Chapter 2- Lies in Exchange for Sanity

What has it been? Like two months? I'm so sorry. I bet you all gave me up for a lost cause but the announcement of when the sixth book is coming out has spurred me into producing another chapter with another soon to follow. I hope you all have wonderful holidays, I've bought six packs of water balloons for our traditional post Christmas lunch water fight. Gotta love having a hot Christmas!

Oh and in regards to Jemmy I'm not getting spelling wrong or anything, it's a Scottish pet name for Jamie, we've always used it in my family so I just forgot that maybe not everyone would understand.

29 reviews for the first chapter? Thank you so much, I love you all!

Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Her somewhat exaggerated reaction didn't seem to faze Draco overly. He turned and his eyes traveled from the broken glass up to her face.

"So it is you." he said calmly, but she saw his shoulders had tensed considerably. "I saw the picture and wondered, it's the one from the room at Hogwarts, isn't it?" He looked over at her but she was standing absolutely still with an expression of frozen horror on her face. "What did you do? Steal it?" he asked.

Ginny felt her body begin to unfreeze, she knew she was becoming mobile again because her hands had begun to shake and her legs were feeling wobbly. She stumbled backwards and propped herself against the wall, leaning her head back against it's cool surface.

"Malfoy?" she asked faintly, needing him to clarify the ridiculous situation.

He raised an eyebrow sardonically, "So it would seem."

They stood and stared at each other for several long seconds. Ginny let her eyes travel hungrily over him taking in every small detail change that had occurred in the five years since she had seen him last; like his more defined facial features, the change of hairstyle into a rumpled, spiked mess and the slight broadening of his shoulders.

His eyes were similarly drinking her small stature in. He noticed that her hair had darkened slightly and that her face and body had matured in the years they had been apart. Draco's stare intensified as he realised he was angry that these changes had taken place without him. It was if he had expected her to remain exactly the same, unable to move on without him. His eyes caught sight of her engagement ring, it was hardly inconspicuous after all what with the dazzle of the diamonds and gleam of the large pearl.

Ginny noted him analyzing her and, although she had been doing exactly the same thing, she coloured indignantly. Following his line of vision she covered her left hand with her right subsequently covering her large engagement ring. His concentrated gaze annoyed and worried her, it was also sending her emotions haywire. Having brutally trained herself to avoid thinking about Draco the sight of him was ravaging her carefully constructed emotional stability.

Ginny tore her eyes away from him and looked up at the ceiling of her office blinking back a sudden wetness in her eyes and attempting to shove her distress back down deep inside. She told herself fiercely that she would rather die than let him see the effect he was having on her after all those years.

"It's been a while, huh?" he said gruffly turning his back to her ostensibly to look out the window but it seemed more as if he too was having trouble keeping his feelings in check

Ginny took the opportunity to wipe her eyes clear and get herself under control with a couple of deep breaths.

"Yes it has." She agreed. There seemed little else to say after that so she closed her mouth again and stared at his back.

"You're engaged to Dean Thomas." He said suddenly in a very controlled tone of voice.

Ginny's eyes widened in surprise, "How did you know?" she gasped. What she'd really wanted to ask was Why do you care? But she thought that would open up a can of worms that she really didn't want to explore ever again.

To her consternation Draco chuckled mirthlessly, "You write for the drivel they call the Daily Prophet but even you are surprised that people actually read it?" he said cruelly and Ginny felt a dawning sense of realization come over her.

"You read the announcement in the paper." She said, "But I thought the Daily Prophet didn't go out to South America, I was told that they had their own wizarding paper."

"Checked did you?" he turned to face her again but the smirk she was sure would be plastered across his face was missing. "Tried to make sure I wouldn't know?"

It was the truth. As soon as he had graduated from Hogwarts Draco had been employed by the Argentinean Gringotts division as a part of their magical security team. He had left for South America straight away and, although she had tried not to enquire, Ginny was fairly certain he hadn't been back since. When Dean had suggested that they announce their engagement in the paper Ginny had checked the Daily Prophet distribution lines to see how far it went. She had been guaranteed that her paper would not make it as far as Argentina and she had been extremely reassured although she wouldn't admit to herself why that was.

"You did, didn't you?!" Draco was continuing seeming to read the look on her face.

"Of course not!" she lied knowing even as she did so that it was futile. Although she hated to admit it Draco knew how to read her better than most people including some members of her family.

"You're lying Virginia." The simple statement of fact stole away all her protestations and explanations. His next words hammered home the reality of his presence before her. "Why would you try and keep me from knowing that you were engaged? After what happened between us what made you think I would care?" his voice was cold but if he could read her well then it certainly worked both ways and Ginny noted that he was avoiding her eyes and sounded hurt and angry rather than uncaring which he was clearly trying to imitate.

There was a long pause. Ginny was not going to answer him, she knew he knew that but he was waiting for her to speak anyway.

"I think you should go now." She said quietly. "I'll be in touch about the project. I think there should be a way for us to find this secret vault while spending as little time as possible in each other's company."

"And that's what you want, is it?" He was angry and this time he didn't bother trying to conceal it.

"I thought that would be what you would wish." Ginny replied, avoiding answering directly as she wasn't sure what she would actually say.

"What I wish for you can't give me, Virginia." He stated and for one second Ginny entertained a romantic but disturbing notion of him pining away wanting her but never able to have her. Very quickly this imaginative thought was thrust aside as he marched past her and out the door muttering:

"I wish I'd never met you."

Ginny winced slightly as he slammed her office door. She stood transfixed gazing at the solid wooden surface, carefully not thinking but instead letting a reel of emotions flicker through her. Anger, anguish, disappointment, alarm, anger again and then, slowly but very surely, fury. Red hot and burning fury which made her want to wrench open the door, march after Draco and let him have what for. She had barely lifted one leg, however when she heard a voice call out behind her.

Whipping around she saw Dean's beaming head buoyed happily on a sheet of flames in her fireplace. His smile fell from his face as he saw her expression.

"Gin?!" he called out in alarm, "What's wrong?"

"Did you know? Did you know he's here in England?" She spat out switching her anger onto her fiancé in the absence of the real cause.

"Who's here? What's going on?" Dean asked in confusion looking around her office as if he would be able to see who she was talking about.

"Malfoy!" she said gathering up as much hatred and anger into that one word that she possibly could. She dropped to her knees in front of the fire. "He was in my office a minute ago, we're supposed to work together on a case but I…" she had been about to declare that she was going to refuse to do it but her mouth decided to form it's own take on her thoughts and what she ended up saying was: "…I don't think I can."

Dean cursed and Ginny looked at his head in surprise. He rarely used swear words, at least not in front of her.

"It had to happen sometime I suppose. It's alright Ginny, I'm coming home. Just try and avoid him until I get there." He spoke quickly and sternly and seemed ready to withdraw his head from the fire and get started on the trip straight away.

"Dean hold up there a sec!" Ginny exclaimed leaning forward and placing a hand alongside his jaw. "You're not coming home."

He blinked slowly in surprise, "I'm not?" he asked and Ginny smiled fondly.

"Of course you're not. You worked hard to get that story up in the mountains you're staying until you've clicked away to your heart's content."

"Taking photos takes second place if you need me. You shouldn't have to deal with Malfoy by yourself. I helped you before, I know what you're going through. He messed you around once Ginny, you can't expect me to stay up the mountains and let him do it again, can you?" Ginny was glad only his head was visible in the fire, it stopped her throwing herself into his arms and thanking him for being so kind and sweet. She was trying to stay angry because she didn't want to have to deal with her feelings once she was no longer in a state of fury.

"I've grown up a lot since Hogwarts and I can handle this, Dean. Let me be a big girl and sort it out. It shouldn't be a problem we're only working together, after all." Ginny didn't remember being such a liar as a child, maybe more of Draco had rubbed off on her then she thought.

Dean, however, seemed comforted by her assurances. "Well if you're sure then I suppose I had just better let you get on with it, as usual." He chuckled. "You know one day I would like to have just a tenth of your confidence Ginny, that would more than do me for the rest of my life."

She raised her eyebrows unbelievingly then leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. "You're sweet." She smiled, "Well I'd better get on with my work otherwise Colgan will be angry at us both for getting up to shenanigans in his offices."

Dean gave a lopsided smile and nodded, "It wouldn't be the first time." He pointed out and Ginny coloured slightly at the memories.

"All the more reason not to get caught at it again." She said mock fiercely pulling away.

"One second, how's Jemmy?" Dean asked.

"Fine, perfect actually. He keeps me busy and happy whilst you're away."

"So you don't mind…"

Ginny cut him off before he traveled down the road now more than familiar to them both.

"Dean if I've told you once I've told you a thousand times, I love Jem and looking after him is one of the great delights of my life. I would have him forever if it was necessary but he needs his father and the sooner he comes back the better. Now scoot, I'll talk to you again soon."

She looked up and felt a stomach give a twinge of alarm as the expression of deep love on Dean's face registered with her. His affection for her often scared her like this but she had long since trained herself to hide her discomfort.

"You're incredible." He muttered, "I love you so much."

"I love you too." Ginny assured him, "But if you don't remove your head from my fireplace I'll put the fire screen up and your face will get squashed."

Dean laughed and then his face withdrew from view silently and Ginny found herself letting out a sigh of relief. Instantly guilty she gave a little groan of annoyance at the sudden complications which had sprung up around her. Before she had time to consider that the supposed 'complications' all led back to one single, but very big, problem there was a tapping at the window and she saw a little owl was fluttering outside.

"Pigwidgeon." She said feeling a smile spread across her face as she hurried over and let the bird in. He hooted excitedly and bobbed happily as she stroked him gently with one finger while removing the letter from his leg with the other.

She unrolled the parchment and noted the tight, neat script which was easily identifiable as Hermione's.

Dear Ginny,

I don't know if this is the right thing to do or not but I just wanted to let you know that Draco Malfoy is back in the country. I signed his entrance visa this morning but I didn't actually see him for myself. I don't know why he's back, but something made me think you would like to know. I'm sorry if this is inappropriate, I know after what happened between the both of you that you no longer have any feelings for him but I would like to think that if a meeting did occur you would be prepared.

See you for tea on Friday as usual?

Love Hermione

Ginny read the letter over twice more and then crumpled it viciously in her hand. She stared vacantly out the window for a second then stumbled back until she felt her back against the wall again and then slid down into a heap on the floor. She put her head in her hands and then proceeded to go very quietly, but very thoroughly, to pieces.

He he more angry Draco! I want more angry Draco! So many reviews, thank you so much. Some people get really antsy about personal replies so I'm sorry if this annoys you, however I enjoy doing it so just avert your eyes if necessary :)

Charmed-Goddess-07: Yay you came along to this story too! I was so happy when I saw you had reviewed. Jemmy Ginny's kid? Hmm maybe or maybe not. Thank you so much for giving your support to this story too!

Mereschino: Thank you for your review, I'm glad you're interested in who the characters will turn out to be. I can't wait for people to find out too, I hope you all like it.

Naughtygrl: well golly gosh I reckon you might be right! Thank you for reviewing :)

LovingFanFics: It's so good to see you review! Wow you have high hopes for this one, it makes me feel guilty for not updating in forever. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm, I hope the story rises to your expectations. Love you!

Starrynight12312: Why does everyone think Jem is Ginny's child? This chapter contains a clue as to his parentage but I think I'll leave the actual unveiling of his identity for a little longer. So good to see you come along to this story as well, thank you.

CSJune: I'm glad you liked it. This is the first time I've written a sequel so thank you for saying it was a good way to begin.

Rutupatel: I've replied to your reviews so many times that I remembered how to spell your name without having to check back (I've broken it down into rut-up-atel in my mind!). I can't believe you've read The Ultimatum through three times. I don't think even I have done that! I certainly felt the glare and it has been following me around whilst I have been doing anything else rather than updating! Thank you so much for your fantastic review, please don't hate me for the time I've taken!

Pawzz: Yeah I already feel bad for Dean, I didn't feel bad for Harry but then he's an idiot so….anyway thank you for reviewing.

FNP: And I'm excited to see you reviewing, believe me! Well read this chapter and tell me whether you think Jem is Ginny's. Draco is well gorgeous in this one, in my mind anyway! Thanks :)

Friends-16uk: I bet you feel like you've been waiting even longer for the second chapter. Sorry mate, hope you forgive me :)

Demented furiae: Man you are going to be even madder at me for the huge gap between chapters aren't you?! Sorry. But yes it is Draco, very good guess, you get a gold star and then another again for being patient and then another one again for reviewing!

Julia: Thank you, sorry I didn't comply with your wish and you asked so nicely too :)

Lilblondeiy214: Hey you've come with me too! Yay! We do have instant messaging in Australia but there is a time difference of something like 9 hours with the US so probably your friend is asleep when you're online! Thank you for reviewing.

Bereth Uireb: yeah the ending of The Ultimatum caused a bit of controversy, I was accused of doing a cheap publicity stunt for my sequel which I thought was great. I've never done a cheap publicity stunt before, or even a relatively expensive one come to that! Jemmy seems to be a major thing for people so I might leave him a bit of a secret for a while! Thank you for reviewing.

Depth of Soul: Hello again! I hope your lip is okay, I don't want to responsible to damage caused to one of my favourite reviewers! Glad you picked up on the Harry thing, I thought I'd better put in that they're still friends and everything. The review was fine, don't worry I shocked a lot of people, I didn't realise it was stir up such a response! Sorry about the wait (eep don't attack me!) but thank you for reading at least the first chapter.

CheckeredShoes: I like your name, it made me giggle. Thank you for your enthusiasm and your impeccable manners!

Nickel: Thank you for saying you like The Ultimatum and I'm glad to see that you want to read the sequel. Yeah I'm a bit of a fan of Colgan, my friend says she can't take the name seriously as it just reminds her of toothpaste but I like it and I think it suits the character. Thank you for reviewing.

Heart Broken Devil: Gosh Jem's parentage is being spread out over all the boys Ginny knows! Thanks for your review.

Kermit: Well I'll try and keep it up for you! Thank you for reviewing.

x0Malfoy0x: I'm glad you're so happy about the whole thing! There isn't a cliffie at the end of this chapter so I hope that makes you happy. Hope the reactions were up to scratch. Thanks!

MemoriesOfYou: I'm glad you thought so. I hope you read this one as well and enjoy :)

d347hbyp45510n: The quote was the very first line of the first chapter as well as the very first line in Rebecca with obvious changes! I hope you're not too angry at me for forcing you to actually do school work, I feel awful that I would have made you do such an awful thing. Maybe you didn't and spent all your time pittling! I'm glad you didn't just pittle on by past my story, thank you for that!

Dracolovesginny: Yikes I don't want to be beaten by a radish but I guess I deserve it here star123 submits to substantial pounding with root vegetable I hope that makes you feel better. Poor Dean, I can see he's going to be the baddy for some people here! I hope you liked this chapter.

Rockon2680: Hmm what happened? Well I guess you'll just have to wait for a little while to find out! There will be flashbacks, I promise but I'm not sure when I'll slip them in. Why Dean? Because I've always thought he's a sweetie and now I get to write him! Thanks for reviewing.

Saemm: Thank you so much for saying it was awesome and that you enjoy the plot already. By the first chapter? You're a star! You're awesome too, more than in fact!

Zuvalupa: thank you for saying you liked the beginning, I hope it continues to entertain.

Padfootedmoony: Hello my friend! Things will be fixed, look I have a hammer and everything! Thank you for reviewing, I'm glad you checked in on the sequel.

LilliannaRose: Eek sorry, I didn't really obey your command did I?! Oh well, thank you for your demand anyway :)

Danielle: Jem is an enigma at the moment, I can't believe people are so interested in him! Thank you for saying it is a great story!

Phew been a while since I've done that! Thank you everyone and MERRY CHRISTMAS OR ANY OTHER HOLIDAY YOU CELEBRATE!!!

Love Jess/star123