and this chapter will include some more of that famous drama, drama, drama between some characters. So read it, enjoy it, leave me reviews cause I swear I won't update unless I see some just because I'm too time consumed to write it unless people want to read it. Besides if you do I'll give you a cookie.
Disclaimer: (no matter how long its been I still hate these) I do not own anything affiliated with Harry Potter or anything else you recognize and know I don't own. I down own Seth, Aidan, Tristian, Jackson, Tracy and anything you don't recognize =)
**BIG NOTE! I know this most likely isn't correct within following lines of cannon, I'm somewhere in the four hundreds of the fifth book….and I don't know when I'll get it finished. So drop me notes on what I've missed, but be nice about it. So don't breathe fire on me, I think I've done a decent job of keeping cannon up until now**
Chapter Seven: The Woes of the Weasley family dinner
Draco cursed and took another drag of his cigarette, it wasn't like he smoked often, but he figured he needed the ego boost. As if snogging a Weasley was bad enough, he was now enjoying the company of her family and actually dropped down to the level he never thought possible. He would be attending dinner with the whole clan plus Potter. "Great, just fucking great."
A loud crack disturbed his thought train, shaking him out of all presence. "Draco, man, holy shit!" Jackson said putting both hands on the desk and taking a deep breath. His dreads hung in his eyes and in one hand was the wand that looked as if it hadn't been used in a long time. Sitting up, the blonde tapped the addictive member between his fingers on the ashtray before bringing it back up to his lips. "First of all bro, don't smoke not cool."
"I'll do whatever I damn well want man, what's going on?" He asked curiously to his partner. The DJ sucked in another breath before finally sitting down, propping his feet on the desk. Draco looked on at the Puma shoes before connecting eyes with his long time friend. "Is there a reason you've decided to potentially reveal yourself as a wizard?"
Nodding, Jackson pushed his dreads away from his face. "Yea, dude, so I was going upstairs to get Seth's jacket cause he was whining and cold, I go upstairs to the room he's sharing with Tristian. The boy is on the bed, legs crossed in some strange trance like form."
Draco smirked and nearly choked on the cigarette, growling he snuffed it out and watched as the plumes of smoke pleasantly came out of it. Rounding his shoulders as he leaned forward he suddenly looked more humorous than he ever had in his life. "Jackson, I'm sure it was common to all males, after all he doesn't get any from Weasley."
Jackson glared at him obviously not impressed. "Take your head out of your ass for a minute Draco, he was not jacking off, he was in this blue glow, eyes rolled in the back of his head, all humming and whatever. It was a trance I do remember something from school." The American snapped unhappily. Now, he had the attention of the silvery haired man. Sitting up to look at him Draco leaned forward.
"You're not serious are you?" He queried with disbelief still in his voice. Running his fingers through his hair he sighed loudly. Dropping his head back he looked at the ceiling fan which was rotating in slow circles, he now wished he hadn't snuffed his cigarette out. "You mean that in the past three years of working on this project you haven't noticed the tiny fact that Tristian, number one on the list of people we hate just might be a wizard?" He asked his voice dropping low, attempting not to yell.
Standing the DJ looked at him sharply. "Hey now, watch it, I haven't been able to use magic so it makes things more difficult. I'll go run background checks and find out what I can. You send out paper reports to Albus he might have something we need. In the meantime figure out what the hell your going to do about the potentially shitty situation." With another crack he was gone, down to the records and archives of the ministry no doubt.
Leaning back in his original position before Jackson threw him off balance, Draco raised his fingers to his lips, pretending to take a drag from an invisible cigarette. "Great, add that to the list of shit that keeps piling up."
****
Ginny walked arm and arm with Harry through the streets, Aidan on the other side and Ron on his far side. They were all walking in relative silence, save Ginny and Harry who chatted merrily about his upcoming wedding. "I'm leaving it up to her to choose the colors, I don't know how to handle something like that."
"Of course because it was so hard for you to decide what color dress robes you wanted for the seventh year graduation." She teased and laughed as he swatted at her hair. Harry arched an eyebrow and nudged her gently.
Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose he attempted to look unscathed. "Hey I asked for your help, and this is what I get?"
They came upon a townhouse, with a red door and red shutters. "How quaint." Aidan muttered in Ginny's ear. She giggled and allowed him to take her away from Harry, sliding an arm around her waist. Leaning against him she waited as Ron unlocked the door to his house. He was upset to say the least with her for not only missing his wedding but also for seeming to think it was acceptable to offer to do something for Harry's.
"Ron what are you doing home?" Hermione asked opening the door, a woman with blonde hair behind her. Suddenly she looked over his shoulder and flew past him out the door and embraced Ginny tightly. "You're back! Why didn't you owl us to say so? You're in a right spot miss Weasley missing our wedding and Percy's" She said in a mock defensive tone. Laughing she looked over to Aidan and offered a hand.
"Aidan Foster it's a pleasure to meet you." He said and shook hands.
"Hermione Weasley and I'm pleased to meet a friend of Ginny's. Come in come in." They consented and inside they saw Harry standing with the woman who looked sharply at both of them. She shook her blonde sheets from her face and then smiled brightly. On her finger they could see a glittering ring.
Harry finally pushed her forward to the group of people. "Ginny, Aidan, meet Tyranny my fiancé." Tyranny greet them with a smile and then turned back to Harry.
"Love I've got to go, promised the boss I'd drop a report off to him. He's being an impatient prick. I'll see you at dinner tonight." He nodded and kissed her quickly before letting her go. "It was lovely meeting you." The woman added to them and then with a crack disappeared into nothing. Aidan jumped a bit, quite shocked from what he was seeing but eventually cooled it and followed the longtime friends into the kitchen feeling rather out of place.
They all sat down in the living room and that was when Ginny noticed how, pregnant, for lack of better work Hermione looked. "How long will it be Hermione?" She questioned and the woman looked up at her questioning. Then she looked down realizing it was the baby. Blushing and looking at Ron who took her hand she smiled softly.
"About three months, give or take." She said and then felt him squeeze her hand.
"She'll be a great quidditch player." Ron said firmly and caught her laugh, arching an eyebrow as his wife looked in his direction.
"What makes you think it will be a girl?" Hermione asked brushing a strand of her tamed curly hair from her eyes, crossing her ankles.
Laughing and scratching the back of his neck Ron shrugged. However he was turning red, betraying that whole fact. "Because no son of mine would put you through the hell a woman would."
Ginny stood up, crossed the room and gently hit her brother upside the head twice. "Once for your wife, and once for all of woman kind." The occupants of the room dissolved into laughter and watched as the Weasley boy turned flaming red.
Harry and Ginny shared a look before they both chorused "Tomato Boy!" Aidan shook his head and smiled. It was nice to see Ginny with her family and friends from her past. He had heard so much about them that he sometimes felt like he had known them all his life instead of just being a friend of Ginny's. The rest of their visit was spent in conversation before Ginny announced they needed to leave in order to catch enough time to get ready for dinner.
"We'll see you at the house tonight, tell your mum I'm bringing the rum punch." Harry said kissing her temple and shaking hands with Aidan before disapparating with a loud crack. Ron hugged his sister before letting them head out back onto the streets of Diagon Alley. Once there Ginny burst into happy babble.
"Oh my God, Aidan I'm going to be an aunt, this is so exciting she's pregnant! Wow, Harry getting married, you know Bill told me all of this but I never thought it would impact so hard. They're all going to be here tonight, I haven't seen all of my family since I left for the university almost over three years ago I can't believe it!" She twirled in a circle. Aidan almost felt all of his worst fears confirmed, it was only a matter of time before she figured out what he had been thinking all along. Ginny Weasley was going to find herself better suited for the wizarding world and leave himself, and her friends and the band. It was only a matter of time.
He walked next to her in stony silence before they reached the Leaky Cauldron. Once there he went to the burrow first followed quickly by Ginny. It appeared that half of the house was helping with the massive cooking project that Mrs. Weasley was undergoing to feed the incredible amount of people coming over. Tristian walked over to her and grabbed her by the waist. He pressed his lips to hers in an attempt to get a real kiss from her but instead she broke apart from him and smiled. "Got to get showered and dressed for this dinner." She muttered and caught her mother's glance from the corner of her eye. He looked clearly upset. "Later ok?"
However as she walked up the stairs she made a mental note to make sure there would be no 'later' with him that night. Suddenly a head popped in the fireplace. Ginny stopped on the stairs and came back down seeing a girl with long raven colored hair and stunning blue eyes. "Zoë!" She cried.
"I'll be damned if it isn't Ginny Weasley. Hey Mrs. Weasley, mom said you'd called earlier." The beautiful girl noted and smiled as Mrs. Weasley nodded kneeling down in front of her.
"We're having quite the party and we were wondering if you and your parents would fancy coming down to join us? I haven't seen Skylar and Sirius in quite a while." The girl flashed a white smile before nodding.
"Sure, I'm at home today let me run and ask." She murmured and disappeared for a moment. It wasn't two three seconds later before Zoë appeared again. "They'd love to, my mom can bring a few bottles of wine and dad said he'd cook a side dish or something."
Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands together happily. Brushing a stray red strand from her eyes she smiled in agreement. "Wonderful be here by seven, we'll see you then." Zoë smiled at Ginny before disappearing again.
This only caused Ginny's happy state to increase more as she waltzed up the stairs to her room. She hadn't seen Zoë in a long time and they were very close friends ever since Ginny's fourth year and Zoë's sixth. Currently the Black offspring was attending a university studying to be an auror, something highly unusual for the music driven, fashion obsessed girl. Her parents were happily reunited and married, living in marital bliss after Sirius was cleared of all charges and apparently came back from the dead. Ginny didn't remember much about the incident but she did remember Zoë being completely unbearable for months until he showed up somewhere along the middle of her seventh year.
Ginny got in the shower and was careful not to get her hair wet as she washed off and then washed her face. Stepping out she was quick to dry off and put on her underwear before tossing on a pair of running shorts and a tank top. Brushing her hair out she smiled and began to work on her face, leaving it to natural colors along with a light gloss over her lips. She wore a brown skirt that was made of light linen and folded and flowed nicely around her calves along with a white halter from and a pair of tall wedges. For once Ginny had dropped her rock star look to go for something a little more domesticated, as she liked to do.
"Well I certainly approve." A smooth voice remarked behind her as she put her many earrings in. Familiar arms snaked around her waist as silvery blonde hair brushed across her neck, warm lips creating a trail of fire down her shoulder. A hand fell low on her hip while the other rose on her midriff feeling her firm stomach under his hand.
Her heart beat quickened and Ginny turned around to be met by a fire like kiss. If there was one thing she had definitely determined in the past weeks it was that Draco Malfoy was an amazing kiss and she made no hesitation in giving into it, allowing his tongue to explore her mouth. One of her hands delved into his hair while the other hung casually over his shoulder, trying not to shake as one of his hands went expertly up her shirt. "Hello would have done well too." She murmured as they took a breath of air, his hand still probing up the white fabric.
"This is much better." He replied kissing her again and again. She nodded in agreement and left his lips, kissing down his neckline. He wore a blue and white button down with a pair of stonewashed jeans.
"You look good." She murmured and laughed as he picked her up, allowing her legs to wrap around his waist.
Leaning up to kiss the underside of her chin he nodded. "I know." Setting her down she stepped away and picked up her wand smoothing out the wrinkles in her skirt and those in his shirt.
"Cocky aren't we?" She murmured in question as he stepped to her again hands sliding over her stomach, arms looping around her.
Coming dangerously close to her lips he smiled charmingly. "Would you like to find out?"
Giggling she eluded his grasp and finished her earrings before putting on her silver bracelets. He reclined on her bed, joke testing it's softness. "Maybe later. Now come downstairs with me I've got to finish helping out." She murmured. He caught another kiss before the two of them checked the hall before heading downstairs. That was one 'later' she did intend to keep.
****
Within hours a huge group of people gathered around a table, all enjoying each other's company. Ginny looked around the table and mentally listed the entire group: her parents, Aidan, Seth, Tristian, Tracy, Jackson, Draco, Fred, George, Ron, Bill, Percy and Penelope, then there was Charlie and his girlfriend Bryce, Harry, Tyranny, Hermione, Zoë, Sirius, Skylar and then Sirius and Skylar's baby boy James, Finally she included herself. Twenty four in all, and Ginny couldn't be happier. She was greeted with numerous hugs and watched in amusement as Draco remembered the almost unforgettable Zoë Black, who of course was stunning in her favored Express jeans and a Dolce and Gabanna tank made of chiffon.
"That whole family looks good." She muttered to herself taking Skylar and Sirius in. Two of them still looked barely over twenty five when in reality they were both pushing forty. Skylar who managed to maintain a figure even through two kids wore a Chanel skirt and a little Dole and Gabanna sleeveless shirt, a handsome baby boy cradled in her arms with his father's dark hair and eyes but her beautiful skin tone and complexion. Sirius himself had a well deserved cushy lifestyle through his inheritance, Skylar's inheritance and both of their well paying jobs. It was clearly obvious through his comfortable Banana Republic jeans and a black Armani Exchange shirt. His wife's love for designer clothes had certainly rubbed off on him.
"Beautiful family." Draco murmured next to her, Seth nodding agreement. What Ginny did notice with sharp eyes was the way Aidan was easily charming Zoë. He sat with her and Charlie and Bryce having a casual conversation. Fred and George came up and sat with them.
Fred ran his fingers through his long her hair, something that finally distinguished him from his brother. "Well I'll be, Aidan is laying some smooth move on Zoë if she's being that easy going with him. After all those heels she's wearing are dangerous, he's got balls." The group of them laughed, although there was still a tense air between them.
A cool air blew past them as the conversation subject abruptly left the prestigious Black family and went onto the events of the family. Fred and George told her about the store and about all of the recent events. Somewhere along midnight Remus Lupin and Tonks made a showing both looking quite pleased to receive a glass of wine and to talk with their friends, Tonks making haste to talk to Bill and Charlie whom were very good friends. Remus and Harry greeted each other happily. "Twenty six people are here. Isn't that amazing. Such a wide circle of family and friends." Ginny said. She felt all emotion and she had no idea why. "God I've missed so much."
A hand squeezed her shoulder. Looking up she saw Ron who nodded politely in Draco's direction and watched as Fred and George left. "Gin come on a walk with me?" He asked. Nodding she stood up and looked over her shoulder at Seth and Draco, she shrugged and continued walking.
"I've really missed having you around." He muttered. Ginny smiled and ruffled his hair as they walked. It was still quite a reach for her, even if she did have on heels. However Ron looked serious as they walked the familiar path through the yard down to the brook by the house. "I mean you've been gone a while. I'm really glad you're back. But I have a question, don't mean to sound rude but are you snogging Malfoy? I mean Draco?"
Groaning she threw her hands up in the air. "Does everyone but my actual boyfriend know this?" She asked him suddenly as they sat down on the bridge that ran over the small brook. Looking at it she smiled fondly. When they were kids she and Ron used to play down here with Fred and George. All sorts of games, they spent long summer days splashing in the water and when it froze over in the winter they went skating. Then everything changed as they grew up, Fred and George went to school, followed by Ron two years later.
Ron laughed bringing her back to reality. "I'm pretty sure, yes. It's obvious the way you look at each other. That's a dangerous move Ginny, not that loving him is bad, I'm sure he's a decent being, I don't necessarily trust it but I imagine you wouldn't do it if you thought it would be bad, but this cheating thing. From talking to Tristian I could see a temper. Don't play with fire." Her brandy colored eyes widened. Since when had her brother, the often thoughtless, reckless Ron become so wise and well, for lack of better wizard phrasing, Yoda like?
However her thoughts didn't go very far because a burst of bright green light zoomed over the top of their heads. Ducking brother and sister whipped their wands out looking around for the culprit. Three hooded figures leapt out and grabbed Ginny. Screaming she lashed out as Ron shot a hex at one, knocking it out. Suddenly there was a bark as a large black dog came up and bounded on one and Harry took the other out with his wand. Ron caught Ginny before she fell into the brook and Arthur and Remus bound two of them but wasn't able to get to the third. He and the large dog were fighting each other until he shot a curse at it, the dog moved quick to avoid it and then the man disapparated.
"My God." Mrs. Weasley said running up with the rest of the women.
"Where's Tristian?" Ginny asked, confused as to why he hadn't strode forward to pick her up and carry her away like he usually did.
Aidan pushed his shaggy hair from his face and shrugged next to Zoë who held his hand tightly. "Got a call on his cell right after you two walked off and said he had to leave so Mrs. Weasley gave him a portkey for the London station."
Discretely Draco and Jackson shared looks. Could they have been right? Draco didn't know but he stood quietly next to Ginny, supporting her. "My ankle hurts." She muttered. "I think it got twisted when they grabbed me.
"Are you alright? You aren't hurt are you?" He asked, but she wasn't listening. Her eyes were on Sirius who had just transformed back to human and Skylar who allowed Remus to take baby James. The woman ran to her husband and threw her arms around his neck, allowing him to lift her up and let her see if he was okay. He kissed her softly, before setting her down and taking James back from Remus. Sky's well manicured fingers pushed away his long hair and brought him down to kiss her again.
"God I hope I'm in love like that when I'm their age." She muttered to Draco and then caught his look. His hand had gone from being on her shoulder to sliding across her back. Thankfully it was dark and nobody saw, they were all too engrossed in the excitement of the matter. Her father had called the ministry, and had sent for the aurors to come and get the two death eaters.
He leaned down and then caught Aidan's eye who merely nodded. "Aidan will cover us, no one will know." Quietly she nodded and then saw her mother catch her attention.
"I think my ankle turned the wrong way when they grabbed me, Draco's just going to help me set it straight and put some ice on it." Draco nodded and carefully supported her as they walked up to the house. Once inside they made it up the stairs and into her room. Once there they locked the door with a charm on it and closed off any place someone might peep. Clothes dropped left and right.
His kisses were fire on her skin as they fell back on her bed. After a month of sneaking around they were finally getting down to serious business. His shirt slid off his body and his hands reached around messing with the strapless bra. "Damn thing." He cursed.
Laughing she sat up and removed it for him, followed soon by the rest of their clothes, drawing a sheet up over them. "You sure you want to do a Weasley?"
Kissing her gently he genuinely smiled. "Don't say it like that Gin, I want to do you, not your family." Giggling she nodded and brought his lips back to hers, in a fire like kiss that took them by storm.
"Then by all means proceed." He chuckled and certainly took her words to heart.
****
The next morning Ginny woke to a warm body behind her and a strong arm draped over her. Bringing a hand to her mouth gasped. A kiss was placed on her neck. "I must admit that was absolutely wonderful." Draco murmured.
"No argument but maybe you should sneak over to your room. It's still early, nobody will catch you." Nodding in agreement, Draco consented but not before kissing her thoroughly first. Quietly he dressed and left her to go back to sleep, a small smile playing on her pink lips.
Quickly he fled down the hall and into his room that he shared with Aidan. The man slept soundly and Draco stripped to his boxers and hopped into bed. However he could not go to sleep because one thing went through his head. He had sex with the person he was supposed to be protecting. He was told to befriend her yes, play nice yes, be kind yes, but fuck her! That was definitely no in the agenda. Yet, a smile crept on his face as he thought about it, she really was good in bed he would admit.
Finally he managed to get a few more hours of sleep before Aidan woke him up. "Have fun last night?" He teased. Yawning, he stretched out and grinned sleepily.
"Indeed I did, but its time for a shower before going into town to take care of some business." Aidan made no argument and let the silvery haired man go. Draco passed Ginny in the empty hall on his way to the shower and smiled as she let out a noise when he slapped her ass. Things were definitely going his way.
****
"No school records, no ID record, no registry, no nothing. Man Tristian Bark does not exist in any of the archives." Jackson said cursing violently. Draco groaned and put his feet back on his desk. There had to be an explanation, it couldn't just drop off like that. If what the man before him had said yesterday was true then something was going on.
Both men sighed and simultaneously took a drag from their cigarettes. The puzzle was only getting messier. "It doesn't fit." The blonde finally said. "The disappearance and the trance fit. But the phone call, wizards don't use cell phones." He muttered and flipped a quill between his fingers.
Jackson merely nodded and twirled a dread in his fingers, looking gloomy. He released a plume of smoke from his lips and watched the ceiling fan rotate. "Unless, there are two of them that have been living like muggles."
"It's too early for any of the owls I sent out. I've got them on the way to Karkaroff up in the Russia area and one to Snape who's currently doing order work in France, one to Albus at the school and then I've also got one enroute to the guards of Azkaban to question the handful of sane prisoners they've got." Draco explained. He sat up and shook his hair from his eyes. "If there are two of them like him working on this it'd have to be someone close to Ginny."
He shot Jackson a look. The members of the bad didn't seem likely at all. It was possible but not plausible. They'd be ass pricks like Tristian. "No, none of the band. It's got to be part of the staff."
Then they shared the look. It was like a flash of brilliant light coming over both of them. "Lana." They both whispered at the same time. Draco also knew what this meant. He'd have to take the bait she'd set up to get the true information.
Just then the door opened. A young intern peered in and surveyed the scene of two young men looking egotistically brilliant, both with cigarettes. "Men." She muttered to herself, rolling her eyes. "Minister sent for the two of you, on the double."
Nodding they snuffed the addictive members out and made haste to leave. Draco locked his office behind him and the two of them followed the intern's short skirt down the hall. It was a well lit hall as they went to the lifts, taking them down to the main level where the Minister's office was. However much to their surprise they were not taken to the Minister's office, rather to a large room that held several different looking machines and two bodies on two steel tables.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Ducane." The minister said looking up from where he was examining the two bodies. They were still alive it appeared because they maintained their color but it was still a strange thing. "Come to the hall for a moment."
They did as asked and stood in the hall, leaning on the walls as the minister addressed them. "I understand your looking for leads and doing profile searches. Unfortunately I doubt this is not going to help your case one bit but it is vital that you know who these people are. Needless to say we are all quite shocked to see who they are." The minister murmured and sighed.
Draco arched an eyebrow and sighed. "Well I guess we should take a look."
They walked back in and up to the tables. Cold air wrapped around all of them. Yet it was nothing compared to the chill they got when they saw who was lying there, out cold. "Damn man." Jackson said and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well," Draco said with a pause. "Shit." Everything they had was just very much so complicated.
~ HAH! I win, cliffhanger, not as bad as some but it adds juice to the plot that I'm sort of writing as I go. Actually the chapter sort of wrote itself. The mention of Sirius sort of is nonchalant. I know he dies in the fifth book which is really most likely why I haven't finished it. But when I started this story a few years ago he was still alive….and he remains so although there will be some explanation as to you know, why he's not dead. His daughter Zoë is a character of mine from a Sirius/OC….half school half post escape fic I'm working on and I absolutely adore her, I wish I could have her clothes. Anyway, not the usual humor because I had a lot to cram into this chapter….hope the Ginny/Draco hook up wasn't too bad, its hasty I know but I had to get it out of the way because with the plot I don't really have another good time slot to fit it in. I'll have a better one later….next chapter, which will be out soon I SO promise will include a return to the city, some home love, jealousy, and a lot more revealed! So you've read it, the plot filler that I believe it is, now tell me what you think! Much love Brose~
Anyway enough excuse making, I had to rediscover the plot and I think it's taken a few twists and turns as well. Most of you I'm sure are beginning to get it all straightened out and this chapter will include some more of that famous drama, drama, drama between some characters. So read it, enjoy it, leave me reviews cause I swear I won't update unless I see some just because I'm too time consumed to write it unless people want to read it. Besides if you do I'll give you a cookie.
Disclaimer: (no matter how long its been I still hate these) I do not own anything affiliated with Harry Potter or anything else you recognize and know I don't own. I down own Seth, Aidan, Tristian, Jackson, Tracy and anything you don't recognize =)
**BIG NOTE! I know this most likely isn't correct within following lines of cannon, I'm somewhere in the four hundreds of the fifth book….and I don't know when I'll get it finished. So drop me notes on what I've missed, but be nice about it. So don't breathe fire on me, I think I've done a decent job of keeping cannon up until now**
Chapter Seven: The Woes of the Weasley family dinner
Draco cursed and took another drag of his cigarette, it wasn't like he smoked often, but he figured he needed the ego boost. As if snogging a Weasley was bad enough, he was now enjoying the company of her family and actually dropped down to the level he never thought possible. He would be attending dinner with the whole clan plus Potter. "Great, just fucking great."
A loud crack disturbed his thought train, shaking him out of all presence. "Draco, man, holy shit!" Jackson said putting both hands on the desk and taking a deep breath. His dreads hung in his eyes and in one hand was the wand that looked as if it hadn't been used in a long time. Sitting up, the blonde tapped the addictive member between his fingers on the ashtray before bringing it back up to his lips. "First of all bro, don't smoke not cool."
"I'll do whatever I damn well want man, what's going on?" He asked curiously to his partner. The DJ sucked in another breath before finally sitting down, propping his feet on the desk. Draco looked on at the Puma shoes before connecting eyes with his long time friend. "Is there a reason you've decided to potentially reveal yourself as a wizard?"
Nodding, Jackson pushed his dreads away from his face. "Yea, dude, so I was going upstairs to get Seth's jacket cause he was whining and cold, I go upstairs to the room he's sharing with Tristian. The boy is on the bed, legs crossed in some strange trance like form."
Draco smirked and nearly choked on the cigarette, growling he snuffed it out and watched as the plumes of smoke pleasantly came out of it. Rounding his shoulders as he leaned forward he suddenly looked more humorous than he ever had in his life. "Jackson, I'm sure it was common to all males, after all he doesn't get any from Weasley."
Jackson glared at him obviously not impressed. "Take your head out of your ass for a minute Draco, he was not jacking off, he was in this blue glow, eyes rolled in the back of his head, all humming and whatever. It was a trance I do remember something from school." The American snapped unhappily. Now, he had the attention of the silvery haired man. Sitting up to look at him Draco leaned forward.
"You're not serious are you?" He queried with disbelief still in his voice. Running his fingers through his hair he sighed loudly. Dropping his head back he looked at the ceiling fan which was rotating in slow circles, he now wished he hadn't snuffed his cigarette out. "You mean that in the past three years of working on this project you haven't noticed the tiny fact that Tristian, number one on the list of people we hate just might be a wizard?" He asked his voice dropping low, attempting not to yell.
Standing the DJ looked at him sharply. "Hey now, watch it, I haven't been able to use magic so it makes things more difficult. I'll go run background checks and find out what I can. You send out paper reports to Albus he might have something we need. In the meantime figure out what the hell your going to do about the potentially shitty situation." With another crack he was gone, down to the records and archives of the ministry no doubt.
Leaning back in his original position before Jackson threw him off balance, Draco raised his fingers to his lips, pretending to take a drag from an invisible cigarette. "Great, add that to the list of shit that keeps piling up."
****
Ginny walked arm and arm with Harry through the streets, Aidan on the other side and Ron on his far side. They were all walking in relative silence, save Ginny and Harry who chatted merrily about his upcoming wedding. "I'm leaving it up to her to choose the colors, I don't know how to handle something like that."
"Of course because it was so hard for you to decide what color dress robes you wanted for the seventh year graduation." She teased and laughed as he swatted at her hair. Harry arched an eyebrow and nudged her gently.
Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose he attempted to look unscathed. "Hey I asked for your help, and this is what I get?"
They came upon a townhouse, with a red door and red shutters. "How quaint." Aidan muttered in Ginny's ear. She giggled and allowed him to take her away from Harry, sliding an arm around her waist. Leaning against him she waited as Ron unlocked the door to his house. He was upset to say the least with her for not only missing his wedding but also for seeming to think it was acceptable to offer to do something for Harry's.
"Ron what are you doing home?" Hermione asked opening the door, a woman with blonde hair behind her. Suddenly she looked over his shoulder and flew past him out the door and embraced Ginny tightly. "You're back! Why didn't you owl us to say so? You're in a right spot miss Weasley missing our wedding and Percy's" She said in a mock defensive tone. Laughing she looked over to Aidan and offered a hand.
"Aidan Foster it's a pleasure to meet you." He said and shook hands.
"Hermione Weasley and I'm pleased to meet a friend of Ginny's. Come in come in." They consented and inside they saw Harry standing with the woman who looked sharply at both of them. She shook her blonde sheets from her face and then smiled brightly. On her finger they could see a glittering ring.
Harry finally pushed her forward to the group of people. "Ginny, Aidan, meet Tyranny my fiancé." Tyranny greet them with a smile and then turned back to Harry.
"Love I've got to go, promised the boss I'd drop a report off to him. He's being an impatient prick. I'll see you at dinner tonight." He nodded and kissed her quickly before letting her go. "It was lovely meeting you." The woman added to them and then with a crack disappeared into nothing. Aidan jumped a bit, quite shocked from what he was seeing but eventually cooled it and followed the longtime friends into the kitchen feeling rather out of place.
They all sat down in the living room and that was when Ginny noticed how, pregnant, for lack of better work Hermione looked. "How long will it be Hermione?" She questioned and the woman looked up at her questioning. Then she looked down realizing it was the baby. Blushing and looking at Ron who took her hand she smiled softly.
"About three months, give or take." She said and then felt him squeeze her hand.
"She'll be a great quidditch player." Ron said firmly and caught her laugh, arching an eyebrow as his wife looked in his direction.
"What makes you think it will be a girl?" Hermione asked brushing a strand of her tamed curly hair from her eyes, crossing her ankles.
Laughing and scratching the back of his neck Ron shrugged. However he was turning red, betraying that whole fact. "Because no son of mine would put you through the hell a woman would."
Ginny stood up, crossed the room and gently hit her brother upside the head twice. "Once for your wife, and once for all of woman kind." The occupants of the room dissolved into laughter and watched as the Weasley boy turned flaming red.
Harry and Ginny shared a look before they both chorused "Tomato Boy!" Aidan shook his head and smiled. It was nice to see Ginny with her family and friends from her past. He had heard so much about them that he sometimes felt like he had known them all his life instead of just being a friend of Ginny's. The rest of their visit was spent in conversation before Ginny announced they needed to leave in order to catch enough time to get ready for dinner.
"We'll see you at the house tonight, tell your mum I'm bringing the rum punch." Harry said kissing her temple and shaking hands with Aidan before disapparating with a loud crack. Ron hugged his sister before letting them head out back onto the streets of Diagon Alley. Once there Ginny burst into happy babble.
"Oh my God, Aidan I'm going to be an aunt, this is so exciting she's pregnant! Wow, Harry getting married, you know Bill told me all of this but I never thought it would impact so hard. They're all going to be here tonight, I haven't seen all of my family since I left for the university almost over three years ago I can't believe it!" She twirled in a circle. Aidan almost felt all of his worst fears confirmed, it was only a matter of time before she figured out what he had been thinking all along. Ginny Weasley was going to find herself better suited for the wizarding world and leave himself, and her friends and the band. It was only a matter of time.
He walked next to her in stony silence before they reached the Leaky Cauldron. Once there he went to the burrow first followed quickly by Ginny. It appeared that half of the house was helping with the massive cooking project that Mrs. Weasley was undergoing to feed the incredible amount of people coming over. Tristian walked over to her and grabbed her by the waist. He pressed his lips to hers in an attempt to get a real kiss from her but instead she broke apart from him and smiled. "Got to get showered and dressed for this dinner." She muttered and caught her mother's glance from the corner of her eye. He looked clearly upset. "Later ok?"
However as she walked up the stairs she made a mental note to make sure there would be no 'later' with him that night. Suddenly a head popped in the fireplace. Ginny stopped on the stairs and came back down seeing a girl with long raven colored hair and stunning blue eyes. "Zoë!" She cried.
"I'll be damned if it isn't Ginny Weasley. Hey Mrs. Weasley, mom said you'd called earlier." The beautiful girl noted and smiled as Mrs. Weasley nodded kneeling down in front of her.
"We're having quite the party and we were wondering if you and your parents would fancy coming down to join us? I haven't seen Skylar and Sirius in quite a while." The girl flashed a white smile before nodding.
"Sure, I'm at home today let me run and ask." She murmured and disappeared for a moment. It wasn't two three seconds later before Zoë appeared again. "They'd love to, my mom can bring a few bottles of wine and dad said he'd cook a side dish or something."
Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands together happily. Brushing a stray red strand from her eyes she smiled in agreement. "Wonderful be here by seven, we'll see you then." Zoë smiled at Ginny before disappearing again.
This only caused Ginny's happy state to increase more as she waltzed up the stairs to her room. She hadn't seen Zoë in a long time and they were very close friends ever since Ginny's fourth year and Zoë's sixth. Currently the Black offspring was attending a university studying to be an auror, something highly unusual for the music driven, fashion obsessed girl. Her parents were happily reunited and married, living in marital bliss after Sirius was cleared of all charges and apparently came back from the dead. Ginny didn't remember much about the incident but she did remember Zoë being completely unbearable for months until he showed up somewhere along the middle of her seventh year.
Ginny got in the shower and was careful not to get her hair wet as she washed off and then washed her face. Stepping out she was quick to dry off and put on her underwear before tossing on a pair of running shorts and a tank top. Brushing her hair out she smiled and began to work on her face, leaving it to natural colors along with a light gloss over her lips. She wore a brown skirt that was made of light linen and folded and flowed nicely around her calves along with a white halter from and a pair of tall wedges. For once Ginny had dropped her rock star look to go for something a little more domesticated, as she liked to do.
"Well I certainly approve." A smooth voice remarked behind her as she put her many earrings in. Familiar arms snaked around her waist as silvery blonde hair brushed across her neck, warm lips creating a trail of fire down her shoulder. A hand fell low on her hip while the other rose on her midriff feeling her firm stomach under his hand.
Her heart beat quickened and Ginny turned around to be met by a fire like kiss. If there was one thing she had definitely determined in the past weeks it was that Draco Malfoy was an amazing kiss and she made no hesitation in giving into it, allowing his tongue to explore her mouth. One of her hands delved into his hair while the other hung casually over his shoulder, trying not to shake as one of his hands went expertly up her shirt. "Hello would have done well too." She murmured as they took a breath of air, his hand still probing up the white fabric.
"This is much better." He replied kissing her again and again. She nodded in agreement and left his lips, kissing down his neckline. He wore a blue and white button down with a pair of stonewashed jeans.
"You look good." She murmured and laughed as he picked her up, allowing her legs to wrap around his waist.
Leaning up to kiss the underside of her chin he nodded. "I know." Setting her down she stepped away and picked up her wand smoothing out the wrinkles in her skirt and those in his shirt.
"Cocky aren't we?" She murmured in question as he stepped to her again hands sliding over her stomach, arms looping around her.
Coming dangerously close to her lips he smiled charmingly. "Would you like to find out?"
Giggling she eluded his grasp and finished her earrings before putting on her silver bracelets. He reclined on her bed, joke testing it's softness. "Maybe later. Now come downstairs with me I've got to finish helping out." She murmured. He caught another kiss before the two of them checked the hall before heading downstairs. That was one 'later' she did intend to keep.
****
Within hours a huge group of people gathered around a table, all enjoying each other's company. Ginny looked around the table and mentally listed the entire group: her parents, Aidan, Seth, Tristian, Tracy, Jackson, Draco, Fred, George, Ron, Bill, Percy and Penelope, then there was Charlie and his girlfriend Bryce, Harry, Tyranny, Hermione, Zoë, Sirius, Skylar and then Sirius and Skylar's baby boy James, Finally she included herself. Twenty four in all, and Ginny couldn't be happier. She was greeted with numerous hugs and watched in amusement as Draco remembered the almost unforgettable Zoë Black, who of course was stunning in her favored Express jeans and a Dolce and Gabanna tank made of chiffon.
"That whole family looks good." She muttered to herself taking Skylar and Sirius in. Two of them still looked barely over twenty five when in reality they were both pushing forty. Skylar who managed to maintain a figure even through two kids wore a Chanel skirt and a little Dole and Gabanna sleeveless shirt, a handsome baby boy cradled in her arms with his father's dark hair and eyes but her beautiful skin tone and complexion. Sirius himself had a well deserved cushy lifestyle through his inheritance, Skylar's inheritance and both of their well paying jobs. It was clearly obvious through his comfortable Banana Republic jeans and a black Armani Exchange shirt. His wife's love for designer clothes had certainly rubbed off on him.
"Beautiful family." Draco murmured next to her, Seth nodding agreement. What Ginny did notice with sharp eyes was the way Aidan was easily charming Zoë. He sat with her and Charlie and Bryce having a casual conversation. Fred and George came up and sat with them.
Fred ran his fingers through his long her hair, something that finally distinguished him from his brother. "Well I'll be, Aidan is laying some smooth move on Zoë if she's being that easy going with him. After all those heels she's wearing are dangerous, he's got balls." The group of them laughed, although there was still a tense air between them.
A cool air blew past them as the conversation subject abruptly left the prestigious Black family and went onto the events of the family. Fred and George told her about the store and about all of the recent events. Somewhere along midnight Remus Lupin and Tonks made a showing both looking quite pleased to receive a glass of wine and to talk with their friends, Tonks making haste to talk to Bill and Charlie whom were very good friends. Remus and Harry greeted each other happily. "Twenty six people are here. Isn't that amazing. Such a wide circle of family and friends." Ginny said. She felt all emotion and she had no idea why. "God I've missed so much."
A hand squeezed her shoulder. Looking up she saw Ron who nodded politely in Draco's direction and watched as Fred and George left. "Gin come on a walk with me?" He asked. Nodding she stood up and looked over her shoulder at Seth and Draco, she shrugged and continued walking.
"I've really missed having you around." He muttered. Ginny smiled and ruffled his hair as they walked. It was still quite a reach for her, even if she did have on heels. However Ron looked serious as they walked the familiar path through the yard down to the brook by the house. "I mean you've been gone a while. I'm really glad you're back. But I have a question, don't mean to sound rude but are you snogging Malfoy? I mean Draco?"
Groaning she threw her hands up in the air. "Does everyone but my actual boyfriend know this?" She asked him suddenly as they sat down on the bridge that ran over the small brook. Looking at it she smiled fondly. When they were kids she and Ron used to play down here with Fred and George. All sorts of games, they spent long summer days splashing in the water and when it froze over in the winter they went skating. Then everything changed as they grew up, Fred and George went to school, followed by Ron two years later.
Ron laughed bringing her back to reality. "I'm pretty sure, yes. It's obvious the way you look at each other. That's a dangerous move Ginny, not that loving him is bad, I'm sure he's a decent being, I don't necessarily trust it but I imagine you wouldn't do it if you thought it would be bad, but this cheating thing. From talking to Tristian I could see a temper. Don't play with fire." Her brandy colored eyes widened. Since when had her brother, the often thoughtless, reckless Ron become so wise and well, for lack of better wizard phrasing, Yoda like?
However her thoughts didn't go very far because a burst of bright green light zoomed over the top of their heads. Ducking brother and sister whipped their wands out looking around for the culprit. Three hooded figures leapt out and grabbed Ginny. Screaming she lashed out as Ron shot a hex at one, knocking it out. Suddenly there was a bark as a large black dog came up and bounded on one and Harry took the other out with his wand. Ron caught Ginny before she fell into the brook and Arthur and Remus bound two of them but wasn't able to get to the third. He and the large dog were fighting each other until he shot a curse at it, the dog moved quick to avoid it and then the man disapparated.
"My God." Mrs. Weasley said running up with the rest of the women.
"Where's Tristian?" Ginny asked, confused as to why he hadn't strode forward to pick her up and carry her away like he usually did.
Aidan pushed his shaggy hair from his face and shrugged next to Zoë who held his hand tightly. "Got a call on his cell right after you two walked off and said he had to leave so Mrs. Weasley gave him a portkey for the London station."
Discretely Draco and Jackson shared looks. Could they have been right? Draco didn't know but he stood quietly next to Ginny, supporting her. "My ankle hurts." She muttered. "I think it got twisted when they grabbed me.
"Are you alright? You aren't hurt are you?" He asked, but she wasn't listening. Her eyes were on Sirius who had just transformed back to human and Skylar who allowed Remus to take baby James. The woman ran to her husband and threw her arms around his neck, allowing him to lift her up and let her see if he was okay. He kissed her softly, before setting her down and taking James back from Remus. Sky's well manicured fingers pushed away his long hair and brought him down to kiss her again.
"God I hope I'm in love like that when I'm their age." She muttered to Draco and then caught his look. His hand had gone from being on her shoulder to sliding across her back. Thankfully it was dark and nobody saw, they were all too engrossed in the excitement of the matter. Her father had called the ministry, and had sent for the aurors to come and get the two death eaters.
He leaned down and then caught Aidan's eye who merely nodded. "Aidan will cover us, no one will know." Quietly she nodded and then saw her mother catch her attention.
"I think my ankle turned the wrong way when they grabbed me, Draco's just going to help me set it straight and put some ice on it." Draco nodded and carefully supported her as they walked up to the house. Once inside they made it up the stairs and into her room. Once there they locked the door with a charm on it and closed off any place someone might peep. Clothes dropped left and right.
His kisses were fire on her skin as they fell back on her bed. After a month of sneaking around they were finally getting down to serious business. His shirt slid off his body and his hands reached around messing with the strapless bra. "Damn thing." He cursed.
Laughing she sat up and removed it for him, followed soon by the rest of their clothes, drawing a sheet up over them. "You sure you want to do a Weasley?"
Kissing her gently he genuinely smiled. "Don't say it like that Gin, I want to do you, not your family." Giggling she nodded and brought his lips back to hers, in a fire like kiss that took them by storm.
"Then by all means proceed." He chuckled and certainly took her words to heart.
****
The next morning Ginny woke to a warm body behind her and a strong arm draped over her. Bringing a hand to her mouth gasped. A kiss was placed on her neck. "I must admit that was absolutely wonderful." Draco murmured.
"No argument but maybe you should sneak over to your room. It's still early, nobody will catch you." Nodding in agreement, Draco consented but not before kissing her thoroughly first. Quietly he dressed and left her to go back to sleep, a small smile playing on her pink lips.
Quickly he fled down the hall and into his room that he shared with Aidan. The man slept soundly and Draco stripped to his boxers and hopped into bed. However he could not go to sleep because one thing went through his head. He had sex with the person he was supposed to be protecting. He was told to befriend her yes, play nice yes, be kind yes, but fuck her! That was definitely no in the agenda. Yet, a smile crept on his face as he thought about it, she really was good in bed he would admit.
Finally he managed to get a few more hours of sleep before Aidan woke him up. "Have fun last night?" He teased. Yawning, he stretched out and grinned sleepily.
"Indeed I did, but its time for a shower before going into town to take care of some business." Aidan made no argument and let the silvery haired man go. Draco passed Ginny in the empty hall on his way to the shower and smiled as she let out a noise when he slapped her ass. Things were definitely going his way.
****
"No school records, no ID record, no registry, no nothing. Man Tristian Bark does not exist in any of the archives." Jackson said cursing violently. Draco groaned and put his feet back on his desk. There had to be an explanation, it couldn't just drop off like that. If what the man before him had said yesterday was true then something was going on.
Both men sighed and simultaneously took a drag from their cigarettes. The puzzle was only getting messier. "It doesn't fit." The blonde finally said. "The disappearance and the trance fit. But the phone call, wizards don't use cell phones." He muttered and flipped a quill between his fingers.
Jackson merely nodded and twirled a dread in his fingers, looking gloomy. He released a plume of smoke from his lips and watched the ceiling fan rotate. "Unless, there are two of them that have been living like muggles."
"It's too early for any of the owls I sent out. I've got them on the way to Karkaroff up in the Russia area and one to Snape who's currently doing order work in France, one to Albus at the school and then I've also got one enroute to the guards of Azkaban to question the handful of sane prisoners they've got." Draco explained. He sat up and shook his hair from his eyes. "If there are two of them like him working on this it'd have to be someone close to Ginny."
He shot Jackson a look. The members of the bad didn't seem likely at all. It was possible but not plausible. They'd be ass pricks like Tristian. "No, none of the band. It's got to be part of the staff."
Then they shared the look. It was like a flash of brilliant light coming over both of them. "Lana." They both whispered at the same time. Draco also knew what this meant. He'd have to take the bait she'd set up to get the true information.
Just then the door opened. A young intern peered in and surveyed the scene of two young men looking egotistically brilliant, both with cigarettes. "Men." She muttered to herself, rolling her eyes. "Minister sent for the two of you, on the double."
Nodding they snuffed the addictive members out and made haste to leave. Draco locked his office behind him and the two of them followed the intern's short skirt down the hall. It was a well lit hall as they went to the lifts, taking them down to the main level where the Minister's office was. However much to their surprise they were not taken to the Minister's office, rather to a large room that held several different looking machines and two bodies on two steel tables.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Ducane." The minister said looking up from where he was examining the two bodies. They were still alive it appeared because they maintained their color but it was still a strange thing. "Come to the hall for a moment."
They did as asked and stood in the hall, leaning on the walls as the minister addressed them. "I understand your looking for leads and doing profile searches. Unfortunately I doubt this is not going to help your case one bit but it is vital that you know who these people are. Needless to say we are all quite shocked to see who they are." The minister murmured and sighed.
Draco arched an eyebrow and sighed. "Well I guess we should take a look."
They walked back in and up to the tables. Cold air wrapped around all of them. Yet it was nothing compared to the chill they got when they saw who was lying there, out cold. "Damn man." Jackson said and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well," Draco said with a pause. "Shit." Everything they had was just very much so complicated.
~ HAH! I win, cliffhanger, not as bad as some but it adds juice to the plot that I'm sort of writing as I go. Actually the chapter sort of wrote itself. The mention of Sirius sort of is nonchalant. I know he dies in the fifth book which is really most likely why I haven't finished it. But when I started this story a few years ago he was still alive….and he remains so although there will be some explanation as to you know, why he's not dead. His daughter Zoë is a character of mine from a Sirius/OC….half school half post escape fic I'm working on and I absolutely adore her, I wish I could have her clothes. Anyway, not the usual humor because I had a lot to cram into this chapter….hope the Ginny/Draco hook up wasn't too bad, its hasty I know but I had to get it out of the way because with the plot I don't really have another good time slot to fit it in. I'll have a better one later….next chapter, which will be out soon I SO promise will include a return to the city, some home love, jealousy, and a lot more revealed! So you've read it, the plot filler that I believe it is, now tell me what you think! Much love Brose~