Chapter 8

A week has already passed by, and the July heat reminded those in the house of summer. Rebecca and Ginny were outside, playing in the pool, while Aislin stayed inside to finish the rest of her summer homework so that she doesn't have to do it for the entire summer break.

"Ginny, can we get Aislin," asked Rebecca.

"You don't have to, I'm already here," answered Aislin. She was wearing a white bikini.

"Glad you could join us," replied Ginny. Aislin gave her a smile, and Ginny gave one back.

"Jump in Aislin," shouted Rebecca, and that's exactly what Aislin did. She jumped in, giving off a big splash.

"Yeah," cheered Rebecca as Aislin wiped the water out of her eyes. The three girls had a lot of fun in the pool. Before either one of them knew it, it was time to go in for dinner. Ginny quickly prepared Rebecca for dinner, and Aislin quickly took a shower, changed, and went downstairs when she found herself presentable.

"Did you two girls have fun today," asked Draco.

"Yes," both of them replied.

"Oh yes, I've been meaning to ask you this Ginny. I'm having a midsummer ball next week. Would you like to come," asked Draco.

"I'll be glad to. I'll make sure that the girls won't make any trouble," reassured Ginny.

"Actually, you'll be our guest. Not as a nanny, just as a guest. Besides, Rebecca can't go. She's too young. She'll be with my mother."

"As a matter of fact, my mum wants to meet the girls. Why don't I leave Rebecca with her," offered Ginny.

"Please daddy, pretty please," begged Rebecca.

"Sure, why not," answered Draco.

"Great. I'll floo my mum, and tell her about Rebecca's arrival." Both adults and Rebecca were smiling. What they didn't notice was Aislin looking down at her food, with a sad face.

It was the night of the ball. Ginny dropped off Rebecca two hours ago, with her mother ecstatic when she met the girl.

"Are you sure that you don't mind watching her tonight," asked Ginny.

"Not at all dear. Now, you go and have fun. Rebecca and I'll have fun tonight," her mother reassured her. Now, standing in her room, getting ready. She was wearing a black dress, which was held together by straps tied together in the back; the length ended at mid-thigh; black tights, and black high heeled shoes were also worn. She put her hair up, leaving short curls at the nape of her neck and shoulders.

'I hope this is appropriate,' she wondered to herself, since Aislin was going to be at the ball. Before she knew it, it was 7.

'Oh dear, the guests would be arriving soon.' She took one more look at herself in the mirror, and left.

All of the usual guests were arriving, and Draco was introducing Ginny to all of them. Once all of the formalities were done, everyone was having a good time; drinking champagne, gossiping, and dancing. Ginny heard a happy shriek, and saw Aislin hugging a tall man.

"I can't believe that you made it Ari," she replied.

"Hey, I wouldn't miss this for the world," he answered. Ginny saw the couple, and had to admit that he wasn't bad looking either. Dark raven hair, tanned skin, tall (around 6 ft.)… Yep, he wasn't bad at all.

"Having fun watching my daughter snogging with her boyfriend," came Draco's voice.

"I'm sorry," Ginny apologized.

"It's nothing. Aislin doesn't mind. After all, she and Ari are in love."

"Ginny," Aislin shouted. Ginny saw her and Ari approaching them. She was wearing a light blue, short sleeved Chinese dress, with hair chopsticks in her hair; a pair of blue chandelier earrings hung from her ears, and a light blue scarf around her arms.

"Ginny, I would like you to meet Ari Goldstein."

"Goldstein. So, you're Jewish," asked Ginny.

"Yup. You probably heard of my father though."

"Yes. You are the son of Jacob Goldstein, aren't you," asked Ginny. Ari gave her a nod.

"Well, we wouldn't want to be bothering you the entire evening. Bye." Aislin pulled Ari away, and disappeared into the crowd of people.

"Would you like something to drink," asked Draco.

"That'll be lovely." Draco smiled at her. Ginny started to walk around, listening to what others were talking about.

"Can you believe that girl," asked one of the guests.

"I know. Coming into Draco's life two years after Kathleen died," answered another guest, both witches.

"What a money-grubbing slut. Did you see that dress she was wearing? No doubt she had to sleep with guys in order to afford that. Imagine, a Weasley."

"No kidding. I bet she even slept with Draco, and that he bought her the dress."

"You think?"

"Defiantly" Both witches laughed, not caring who heard them. Tears began to form in Ginny's eyes. Not caring who saw, she ran out of the ballroom, and out into the garden.

Aislin and Ari were kissing when they heard someone cry.

"Who's that," asked Aislin when they broke apart. Ari shrugged, and leaned in to give her another kiss. Instead, she stopped him and pulled away. She looked over his shoulder to see who it is.

"It's Ginny," she whispered. Ari turned around, and indeed he saw her too.

"What's she doing out here," he asked.

"No idea." Aislin was about to go and ask Ginny what happened when she saw her father coming out into the garden.

"Quick, hide." She pulled her boyfriend towards a nearby Sakura tree; both were watching them.

"Ginny," called Draco. He found her sobbing at the fountain.

"What's wrong," he asked. Ginny replied, but it was muffled.

"Sorry, can't hear you." Ginny looked at him, while trying to wipe away the tears.

"I overheard two witches talking about me. Said that I was such a slut since my family's so poor, and that I did it because I couldn't afford this dress."

"Don't worry about them. I know whom you're talking about. Those two have been after my family's money for years, even after I married Kathleen. Besides, who gives them the right to put you down?"

"I guess you're right. We better head inside." Ginny got up, but Draco pulled her down onto his lap. His hands cupped her face, and gave her a kiss; this one was more powerful and passionate than the one in her bedroom. Both broke apart for air, although Ginny wished the kiss would've lasted forever.

"We better go," she whispered. Draco let go of her, and followed.

"Whoa," replied Ari. Aislin just stood there near the tree, shocked at what just happened.

'How could he do this? How could he do this to mom?' The young girl ran inside, not bothering to answer what Ari called after her.

A.N.: Well? What do you think? I got a couple of reviews saying that Draco was 17 when Aislin was born. In reality, he was 18. His birthday is in July, while Ginny's in September (if anyone know their true birthdays, please tell me). So, Ginny hasn't had her birthday yet, since it's only in the middle of July. Aislin's birthday is in October. Alright, you all know the drill. Read and review.

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