Note:

Lolua: P.I. Potter mentions in Chapter 3 that Ovaltine is muggle, and yes there are muggles … They intermingle with them, but not often. There are subtle references here and there to muggle technology. (I couldn't dispense with mine own kind so easily.) Thanks for your reviews, they're very insightful.

Eat Paper, Slim Shady, & Chocolate and Cinnamon – Thanks for checking in. Hope I can keep you interested.

COUSIN: I've forgotten my trench coat!

PS: Don't question the pauses … This is only a PG-13.

July 24: Revelations



Taking a drag off my cigarette, I pondered the day's events and tried to sort through them. I left soon after my jaw found Ron's right hook and went straight home, bypassing the Forge for the first time in a long time. My mouth wasn't closing properly and I didn't know if I wanted to pay for firewhiskey, only to have it dribble down my chin.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you that you shouldn't smoke in bed?"

I exhaled slowly and smiled. She had been at my apartment when I got home.

"Yeah, there was this girl I used to know that would tell me that all the time," I remarked.

"Smart girl. If you insist on smoking while still under the covers, the least you could do is share," she told me, pulling herself up against the headboard next to me. I held out the cigarette to her. "Thank you, Mr. Potter."

"Not at all, Miss Weasley."

Ginny quirked an eyebrow and blew the smoke from the corner of her mouth.

"I didn't get a chance to ask you; how was work before my brother beat you up?"

"Went well, actually," I replied, reaching a hand to my chin and stretching my jaw a little.

"For being so distraught over the punch, your mouth seemed to be working fine to me."

I smirked and took the cigarette back, taking a final draw before putting it out in the ashtray on the night table.

"Have you just given me your stamp of approval?" I inquired, looking at her.

"No, I did that last night," she muttered, scooting a little closer to me.

"Why couldn't you say anything at Deano's?"

"I have to make you work for some things."

I frowned.

"So … all of this …" I gestured vaguely at the two of us, "… is me working for information?"

"Did I say that?"

"In so many words."

"Does that bother you?"

I started to answer, but stopped, choosing to think for a moment. It shouldn't have bothered me. She was just my girl of the week.

No.

No, she wasn't and never has been.

She was Ginny.

"Harry Potter? Speechless?" she said, laughingly, turning to look up at me. I quickly regained my composure and winked.

"I was just making sure I heard you right," I lied. "So, chocolate bubbly pop?"

"Can you believe that?" she scoffed, reclaiming her place against my shoulder. "But that's his way. If there's a knut to be made, he'll do whatever he can to get that knut."

"Sounds like Malfoy."

"He's not that bad, really, Harry."

I made a face.

"He's not," she insisted. "Or he wasn't, anyway. I think he's been allowing Lucius a bit too much control in some things."

Oh, really?

"Interesting," I thought aloud.

"Maybe I've said too much for now …" Ginny whispered, biting the tip of one index finger while her other hand found my thigh.



"Lucius has been making … executive decisions, let's say, without Draco knowing about them," she explained, propping her head up in her hand. I did the same and took a deep breath.

She wasted no time in getting back to business.

"How do you know about this?"

"I've heard things from underlings. Errand boys who don't know how to hold their tongue."

I raised my eyebrows inquisitively and she smirked.

"Don't worry, Potter. There was no innuendo there."

"Thankfully."

"I found one in the archive office a couple weeks ago and he told me he was under orders from Master Malfoy."

I snorted at Lucius' title of choice.

"Yeah, that's what I said. However, another one was there last week as well. Both were snooping around in the flavor files."

"Do you think they found what they were looking for?"

"Draco has yet to document any of his cocoa commentaries, so, no, I don't think so."

"What were you doing in the archive office?"

She shrugged and hummed a little with a look of feigned innocence.



"I was doing a little spy work of my own," Ginny continued, holding out her hand and helping me back into the bed. "Two years in your company taught me a few things."

"I'm glad I could help you out," I grimaced, popping my neck.

"Are you okay?"

"Just a little stiff, that's all."

"Already?" she asked, playfully.

I chuckled and bit my lip.

"My neck. Please continue."

"Right. I wasn't there for flavor findings. I was going through employee dossiers. That's when I found out about Seamus."

"I thought Seamus worked for Ovaltine."

"Does the term double agent mean anything to you?"

"You mean a mole. I'm not a secret agent … I'm a private investigator."

"I thought you were a private dick."

I inhaled sharply when she touched me.

"I thought it was your neck."



As I gasped for breath, I began to think that I wasn't going to make it through the night alive. However, she was beginning to look tired, so maybe I would be alright. Not that I was complaining.

"Seamus is working for Albie, too," I told her when I found air.

For once, Ginny seemed surprised.

"At least he's supposed to be," I added.

"I think he's Lucius' man," she spoke up finally.

"So 'Master Malfoy' sent him to Ovaltine to get insider information on chocolate drinks."

Ginny yawned, but nodded her acquiescence.

"Seamus is then sent to keep an eye on me?"

My bedmate thought this over for a minute.

"Why, though? Why you?"

"I was hoping you could answer that."

"I can't."

It was my turn to think.

"Maybe my recent appearances at Serpensmordre made him anxious."

Ginny turned a scrutinizing eye on me.

"Just a couple, and who's to say they were anything more than window shopping?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"Were they?"

Ah, the valley of decision. I'd been there before and usually left with a black eye or a foot up my backside.

"No," I answered, opting to try a new route through the vale, hoping that, this time, my souvenir would be a t-shirt or tacky coffee mug.

She seemed stunned for a moment.

"You just risked your reputation to tell the truth."

I wanted to crack wise, but wisdom eluded me.

She kissed me.

"Maybe I should go now," she whispered, looking away. "My, uh … he … er … my …"

"Draco?" I offered.

"Yes, Draco, may begin to worry."

"Maybe so," I agreed, though the slight waver in my voice betrayed me.

She turned back to me.

"Let him worry."



I fell heavily onto the bed.

Ginny giggled a little.

"I think I've thrown my back out," I commented, staring at the ceiling.

"Then I guess it is time for me to leave. I think we're out of information anyway."

"Among other things."

She laughed wryly and I managed to prop myself up on my elbows.

"Are you really going to leave?"

Taking a deep breath, she nodded.

"It's probably better that way. Draco will ask questions if I'm missing overnight," she said, leaving the bed and retrieving her clothes.

I sat up on the edge of the bed and reached for my pants.

"He won't question your absence of the past several hours?"

"It's only been a few. I'm confident his father has provided ample entertainment."

"He's there when you're what's waiting for him at home?"

"I wasn't waiting for him today, was I?"

I smiled.

No, she wasn't.

She was waiting for me.

"Hey, Gin?" I called, standing and following her out of the room.

"Yes, Harry?" she replied, her hand on the door to leave.

"You really haven't heard anything about flobberworms?"

She laughed and shook her head.

"No, I haven't."

I couldn't help but laugh with her. She stepped to me and kissed me.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Ginny promised, leaving me standing breathless and shirtless in the doorway.

"Sounds like you've had quite an evening," a dreamy voice echoed from the stairwell a few moments later.

I chuckled and walked to the stairs. Luna was waiting at the bottom with a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Where's Neville?" I inquired, sitting on the top stair.

"He owled saying he'd be out late. I figured you'd know more than me."

"I haven't seen him since this afternoon, but you know he can't stay away from you for too long, Luna," I smiled.

"No, and it seems that two years was enough for Ginny," she smirked, eyebrow arched.

"Goodnight, Luna," I said, standing and walking back to my room.

"Goodnight, Harry."