Sorry, for such a lOOOONNNG update. Lol. I have hectic works in here you know? So I'm really sorry. And I don't hear any news from my other editor. Too bad. Anyway just wanna thanks again to Silverfangs for editing my work in here. If there's any fault in grammar or vocas, or everything, I'm just beg your apologize because Silverfangs is busy too and she was in a hurry when working on this. Lol. So...please enjoy. I really do sorry. Well, because I'm such in a hurry right now and I can't talk too much, too, so...See ya. I beg your review, please... Love ya all
And thanks for everyone who already reviewed my story. I know there're some of you who are too lazy to reviewing me, but I'm fine. as long as you love my story.
OOPS I there's a mistake in here. So I renewed the chapter. Well for whom read my first version, I'm really sorry for this mistake. It's about 'ALLY'. The name shouldn't be there. I'm really sorry.
Oops, The Ring Fits!
By The Eternal
All Over Again...
"Ginny! Ginny!"
The Healer candidate, Ginevra Weasley, whirled around, narrowing her eyes, trying to see who was calling her. Her cherry red lips curved into a smile.
"Mandy?" Ginny couldn't imagine what her friend wanted in her patrol area. That day she was doing her round in the second floor, the 'Minor Injuries' wing as part of her training to be a full-time practicing healer. After graduating from the St Mungo's Healer Institution, Ginny decided she wanted to get a license to open her own practice outside the hospital. So there she was, stranded in the hospital for another three years.
"Yes it's me!" exclaimed Mandy. The girl was very excited that she did not even stop for breath after running around to find her best friend. Her cheeks were flushed pink. Her clear blue eyes shone with life and excitement. Ginny could see perfectly why almost all the bachelors in St Mungo wanted to date Mandy Brocklehurst. The girl was an epitome of the perfect woman: not only the beautiful face, she also has the brain and the figure of a goddess
"Well…what brought you here?" Ginny asked, "any interesting news?"
"Of course!" Mandy grinned. "I have an offer you can't refuse, Ginny. I know that you need a job so you can pay your expenses," she looked at her friend's stick figure before adding quietly, "so you don't have to skip meals again…"
Ginny looked down to her own body and sighed. Well, she wasn't that skinny, was she? All right, she admitted it. She was skinny. Skinny Ginny.
The money from her parents was always late every month. Sometimes there was even no money sent to her because…well, it was just a tough time for everyone. Everyone was hoping that after the fall of the Dark Lord, the Wizarding World would become whatever utopian ideals people had in mind. They easily forgot that the important trade and commerce were once held by the rich Purebloods who were also the Death Eaters. The Ministry of Magic was thrown into chaos and uncertainties after they lost many of their key staff during the wars. Even though they have already formed a new ministry, it was still a baby step towards a stable politics and economy. The rest of them were just corrupt and incompetent. Other countries were unwilling to invest and help because all these problems. And the fact that there are many loose fanatics out there trying to revive the Dark Lord once again was not helping the economy at all. Well, those silly fools should know that the Order had already made sure that Voldemort was gone forever.
Vanished like ashes.
And she has moved on with her life, turning the wheel of life once again. She was lucky that the institution gave free education and accommodation because Healers were in high demand but very few people had the gift to become one. Even better than that, after a few days she attended St. Mungo's, the head of the institution offered her a scholarship. She was to choose between free meals or free textbooks. Of course she chose the books. Even the most idiotic person in this world, like Crabbe and Goyle—okay, maybe not them if it was regarding food—knew that medical books were a lot more expensive.
Now, she could only regret what she had chosen. But how could she have known that the prices would soar incredibly high? Books she could always get the used ones in the Diagon Alley—and the price would not change much. If she had chosen food that time, she wouldn't have felt hungry all the time. And at least, she wouldn't have to worry about when she could get her next food.
The sound of Mandy clearing her throat broke her reverie.
"All right, so what is the job?" Ginny asked.
"Well it definitely requires time commitment…"
"You know I can't do a full time! I have a lot of things to be taken care of here. I have rounds to do even during weekend," she exclaimed. Mandy looked at her pleadingly.
"It's not everyday, Ginny! You see, you can sneak out or call a sick day whenever necessary!" she reasoned but her friend still looked very unhappy. Ginny was a tough one when it came to fulfilling responsibility. "Listen first, okay? Madam Cheve is looking for assistants to help her party business. You would be helping with the decoration, waitressing, and cleaning up…"
"Party business?" Ginny furrowed her eyebrows. The only type of party she could imagine was those snobbish Slytherin Pureblood's socialite party.
"Yes…er..you know…Muggles call it 'event organizer'…er…" From Ginny's expression, Mandy knew that she had to make her explanation more pleasant for Ginny. "Well she is someone who plan important parties or other events according to the client's request. She would take care the catering, the orchestra, the atmosphere and decoration. It is normally for big party like wedding and…"
"Okay, just pretend that I know it," cut Ginny impatiently. "Now, how much will I be paid?"
"Five galleons per party!" Mandy whispered excitedly. "Five galleons, Ginny! Five galleons! Can you imagine how many days we can go through just with one party?!"
Five galleons? Oh she could imagine it perfectly well in her head! She could buy herself large meat which could last for ten days if she wasn't so hungry. And—Oh my!
"And you know what, Ginny?" Mandy continued, full of enthusiasm, "Madam Cheve told me that for a really big party we would get extra galleons and we can even get tipped by the guests!" Mandy looked overjoyed. Who wouldn't with such amount of money? Especially those like Mandy and herself. As far as Ginny knew, Mandy's Muggle father lost his job last year and ever since, she had to support herself in the Wizarding World by taking odd jobs.
Five galleons and more if she were lucky?! Ginny wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming. But she wasn't. Oh, the galleons she would never have in her life! Her family has always been poor as long as she can remember. She had never laid her hand on a galleon and now, she would have at least five galleons?!!
"So, do you want the job, Ginny? I have to give tell Madam Cheve after this. She wants it as soon as possible," said Mandy.
"Of course I'll take it, Mandy. Are you crazy? It's a must!" exclaimed Ginny.
Mandy chuckled, "all right, Ma'am! I'll tell her now."
And with that, Mandy turned around and walked back to where she came from.
As soon as she her friend was out of sight, Ginny's expression turned dreamy.
Five galleons. Five galleons! She repeated in her head joyfully. Oh, she promised she would do everything that Madam Cheesey of Chevey or whatever ordered her.
Merlin's beard, five galleons!
A silly grin was plastered on her face for the entire day, causing everyone who met her on the way to think that she was the patient who went missing from the fourth floor. (You know what place that is…)
-ooOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoo-
His gaze swept quickly across the room. Dreamy-eyed witches everywhere, dressed in their finest robes. Some of them giggling on the east side of the room while on the west side, a whole flock of crestfallen witches were entertained by the other bachelors in the party. Draco realized that his friends must be thanking him for bringing every available witches in the Wizarding World. Those whose finger could not fit the ring seemed to be the best preys for his hunting friends.
The number on the west side was increasing thanks to the ring. But Draco did not dare to put his guard down. His eagle-sharp eyes followed the movement of the ring carefully. His heartbeat always went up a notch every time a woman tried to put it on.
"Malfoy, still bride hunting?"
Draco tore his gaze from the ring and looked at Blaise Zabini, raising an eyebrow.
"You eyed the ring like it was your prey. I doubt you're afraid someone would steal it," Blaise commented. He sipped the wine from his crystal glass, "Excellent stuff, Draco."
"It's not time for me to celebrate yet."
"Well, the party is for you so you should try to enjoy it. Why don't you go dance with some of the girls here?" suggested Blaise. "There are many fine young ladies who have their hearts broken by a ring, Draco. Don't let those losers take them all. After all, the girls came for you."
"Let those guys take them all. Who cares? If not because of that selfish and idiotic ancestor who—" Draco stopped abruptly.
Something caught his eyes. Something amber and emerald that reminded him of Christmas. The lithe figure circulated through the throng of guests with much ease. She was so small that she could easily disappear if not for the red hair.
Red.
He knew that red. It was not just a normal red hair. It was too bright to be normal. And he could only think of one thing he hated the most out of that colour.
The Weasleys.
His eyes narrowed fractionally. He could not be wrong. She must be one of the Weasleys. The littlest Weasley and the only girl in Weasley band of brothers.
Ginny Weasley.
"See what I found in here, Blaise," said Draco, amused. He finally found something to entertain him out of his boredom. His smirk got wider as the 'Christmas' Weasley was walking towards them without realizing it. His brain was already filled with thousand of appropriate insult words for a Weasley.
"A Weasel."
Ginny almost dropped her tray when she saw the figure in front of her. A very real Draco Malfoy, with his trademarked silver blonde hair plastered permanently on his head. His cold gray eyes were watching her disgustedly, an evil smirk on his face. He towered over her, wrapped in an expensive-looking black robes.
Ginny suddenly hated herself for being too short. To make matter worse, she was wearing the green waitress robe, serving his party. Malfoy must have felt as if he could trample all over her with his commanding presence.
"Malfoy," she hissed, took a step back and glared at him. The memories from the past when this Draco Malfoy mocked her family in front of the entire Hogwarts flashed back in her mind. She felt anger and hatred surged into her heart,"Slytherin git..."
"Well, well, well," snarled Draco. He circled the girl before he leaned forward, encroaching her comfort zone. His eyes flickered with amusement. Surely he was enjoying his old pastimes, humiliating the Weasleys. "Didn't your mother teach you anything, Weasley? Or maybe not. After all you should at least watch your manner in front of your host. Don't you know whose party is it?"
Ginny gulped. In all honesty, she actually had no idea whose party it was. She only knew that this was the first big important party. She would be paid ten galleons, the extra five courtesy of the extravagant client who demanded all the waitresses to be dressed in green. She should have suspected from the impossibly expensive banquet they are serving and the ostentatious heirloom silverwares that the client wanted to use in place of the normal catering's silverwares.
"Excuse me, Sir, I have to go back to work again."
Draco scoffed. "Afraid of me, aren't you?" said Draco again, smirking at her. "Well…"
"Ginevra Weasley!" someone called suddenly. Ginny almost heaved a sigh in relief. No, she wasn't afraid of him. She just didn't like the feeling of facing him once again. Wasn't six years more than enough? Madam Cheve looked annoyed with the fact that one of her workers was interacting with the guests in a manner more than necessary. It was one of the things that made her service famous. The workers must be around at all times but without making the guests feel their presence. In other words, they are to be treated as invisible creatures. Her workers must not start any conversation with the guests. They can only reply when asked.
"See what you've done?!" Ginny hissed angrily. "If you get me fired, you'll pay!" Ginny glared at Malfoy before she approached Madam Cheve and followed her boss for 'the talk'.
-ooOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoo-
"Ginny, Ginny, Ginny!" Mandy had a wide grin plastered on her face when she approached Ginny.
"What?" Ginny snapped, irritated. She had more than enough trouble because of Draco, and now Mandy came to her with that smile. Somehow that particular smile of her is ominous. Everything always turned out bad for either of them.
Mandy looked around surreptitiously, making sure that no one was in a hearing range. Then, she leaned forward and whispered to Ginny's ear, "Do you want to try the ring?"
"Huh?" Ginny gave her a quizzical look. "What are you talking about?"
Mandy rolled her eyes and took something from the pocket of her robe. It was a green velvet box. "Madam Cheve wanted me to bring this to our client's study," she explained as she opened the small box, "This ring is what made all these women come to this place."
Ginny's eyes widened as she saw the platinum band. She never see real white gold in her life. And although the ring was not ostentatious enough for a Malfoy, it has a strange gleam that drawn her to the ring. Ginny snapped herself when her hand started to move to reach the band.
"Wait a minute," said Ginny, looking even more confused. "So those ladies came here because of this ring? Why?"
Mandy rolled her eyes once again. "Well, I saw them trying it on. I am not sure how it works actually. But I heard that Malfoy's bride is chosen by this ring."
"What?!" Ginny's eyes grew round, "Malfoy's bride is chosen by a ring?" Ginny couldn't hold her laughter. The notion that Malfoy could not choose his own bride was just bizarre to her. But then, no wonder the Malfoys are such cold people. They cannot marry for love. Or maybe it's just that no woman in her right mind would love the cruel, selfish and proud Malfoy so the only solution was invite all the gold-diggers to come and try the ring until it chose the better out of the worse. If she did not have this obligation to fulfill, she would go to Malfoy this very moment to mock him.
"Yup!" Mandy said again. "But isn't it such a pretty ring, Ginny? Wouldn't you want to try it on?"
Ginny looked at it and gulped. She knew she would never have another chance to wear a platinum ring unless, of course, she landed herself a rich husband.
"Why would I?" she lied. "It's Malfoy's, you know, and I would never touch things which are Malfoy's!"
"Ginny," Mandy said seriously this time. "I showed it to you because I want you to experience the feeling of having this beautiful ring around your finger. I don't think we'd ever get this lucky to have such luxury again. And I don't think you should be afraid that it will fit your finger. You know how this family thinks of lowly poor people like us."
"Alright, alright! I'll try it," Ginny relented. "I'll company you trying it on. You don't have to beat around the bush, Mandy. I know how you are."
"Thank you, Ginny!" Mandy beamed happily. She quickly pulled the other girl into an empty hallway.
The ring was so beautiful and Ginny could not stop staring at it. It looked golden at first but when she looked at it longer, she realized it was silvery instead. There were only one stone on it. A beautiful sparkling diamond…no wait! Why does it look more like a ruby now? Does it change color every few seconds or something?
"What? Why did color change?" asked Mandy nervously. "Uh, well… should we give it a try then?"
Ginny looked around for the umpteenth time. The hallway was devoid of guests. And there were no servants around. The distant sound of the music and chattering could be heard faintly.
"Hurry! You said you want to try it on."
"Well I do," Mandy answered hesitantly.
"Then hurry!" urged Ginny, "we don't have much time!"
"Alright, alright!" Mandy took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. "Wow! Fancy that, Gin! I am wearing the most beautiful ring we've ever seen."
"Yes, yes," answered Ginny hurriedly. She didn't even give it a glance. "Put it back, Mandy!"
Ginny was on the verge of panicking. She thought she just heard footsteps coming towards them but Mandy did not seem to notice. Was she imagining things? She knew she was a worrywart but she seriously did not want to lose her job. And what if Malfoy or his friends found her with the ring? Would that not be the most humiliating thing for her
"No! You have to try it first!" Mandy declared, offering the ring to Ginny.
"What?!" she hissed, "Are you nuts?!"
"You promised," Mandy responded calmly. "You have to!"
Ginny just stared back at her friends, finding only a stubborn conviction flashing in the other girl's eyes. The hallway was quiet. There was still no one as far as she knew.
"You promised!" Mandy insisted. "Now!"
"Alright, alright!" Ginny gave up. Mandy could be so stubborn sometime. And when she's in her stubborn mode, no one could stop her. "Happy?"
Ginny picked the ring from Mandy's palm and slipped it on her own. It slipped easily as if the ring was made for her. Her heart beat faster as she felt the ring grew warm. At that very moment she knew that the ring was not just an ordinary ring. It must be a powerful magical object. She could always sense the aura of powerful magic after her experience in the Chamber of Secrets. She shook her head. She must not let her mind wander again. She must take off the ring instantly.
Mandy smiled, full of satisfaction.
"Alright, now we have to go back to work before Madam Chevey notice that we have gone for too long." Ginny tried to pull the ring out of her hand, but it did not budge.
"Uh-oh."
"What happened?" Mandy asked. Ginny tried to pull it again but the ring remained on its place. "Harder, Ginny!" she said worriedly.
Great. Now you're worried…After this dumb thing is stuck on my finger!
"I-I can't!" answered Ginny, still trying to pull the ring out. "It went it easily but it won't come out!"
"Oh, Merlin! Cheve will cut my head," Mandy said almost hysterically. Even though she loves trouble, she is not exactly that brave.
No wonder she's in Ravenclaw, Ginny thought.
"Ginny…?" Mandy watched Ginny who was still struggling against the ring, worried.
"Maybe..maybe," Ginny said in between her breath, still trying to pull out the ring. "We could use some spell to…" Come on, come on! Get off my finger, you stupid ring! "…to take it…" Damn you, ring! Why, of any finger, do you choose to stick on me! "…off my fingerWhoa!"
In her violent effort to take the ring off her finger, she had lost her balance, knocked a vase, and created a chaotic noise in the hallway. Mandy and Ginny paled instantly. Both of them stared at each other, stunned.
If it looked like they were waiting for something bad to happen. They guessed right. Because as Ginny reeled from the fall and Mandy tried to regain her common sense, someone had decided to make his appearance.
"Now, now," he started, "What do we have here?"
-End Of Chapter 2-
Well, there's nothing I could say other than... REVIEW PLEASE
The Eternal
