Disclaimer: I forgot this last chapter, and I am sure you all are smart enough to know that none of this belongs to me! Nada! Zilch! Anything you recognize is not mine. The characters belong to JK Rowling. So Don't Sue me!
A/N: I decided to post the second chapter as well so that you get a feel for the story. Please review!
Chapter 2: Lunch Break
Lunch couldn't have arrived soon enough! She really needed the breather, and she had been busy, which was always good. Needing to stretch she got up and walked around, looking at the newspaper, the muggle one at that. And on the front page was a picture of Draco and his mistress attending some important party. "Thank God muggle photos don't move," she thought. Otherwise she would have witnessed both of them all over each other. Of course, he was on there no doubt because of his girlfriend, Sylvia Price. She looked beautiful, like how Ginny always wanted to look herself. Such beautiful straight hair. Not like the wild tangle she had. Dusky skin, like bronze, not like the pale skin that turned pink if she laughed! And it burns too!
It's not like she wasn't attractive. Guys want to run their hands through those think tangles and place kisses on the spattering of freckles on her shoulders and nose. And of all places in the valley of her breasts! At least that's what Steve had told her. She didn't wear immodest clothes and prance around like the tramp in the picture. Okay, maybe she was jealous of the actress's beautiful looks. The suprising thing was that she was a muggle! And Malfoy, the oh mighty pureblood, was going out with her! And rumors are they are going to be engaged. She wondered if Sylvia knew about magic and wizards; she had certainly been here certainly but only through the muggle entrance doors. Somehow she didn't think Sylvia had any idea about the wizarding world.
She looked around her office. She loved this place; it was homey, and it was her. She certainly didn't like her boss, but, hey, she wasn't to blame for that. Who could like him unless they were being bonked by him? She really didn't need such pictures in her mind right now. So she decided to think about the place where she has worked for many years instead. On the outside their building looked like an ordinary muggle firm. They had two entrances, the regular one, that was also mugglel, and the secret for wizards only one. Under Steve, it was strictly muggle for the first 4 floors; the other 4 floors used magic after protesting much. Computers made jobs easier, so there really wasn't any use for complaining, but according to them it was the principle of it. The suprising thing was Malfoy stuck with the rule. He didn't make any drastic changes, didn't put people out of jobs or any other normal Malfoyish things. They even had a small section dealing with Muggle Britainl. The staff was strictly wizards because performing memory charms day in and day out is NOT advisable. The people dealing with muggles were muggle-born like Dean Thomas. Malfoy was happy to go along with this, again suprising her. Seems like her boss finally grew out of his 'all muggle things are bad' phase! The dress code was business suits, no robes, for obvious reasons. So all in all things remained the same here for the month Malfoy has been here. Maybe he didn't have enough time to make changes yet. That's probably it.
Being a secretary to Malfoy was hell. He was an awesome lawyer, but a terrible boss and person. He could turn on his charm at will, and make people fall at his feet. He could make witnesses rethink what they saw with their eyes, and make them believe that what they had seen wasn't possible. He could make the prosecutors eat out of the palm of his hand. His record was awesome, losing only in rare occasions. Her previous boss wasn't this great, but he was a good lawyer none the less.
Steve was certainly a great boss though! They were in the same year in Hogwarts, and he was in Ravenclaw. They dated in their 7th year for a brief time, but decided that it would be best to remain friends, and they have remained that. He actually saved her when she was in so much trouble. Once he asked her what she wanted to do after school, and she replied that she wasn't sure, but wouldn't it be just dandy to be a healer! Of course, she had always wanted to be a Healer, but deep down knew that the tuition was too expensive, and her family didn't have that kind of money. When Steve heard Healer, he put two and two together, and offered her a job as his PA at his dad's firm where he was going to be working. She wasn't a leech, and she was reluctanct to accept this at first.
But then the war came, and ravaged her family and her life. Percy was as good as dead to her then, and still was because he hadn't bothered to contact them, after 10 years. She didn't even know if he was alive or dead. Ron took the killing curse sent for Harry, allowing him to go on and kill Voldemort. Bill, her favorite big brother, who always rocked her to sleep when she was little, was killed before her very eyes by Lucius Malfoy. Her father saw this and went after him foolishly, but he was killed as well. Her mother was healing some poor soul when she witnessed this, and she just...snapped! There was no other word for it. She went crazy and is currently a permanent resident at St. Mungos. It still hurt to think of the two terrible years the war was waged. Charlie lost those precious eyes that looked like they knew something you didn't. George, her ever smiling brother, lost the use of his legs. She and Fred were the only ones who had escaped unscathed. She had witnessed the death of her brother and father. She had witnessed many things, and it left an impression like these things do.
She was only 19 when the war was over. She was in deep depression, and when she had no idea how to pay the bills or keep food on the table, she decided to take Steve up on his offer. She didn't know how to go back to a life of peace, and this was as good as any other way to start. She just felt empty. But things had to be taken care of. Slowly he helped pull her out of her depression. She along with Fred, George, and Charlie were paying for the bills. Charlie couldn't work too much because he was blind, but his healer fell in love with him and they married. She gave him back his confidence, and they were both running their bookstore together. Jackie was a very wonderful sister to her. Fred and George kept one another company; they had always been close. She dropped by their store sometimes. It was thriving right now. Hermione was engaged to Ron, but then Harry came along and eased the pain for her. They married and were living. They had all learned to pick up the pieces and live their life. They moved on, thinking time will heal the pain. She still missed her other brothers though, and her parents. How could she not? Ron was overprotective, but he also used to play with her doll when he was young. Bill's strong, broad shoulders where she always spilled her tears, even when she had been 17. The talks with her mother, and the songs her father sang. How could she not help but miss them? But it didn't hurt as much as it used to, to think about it. The everyday things kept her busy and she didn't think about it too often. War just wasn't fair.
She got her vengeance, however, when she testified and threw Lucius into Azkhaban. How did Malfoy, the son, feel about that? He always used to worship his father, and she never did see him fight for the order. She had heard rumors about how he had disappeared during the duration of the war. He had used the Fidelus. Now he was rich and living happily. Yup, life just wasn't fair.
Sighing she brought herself out of her reverie. She brushed the tear that had welled up in her eyes. Life had dealt her some harsh blows, but she lived through them. The war had crushed her dreams though. The burdens on her shoulders took care of that. Even though she was only 24, she had way too many responsibilities. So she decided to accept life as it was and move on, working and supporting her mother. The face that used to be filled with laughter hardly ever laughed anymore. Her remaining brothers did everything to make it easier, but it just wasn't the same. She just felt guilty to feel happiness. At least, they had someone to lean on. Harry and Hermione coped together. Sure she had her brothers, but it just wasn't the same. She had slept with numerous guys, in an attempt to cope, but again it wasn't the same. Steve is an awesome friend and he had been for her through it all, and she was grateful for it, but she was afraid there just wasn't any love in her heart anymore. She didn't even have that many friends.
She was startled out of her depressing thoughts when someone dropped by into the office. Taken aback, she just stared. It was an old woman, who wore a dress with big flowers, and in her hand was a small baby! "Hello, dearie, is this Mr. Malfoy's office?" she asked in a sing song tone.
"Yes," Ginny replied, gaping the woman rather stupidly.
"Well, is her here?"
She recollected her wits enough to answer "Oh, I am so sorry, he stepped out for lunch. Do you have an appointment?"
"No, I don't, but tell him that the lady whom he seduced on one of his cruises has borne him a son."
Now she was shocked, and without thinking she blurted out, "He seduced you ma'am?"
She laughed, actually it was more of a cackle. "Thank you, dearie, but I'm old! No, it was my poor daughter he left, and it is time he paid! My daughter refused to tell him , and is working like a dog to pay the bills and take of her son. She is an air hostess, you know, so I frequently look after the child. Well, she is on one of her trips now, and I would have looked after him, except I won a prize to the Bahamas! Can you imagine that! Bahamas! For a whole week! I couldn't very well take him now could I? So I thought about what I was going to do, and when I saw the paper, guess what I saw? Your boss, Mr. Malfoy. They said he had a small firm so I hunted it down and here I am. The least he can do is look after his son, don't you think? So I have Tom's favorite toy here, and his food and milk and blankie and all. If he starts crying, sing to him. So I guess that about covers it. I need to get going. Goodbye dearie!"
With that the woman walked out, but before Gin could go after he, the baby, what was its name? Oh yes, Tom, started wailing. Torn between going after the woman and calming the child, she opted to go after the child.
A/N: hmm, this chapter was a bit dark wasn't it? Sorry about that. But war means suffering and I didn't want everyone to come out peachy. If I killed of your favority characters, sorry! Please review and tell me how you like it!
