"Chapter 4"
By Dejena
Disclaimer: I really don't all of this. Honest.
Author Notes:
I know, I know, it's been ten days since I've updated… I started off originally thinking I'll update at least once a week, but I sort of forgot about school… Heh, so after a while, I'll start becoming a bit more regular with my posting. I still have vague ideas where this story will end up, but I'm still playing with the strings… tehehehe
In the meanwhile, I would looooove to give my thanks, hugs, kisses and acts of affection to: Charmed-Goddess-07, Virginia Riddle-Malfoy and mistyqueen!
"Edwin, we must hurry. I shall meet you at the meeting point. Don't waste time." Ginevra said, as she popped by the apartment quickly before disappearing again.
Edwin blinked, and started making the proper arrangements. Something was going on, and he was curious. He knew, hired help was not supposed to inquire on such goings of their employer, but he had been serving Ginevra for years. He knew what his employer's every need were, and had seen her in every mood and situation. Well, until now that is.
Ever since that needledick Malfoy showed up during her nostalgic visit to the Stirring Wand, she had been on edge.
It was as if someone was actually provoking Ginevra.
And no one provokes Ginevra.
Except for the dead people, perhaps. Yes, dead people liked to provoke Ginevra, merely because she provoked them first. But really, besides that, idiots rarely provoked her
Quite sad, how the mighty have fallen. She's already driven away to her cabin on the cruise ship within days of the encounter, Edwin mused. She had kept a private cabin on the cruise ship, merely for the need of whenever she needed a vacation. She would go away for a day, or sometimes weeks, just relaxing on the cruise. It was really far more economical and easier just to let her have her own cabin. One that she could keep her extra stuff in.
One bad thing about the cruise ship though. It was a purely muggle cruise ship. Which means she always had to apparate to the next port and wait for the ship, in order to board. But it made it a bitch to find her once she was on board.
Edwin smiled. Oh yes, this will be a good trip. Right now the boat should be in the Mediterranean, at the Athens port. After the Mediterranean, the boat will be going down through Africa, and hopefully to India.
Unless if Ginevra is feeling like a bitch, and forcing Edwin to come along to another destination far too soon.
Edwin groaned.
He did not want to stay in the countryside. In Oklahoma.
He was far too posh for that.
XxX
"Miss Guest, It's a pleasure to see you again." Said the doorman for the cruise ship.
"Likewise Mr. Smail. I trust everything is going good?"
"Oh, of course ma'am. Do you need an escort to your room?"
"Not today. Have a good day."
Ginevra looked around the cruise ship. It wasn't one of those huge commercialized cruise ships that she wouldn't dare step on. It was one of those pleasant ones that only accommodated 40 cabins, but still full featured with a spa and all the glorious necessities. Most of the clientele didn't include children, and were generally on for a few weeks at a time.
If Ginevra's apartment was home, this was her vacation home. Right in the middle of the water, exploring all the ports the world has to offer.
And that dicksplat can try and explore where she might be.
She did give him a trail, leading to the Australian outback. "I hope he gets sun burnt out there." She murmured, as she walked down from the main deck onto her floor. Ginevra knew Edwin particularly liked this cruise ship also, especially since he had a separate cabin, and was excused from all duties. All but one duty. Attend daily tea with Ginevra.
And did he ever despise afternoon tea.
It was a personal joy that Ginevra enjoyed, mainly to irritate him. After all, you should never be too nice to your own staff. It could be dangerous.
XxX
Sweat trailed down Draco's face and back as Alicia fawned over him, offering water every step of the way. Draco rolled his eyes. "Why Australia out of all the forsaken places in the world?"
"I'm sure she has a lovely air conditioned place here." Alicia chirped cheerfully.
"Yes, she's going to have pity on your ditzy personality, and let you in, so you can irritate her until kingdom come."
"I'm quite sure she's waiting for us to find her." Draco replied, trying not to roll his eyes.
"Really? That will be great! I'm in the mood for a cold glass of pumpkin juice right now. Do you see her house?" Alicia asked with a brightened expression.
"Oh great. She really is a ditz. She makes Cho look smart."
"No, I don't see her house. I don't think she's here. This is probably a false lead." Draco said bluntly, hoping that Alicia didn't mangle his words to something else.
"Oh," Alicia said, "I suppose we shall go and get a hotel room. We can share the same bed."
Draco just wanted to bang his head against the nearest wall.
XxX
"Don't they always have pleasant tea pastries? Absolutely splendid." Ginevra said, using a sickly sweet smile on her face as she addressed Edwin.
"Just delish Madame." Edwin said, a little tic going off in his left jaw.
"Are you enjoying yourself here?"
"Oh yes Madame. It's a wonderful vacation for me."
"Good. We shall be leaving the cruise in a few days."
Edwin let out a groan. "Oh no, not Oklahoma."
Ginevra raised an eyebrow. "I take it the family estate of the Bernard family doesn't suit you."
"Many apologies Madame, for my rash words."
"I suppose it's awkward, how they've set up their home. You are aware that you've never been the actual home."
"Pardon me Madame?"
"I've always brought you to the façade house. The log cabin, the one that resembles a tiny hunting lodge."
"So, if that isn't the actual mansion, then where is it?"
Ginevra smirked. "The Bernard's don't like people knowing about their background either. It's a secret mansion, one that the stepmother isn't aware of. Candice Bernard said that the step-mother was of common blood, and had decided never to let that side of the family be aware of it."
"But isn't Shawn Bernard, her father, technically the ruler of their clan?" Edwin asked, his interest piqued.
"Technically. Realistically, it's Candice. She has absolute control through her father. Last of the last too. Honestly Edwin, I'm sure you will appreciate the Bernard Estate."
"As long as they have a proper stove. The supposed façade house had an electric stove. And even worse, they didn't have built in heat!"
Ginevra rolled her eyes. "Honestly, her step mother is muggle, she can't just bring her to the actual mansion. The step mother would have a heart attack!"
"If you don't mind Madame, excuse me."
Ginevra gave a small nod, and watched Edwin leave as he grumbled something about muggle's and how they lived. It was always humorous to see Edwin get irritated over anything not wizarding style.
Out came the dictate quills out of Ginevra's drawer along with a thick leather journal before Ginevra started to dictate:
"I haven't had to worry about my Auror AWOL status for quite sometime, until recently. This is my first time, purposely running away in the face of everything.
I still remember when I went AWOL. I had death eaters coming after me, like a moth going after fire. I asked my superior why, and they gave me a vague answer. Something along the lines of wanting to produce an heir to Lord Voldermort.
Of course I was working daily stuff with Hermione, the newly appointed Hogwarts Librarian, but I was still an undercover Auror. But Hogwarts couldn't have a undercover Auror around, especially when people wanted to impregnate her with the late Lord Voldermort's seed, could they?
Then after a few months of no activity, no missions, no word from the Ministry, I did go in. No, I barged in. I demanded the answer to why I wasn't getting any work.
I was a threat to the Aurory.
Someone had dug into my files, and had learnt of my first year in Hogwarts.
So I ran. I ran to New York. For five blissful years, I never was bothered. But now… Now a Malfoy, out of all the possible people out there, is chasing me. Chasing me to come back to work.
Really ironic.
I suppose I should plan out the next course of events. Oklahoma is definitely a secure place, and it should drive Edwin batty.
But I'll make it up to him once we reach California.
My own Butler is a bigger snob than me.
I really am a Weasley."
XxX
"So how does your search for Lady Weasley going?" Dumbledore asked.
"If you can't tell, we haven't found her." Draco said, still sweaty and dirty from Australia, his hair hanging loosely, out of its perfect coif.
"Where were you searching?"
"The Australian Outback. Bloody horrible if you ask me."
"Didn't you get the memo?" Dumbledore asked.
Draco paused, and responded. "What memo?"
"The memo I sent yesterday at 10:30 am." Dumbledore continued on merrily.
"Alicia and I left by 10 am sir. What memo are you talking about?" Draco gritted out.
"Oh! Such a shame… All of that effort for nothing…" Dumbledore shook his head. "Lemondrop? This one has extra calming drought in it."
Draco snatched the lemondrop out of his hand and started chewing on it while asking; "What. Was. That. Memo. About?!"
"It was relaying the message that Lady Ginevra is indeed, not in the Australian Outback."
"You received a message about her whereabouts? You pickled old senile bastard! What? You thought that the great Draco Malfoy going out to the bloody Australian Outback was small potatoes?! I demand to hear that message!"
"If you must." Dumbledore said, as he pulled out a picture and tapped his wand against it.
It was a picture of the great almighty Lady Ginevra that has been eluding Draco Malfoy. "Greetings Minister Dumbledore. I do hope that this picture and message finds you in great health. I also do hope that nameless people are out in the Australian Outback searching for an object that they will have great difficulty finding. Especially in that horrible Outback.
You are aware of the security risks you are taking, by doing this. By acting like the Gryffindor that you are sir, you will completely miss the point. Now, I suggest you start thinking more like a Slytherin. Why would I drop all those hints about me running off into the great Outback?"
Ginevra gave a condescending laugh before continuing. "You have given me more than plenty of time. I, Lady Ginevra Weasley, widow of Lord Tolsik, thank you, Minister Dumbledore. Please send my pleasant regards to Professor Snape that I will always be his little lion cub, and do tell Draco Malfoy that I shall miss his excruciatingly painful manner. Remember, X never marks the spot. Toodles!"
Draco sat at Dumbledore's office for the rest of the night thinking. "That wench wasn't even in the Outback?"