Author's Note: I recently realized the numerous inconsistencies in my story in relation to the real Harry Potter series, the most obvious being Draco's character and I apologize profusely. I'm afraid I'm a very lazy person so I haven't exactly taken the time to go over and make sure my entire story makes sense down to the miniscule details. Some details, I've corrected, and others I can't without rewriting chunks of my story (which takes more effort than I'd like ~_~). As for Draco's character…*winces* I'm working on it, I'm trying to get him to fall in love with Ginny (to satisfy all your hungry appetites ^_^) rather than have him stay a mean, biting Death Eater. So patience!!!… and don't forget to review. J Meanwhile, if you guys liked the last chapter (and hopefully share the same sense of humor as me) I think you'll like this chapter as well. ^_^
And once again, I have to thank all of my reviewers for your compliments, suggestions, and critics. I think you'll see that I used some of your suggestions in this chapter.
† Marigold
- Chapter 6: Matilda Verint and Madame Malkin
Ginny couldn't concentrate on the book she was reading. Although Draco sat a good three feet away from her, he was still distracting. From beneath her thick lashes, Ginny observed him discreetly. He looks different she thought, from when he first came here from Azkaban. Not only does he look and smell cleaner, Ginny couldn't help but grin at the memory, But he looks…almost gentler. He's changed, he's more human now, and he has morals. No one would ever guess that he was once a hard-hearted Death Eater who lived to kill.
And it was true, after living every day with Ginny, the hard look in Draco's eyes had softened, as did the harsh lines, and frowns in his brows. He looked almost angelic the way his blond hair was combed back except for one strand of hair that constantly hung in his eyes.
He's really good-looking, decided Ginny, and if he wasn't cooped up in this house with me, I'd bet girls would be falling all over his feet to get his attention. Phoenixes, I wouldn't mind being one of those girls. Immediately Ginny blushed at the thought. Stop it, Ginny! She ordered herself, horrified by what was going through her mind. He is not cute, not even close, and you hate every second you have to spend with him.
Pushing aside all thoughts of Draco, Ginny forced herself to focus on what she was reading. Scanning through the paragraphs, the corner of her eye caught a sentence:
Aspertus Spirnis, a contacting spell that locates the replicated spirits of dead wizards and muggles alike. Along with the Aspertus Spirnis curse is the Spirival Potion that the replicated spirit needs to drink in order to materialize from the Spiritual World to the Wizarding World. It is because of the Spirival Potion that this spell is so unpopular. Some of the potion's many ingredients include a pint of fresh unicorn blood, Phoenix ash gathered after the phoenix goes up in flames, dragon's heart, etc.
"Oh!" Ginny breathed, her eyes wide with excitement. "Draco, I've got it! The tracing spell! It's in here!"
Draco looked up skeptically, "Really? One of those books actually have useful information?" He got up to look at the book Ginny held before her. Ginny could feel herself get jittery. Stop it she told herself sternly. You don't like him, he's not this gorgeous, amazingly hot guy you want to jump all over and you definitely are not thinking of brushing that one adorable strand of hair out of his eyes. Draco tried to take the book out of Ginny's hands, but she was gripping it too tightly in her mental battle not to think about Draco. "Umm," Draco tugged at the book a little harder. "May I?" he looked pointedly at the book.
Ginny blushed and instantly released the book, pressing cool hands against her own flaming cheeks.
"So this is why," Draco murmured, a satisfied look on his face, as he flipped through the book.
"Why what?" Ginny asked.
"Why none of the other books we read, like Agatha Sherwold, explained what the tracing spell was or mentioned anything about the potion. It's because of the unicorn blood, one 'pint of fresh unicorn blood.' Authors like Sherwold probably excluded the instructions for the spell and potion to protect unicorns."
Ginny frowned. "And no sane wizard would ever kill a unicorn unless they had absolutely nothing to lose. I'll forward this information to Hermione, but I don't see how this tracing spell is any good if the Ministry will never use it. I think we should research a little further to see if there's some other way to trace someone who has used Killing Curse."
Draco stifled a groan. "We've been researching for the past three weeks," he protested.
Ginny nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. And the Halloween Dance is just next week. I need to get some dress robes." She glanced at Draco's own muggle clothing. " And I think you do too. Why don't we go to Diagon Alley today?"
Draco smirked. "You're looking at me like my opinion matters."
"It doesn't," Ginny replied. "But I'm interested to what you think."
Draco shrugged. "I think I'm going to take the first opportunity I have and escape."
"Surely you didn't think I was going to first take some precautions to prevent such a case," Ginny laughed. "Accio!" she cried, waving her wand. A second later, a pair of handcuffs came flying to her hand. Draco stared at the handcuffs in disbelief.
"Well, doubtless we'll look very conspicuous walking down Diagon Alley in that," Draco sneered.
Ginny didn't respond except to chain one end of the handcuffs to her hand and the other end to Draco. Draco looked at Ginny in horror. "You can't be serious," he spluttered.
Ginny smiled sweetly, tapped the cuffs with her wand, and they disappeared. Draco stared in shock. The handcuffs not only were invisible, but he couldn't feel them either. "What happened?" Draco demanded. "Are they gone?" He shook his hand experimentally, and felt nothing. The cold metal that had clasped his writs previously was gone.
Ginny laughed. "Oh you can't see or feel it now," she chuckled. "but if you try to walk more than five feet away from me…" Ginny smiled maliciously, letting the threat hang.
Draco raise an eyebrow doubtfully and immediately tried walking away from Ginny. He got no more than five feet away when sharp, white-hot pain lanced through his wrist and spread up his harm. Draco yelped and stumbled back into the five foot radius the handcuff permitted. The pain immediately stopped and left Draco gasping with relief.
"The pain increases the further you walk away," Ginny added, "and spreads until your entire body hurts." She helped Draco up, who still looked dazed. Ginny smirked, "So I don't think you'll be running away from me any time soon. And the handcuffs are voice activated, so no one can take it off except me."
Draco rubbed his throbbing wrist. "What if I need to go to the bathroom?" Draco demanded. "Are you going to come with me to maintain the five foot distance?"
"Oh I can adjust this," Ginny replied, matter-of-factly. "Ten feet, twenty feet, a hundred feet, two feet. Whatever I want." She grinned. "Come on, let's go." She started walking out the door. As soon as she walked more than five feet away, unbearable pain racked Draco's arm. "Phoenixes!" he gasped, and hurriedly ran after Ginny, desperate to relieve the pain.
/.\*/.\*/.\*/.\*/.\*/.\*/.\*/.\*/.\*/.\*/.\*/.\
By means of the Knight Bus, Ginny and Draco reached Gringrotts where they each accessed their own vaults and left with pockets jangling from galleons, sickles, and knuts. To Ginny's surprise, the Malfoy vault was fairly small, about as big as her own, though filled with mounds of various colored coins. Draco saw Ginny's look and interpreted correctly her surprise that his vault should be so small. "You know, this isn't the only vault, us Malfoys own," Draco commented carelessly, a scornful smirk curling his lips. "We have over a hundred other vaults in Gringrotts and near a thousand vaults abroad in banks all over the world."
Ginny broke out in unexpected laughter. "You sound as if it's degrading that I don't have that many vaults," Ginny chuckled. "Why I'm glad I don't have that much money! What would I do with so many galleons? I've got my family and friends, which is more than you can say for yourself."
"I don't need family and friends," Draco replied. "I can always buy myself whatever I need."
Ginny only shook her head pityingly. "You're so empty," she said. "And you don't even know it. You—oof!" Not watching where she was going, Ginny accidentally ran into a witch going into Gringrotts.
"Watch it Weasley!" The witch snapped coldly. "You just dirtied my new cloak."
Ginny could feel her spine stiffen at the familiar voice. Looking up she saw it was her old co-worker from the Ministry. "Matilda Verint," she greeted icily. "How unpleasant to see you."
The witch glared at Ginny and scornfully wrapped her own fur-lined cloak tighter around her body. She opened her mouth to say something scathingly… but then she saw Draco.
Matilda's eyes suddenly bulged out as she stared at the incredible good-looking wizard that was Draco. In a blink of an eye the sour, hateful expression on Matilda's face became a sweet, simpering one. "Why Ginny," Matilda exclaimed, her voice sugary. "You didn't introduce me to your friend here." Matilda beamed at Draco. "My name's Matilda by the way," she batted her lashes flirtatiously. "And you are?"
Draco looked at Matilda in horror before turning to Ginny for help. "Darren Englebert," Ginny answered promptly. "He's a friend from –"
"Umm, excuse me," Matilda cut in icily, glaring at Ginny, "I believe I was talking to Darren." She smiled sweetly at Draco and sidled up to him. "What do you say for some…lunch with me at The Three Candlesticks Tavern?" Matilda twined her arms around Draco, pressing against his body.
Draco looked down in disgust, detaching himself from Matilda's pawing hands. "I'm afraid I was going with Ginny to Diagon Alley."
"Whatever for?" Matilda demanded, a frown twisting her lips.
"Dress robes," Ginny answered shortly.
"Oh!" Matilda exclaimed, clapping a hand to her mouth in dramatic surprise. "Are you going to the Halloween Party next week too?"
"Not if you're going," Draco muttered under his breath while Ginny affirmed that they were going to the Party.
"Perhaps—" Matilda began, but Ginny cut in abruptly.
"We've got to go now, Matilda. I'm afraid we're rather busy. Tata." She walked away briskly.
"Darren—" Matilda began. But at that moment, Ginny had walked more than five feet away from Draco and his only response to Matilda's advances was a yelp before running after Ginny, leaving behind a disgruntled Matilda determined to get her clutches on Draco before the "filthy Weasley" could.
"Who was that witch?" Draco demanded, catching up with Ginny.
"Why I thought she told you," Ginny answered innocently. "Matilda."
Draco shuddered. "She brings back bad memories of Hogwarts when Pansy Parkinson was stalking me."
Ginny laughed. "Why I thought you enjoyed the attention!" she teased. "All that pawing and fawning. 'Oh Darren, won't you eat lunch with me at the Three Candlesticks?'" Ginny smirked, imitating Matilda perfectly, down to the whining pitch. She shook her head disdainfully. "Anyway, next stop, Diagon Alley. Come on, I'll disapparate us." Ginny grabbed hold of Draco's hand, and an instant later they were on the bustling street of Diagon Alley. Unnoticed by Ginny, she didn't let go of Draco after the apparition. Neither did Draco.
Diagon Alley was bustling with life. Wizards and witches in vibrant robes pushed their way through the busy streets. Vendors from the sides advertised their queer trinkets and other odd assortments. Draco stared about him in wonder. It'd been such a long time since he'd seen the familiar shops. Flourishes and Blotts. Ollivander's Wands. Quidditch Supplies and More. And down the alley, behind Weasley's Jokeshop, was Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, which was where Ginny was heading.
"Now remember," Ginny hissed, weaving through the crowd. "You're new name is Darren Englebert and you're a visiting friend from America."
"Englebert?" Draco wrinkled his nose distastefully. "Where did you come up with such a horrible name?"
Ginny smiled innocently. "I think it's lovely."
"And why am I a visiting friend from America?" Draco complained.
"What," Ginny teased. "You'd rather be my fiance?"
Draco grinned wickedly. "Why not? After all, we're already holding hands as it is."
Ginny looked down horrified and immediately let go of Draco. But Draco only pulled an arm around Ginny. "Now come along sweetheart," Draco mocked in her ear. "We've got to buy new dress robes for our engagement party next week."
"Draco!" Ginny glared at him coldly, pulling away from his touch.
"Not so loud," Draco cautioned, indicating his head at Weasley's Joke Shop as they passed it. "Wouldn't want your brothers to see you associating with me." His eyes danced with wicked amusement.
Ginny, flustered with Draco's antics, hurried into Madam Malkin's Robes, deciding it best to ignore Draco.
Madame Malkin's Robes was a brightly-lit store with all sorts of robes hanging on racks, and some floating in air, levitated by magic.
"Ginny!" A voice from inside the store greeted. Ginny whirled around to see her old school friend from Hogwarts.
"Eliza," Ginny hugged her friend. "What a surprise to see you!"
"It's wonderful seeing you again," Eliza smiled. "We haven't chatted since last year at the And whose your friend," Eliza asked with a mischievous grin, peering around Ginny to see Draco..
"Oh," Ginny blushed. "This is Darren, my friend—"
"Oh Ginny," Draco interrupted smoothly. "Stop playing around." Draco gave Eliza a charming grin. "What she's not saying is we're engaged—"
"That's wonderful!" Eliza squealed. "And don't you two make the cutest couple!"
Ginny stifled the urge to gag. Looking disgusted, she opened her mouth to protest but Draco spoke before she could. "Yes, and we've a party next week so we're looking for dress robes. We plan to make our announcement then." Draco added, giving Eliza a knowing wink.
Eliza looked delighted. "So know one knows yet! This is so exciting. Well, Madame Malkin's in the back of the store so she'll help you find the robes you need." Eliza gave Ginny another excited hug. "Congratulations Ginny on your engagement."
Ginny looked too shocked to say anything and Draco quickly pulled her away from Eliza lest she ruin the charade he was enjoying so much. When they found Madame Malkin under a pile of new robes and shared their false news of engagement, the old lady made just as much, if not more fuss than Eliza. Draco, in his prime, was shameless in his lies and did not hesitate to display his affection for Ginny.
"And we need dress robes for a party we're attending next week," Draco was saying, putting an arm around Ginny's waist and drawing her close to him. "The best one you have," Draco added. Ginny, bright red with rage, was too shocked and horrified to do anything but stare as Draco, immensely enjoying himself, continued to talk.
"Oh, of course," Madame Malkin sighed dreamily. "The two of you look simply adorable together. I'll be right back with the dress robes."
Ginny regained her composure as soon as Madame Malkin walked out of earshot. Slapping Draco's hand which had been resting on her hip, Ginny glared at Draco furiously. "Just who do you think you are," she demanded. "Fiance? Engagement? I don't want people even thinking we like each other much less getting married! Might I remind you that I'm practically your jail warden? You little—" Ginny was once again cut off by Draco as he bent down to cover her mouth with his own in a light kiss that left Ginny's lips throbbing and breathless with shock. Ginny stared at Draco, completely forgetting what she was saying. "What," a flustered, blushing Ginny asked, "was that?"
"That," Draco replied softly into her ear, his eyes dancing with amusement, " was to shut you up so that you don't ruin my fun. Wouldn't do if Madame Malkin heard you."
Ginny's eyes flew past Draco and she saw that standing only several feet away was Madame Malkin returning, with a rack of robes. "Madame Malkin," Ginny gasped. "It's not what you think."
"Exchanging a lover's moment," Madame Malkin winked knowingly, ignoring what Ginny had said. She sighed regretfully, "I hate to interrupt, but I have some dress robes for you to try on." She turned to Draco. "Eliza's got your dress robes, Mr. Englebert, sir. She's on the other side." She shooed Draco away (right after Ginny had discreetly adjusted the handcuffs) before turning to Ginny, her face alive with gossip. "Ooh, isn't he a gentlemen, Miss Weasley. I can see why you're so in love with him. He's certainly got looks." Madame Malkin pulled out a bright, red dress robe and held it up to Ginny. "What do you think dearie? Red's not your color, hmm? I didn't think so." Her eyes caught Ginny's plain, unadorned hand. "Why Miss Weasley, where's your engagement ring?" Madame Malkin demanded as she pulled out another cream-colored robe.
"Oh, we're not really engaged," Ginny protested.
"Cream definitely doesn't suit you," Madame Malkin decided, picking out a third dress robe. "Now, Miss Weasley, dearie, just because you don't have an engagement ring doesn't mean you're not really engaged, so don't you feel so bad about it. Why you're just as much engaged as my niece, Grizelda, whose fiance got her a gorgeous gold ring with the Phoenix Eye Ruby. It cost over 500 galleons too. Do you like this color?" Madame Malkin held up a pale purple robe with sequins sown all over the skirt.
"No—" Ginny began, meaning to say No, I mean I'm not engaged to Draco at all, but Madame Malkin interrupted.
"I have to agree, Miss Weasley," the old, well-meaning lady said, thinking Ginny meant she didn't like the robe. "I always thought these sequins a little gaudy. Hmm, so you want something simpler? How about this?" Madame Malkin held up a beautiful dark, forest-green dress robe embroidered in silver, simply cut with a slim fitting bodice and flowing skirts.
"Madame Malkin," Ginny began, desperate to correct the misunderstanding of her "engagement." But then she saw the dress robe. "It's beautiful," Ginny exclaimed. "I love it."
Madame Malkin nodded approvingly. "I like your taste, Miss Weasley." Her eyes twinkled as she added, "In dress robes and men."
Ginny stifled a groan, silently cursing Draco.
"Now, that'll cost you twenty galleons and three silver sickles," Madame Malkin said, folding up the robe and wrapping it in a bag.
Ginny mutely paid the coins and accepted her dress robe and followed Madame Malkin to the front of the store where Draco was waiting, have already bought his own robes.
"Did you find your dress robe alright, Ginny?" Draco asked, seeing Ginny and feigning a look of affection, while Eliza and Madame Malkin sighed over such a devoted lover.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Yes," she responded shortly. "Come on, let's go. I need to find some other things." She hastily pulled at Draco's arm.
Draco resisted for a second and turned to the two ladies behind me. "Good day, ladies. It was a pleasure meeting you," he bowed charmingly, ignoring Ginny's derisive snort.
"A pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Englebert," Madame Malkin replied, touched with Draco's politeness and gallantry.
"Don't forget to let us know about your wedding!" Eliza called, which explained the sour expression on Ginny's face as she forcibly yanked Draco out of the store.
A/N: -_- oh…well…I tried to make it funny…dunno if anyone will get the humor. But, that's okay ^_^, you guys can still review!