An Acceptable Risk

Part 11

The first Hogsmede weekend had been a great disappointment in many ways to Ginny.  Nobody walked with her, or talked to her.  In fact, when she walked into the Three Broomsticks, the level of conversation dropped considerable.  Ginny, her head held high, walked to the bar and ordered a butterbeer.  She made herself finish the drink slowly before she walked back out the door.

Once outside, she collapsed against the door and fought to keep the tears at bay.

"Ginny, Hi," said Draco. She turned, startled and gasped. 
"Draco," she said.  "Where did you come from?  I never heard you."

"I apperated," he said simply.

"But, that's against the rules!" Ginny cried, aghast.

"So it is, but I did it anyhow."

"But aren't you afraid of getting caught?" she questioned.

"No, I'm not afraid.  Do you want to learn how to do it?  I can teach you."

Ginny sensed that this was a test, so she proceeded cautiously.  "I don't know Draco, what if something went wrong?  I mean you are supposed to be taught by a licensed apparitions instructor.  How would I explain it if I tried, and I left half of me behind?"

"Don't worry, my father taught me, he said I'd need it for when the Great Lord called me.  I can teach you.  It will be easy."

Ginny pretended to consider the suggestion.  "Well, it could be fun, but I am kind of worried about getting caught," she said.

"It's really simple, Ginny, I know you could do it," Draco urged.  "As for getting caught, there are ways around it," he said cagily.

"Really!" cried Ginny excitedly.  "How?  Please Draco, tell me, you can't say something like that and then drop it.  Tell me how?" she pleaded.

"There's a special stone you can wear," he answered.  "My father gave me several.  You have to put a special blocking charm on it.  It's a bit tricky, but you could probably handle it," he said.

"A special stone, really?  What kind?"

"Not so fast, not so fast," said Draco as he moved closer to her.  Ginny tried to step back to give herself some space, but found her back up against the wall of the Three Broomsticks.  She took a deep breath to try and quell the sick feeling she had in her stomach.  She didn't much like being so close to Malfoy, but she couldn't see any way out of it.

"Ginny," said Draco.  "I was wondering.  There's going to be another Yule Ball this year.  I was wondering if you'd like to go with me?"

Ginny blinked at the rapid change of subject, but worked not to show her surprise.  "I, I'd like to Draco," she said, "But I do have a problem.  I outgrew my dress robes, and mum and dad didn't have the money to buy me a new set, and I wouldn't want you to be ashamed of me."  Ginny forced the distasteful words out.  She hated saying anything negative about her parents, especially to Draco, but she had no choice.

"Oh, is that all," Draco said smugly.  "That's easily taken care of, I've got plenty of lolly.  Father gives me a fantastic allowance."  Ginny felt her back stiffen at his unmitigated gall, but she forced herself to smile.

"Well, I don't know that I'd feel very comfortable," she started to say.

"Ginny, what's wrong, you've gone dreadfully pale.  Are you ill?"

Ginny shook her head, staring over Draco's shoulder.  "Um Draco," she gulped.  "I think your father's here to see you."  She pointed and Draco whirled around to see his father looming over him.

"Good afternoon Draco, who is your friend?" inquired Lucius Malfoy in an oily tone.

"Father," said Draco, struggling to cover his surprise.  "What brings you to Hogsmede?"

"Oh, I knew you were going to be here, and I just apperated in to see how you are doing on that little matter we discussed."

"I'm doing just fine Father, now if you'll excuse me?" Draco forced out from between gritted teeth.

"And who is this enchanting young woman?" asked Malfoy senior.  "Surely this cannot be Ginny Weasley?"

"H-how do you do," Mr. Malfoy," said Ginny faintly.

"My you have grown up.  I insist that you join Draco and I for a drink inside.  Please come in," he said opening the door to the Three Broomsticks and ushering in Draco and Ginny.

If the conversation had lessened when Ginny walked in earlier, it was dead silent now.  Students from Hogwarts stared as Ginny sat down at a table with Draco and Lucius Malfoy.  A slow flush colored Ginny's cheeks and she struggled to regain her composure.  Come on, she said to herself.  I can't let him know he bothers me.  I have to be strong. Ginny took a deep breath and asked Draco if he'd get her a butterbeer.  Once he left the table, Ginny turned to his father.  "And how are you, Mr. Malfoy?" she asked politely.

"Don't bore me with your inane social chit chat.  I know you are up to something you scheming little brat, and I'm here to tell you stay away from my son.  No filthy Weasley will be getting their hands on the Malfoy fortune," Lucius said in a hiss.  Ginny was spared from answering by the return of Draco, with their drinks.  She took a sip of the warm butterbeer, using the opportunity to compose herself after listening to Malfoy's speech.  She turned to Draco, and smiled her thanks for the drink and said, "Draco, your father and I have been having such a wonderful chat."  "The poor man seems terribly misinformed.  He seems to think that I'm after your family fortunes," she said with a shrill little laugh.

"What!" exploded Draco. 

"Now now Draco," said Lucius smoothly.  "I'm sure Miss Weasley misunderstood what I was saying.  "I was merely explaining that such an old wizarding family as ours has to be careful with whom we align ourselves."

Ginny took another sip of her drink, aware that the next move was up to her.  "Perhaps I did misunderstand Mr. Malfoy," she conceded.  "The truth of the matter is, Draco has been advising me about ways to prosper in the wizarding world.  I believe it's quite obvious that my parent's methods certainly aren't working.  In fact, Draco has been telling me how important it is to, um make the right contact, and that's something I certainly intend on doing.  I've come to realize being a noble and brave Gryffindor isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Nobility doesn't keep you warm and fed."

"Interesting theories, Miss Weasley," said Lucius as the door to the Three Broomsticks opened.  Ron and Hermione walked in, hand in hand, followed by Harry.

"Oh look," said Ginny snidely.  "There's a perfect example of the wrong contacts.  Why my foolish brother chooses to align himself with that freak of nature is beyond me."

"And do you refer to Mr. Potter?" asked Lucius.

"Well, both of them actually," said Ginny, clenching her hands tightly under the table.  "But I was referring to that freak of nature Hermione."

"You don't like her, I take it?" asked Lucius as he took a large drink from the tankard in front of him.

"I was fooled by her for a long time, but I'm beginning to see the light, with help from Draco here," she said smiling at the blond boy beside her.  "Ron's made his choice.  I've tried to help him see that he shouldn't associate with that filthy mudblood, but he won't see reason.  He says he loves her.  I don't think love is going to save him in the end, but as I said, he's made his choice."  Ginny smiled coldly at her brother as he walked by, but inside she was shaking.

"Well, it appears as though I may have been wrong about you Miss Weasley.  Quite wrong indeed," said Lucius.  "I think you have the potential to go far in the wizarding world.  There are great changes that are going to occur, and I think it's very wise to align yourself with the new power.  He raised his tankard to Ginny and took another drink.  "Very wise indeed."