Chapter 3- The Significance of the Ring

Considering this story is called The Ring I thought I better get around to introducing the significance of it!

How about this people? From 2 months to 1 week update! This chapter is a bit longer as well I think so there you go.

Next chapter will be a flashback one, I promise. Oh and one more thing, I'm going to the Falls Festival over New Years. This probably means absolutely nothing to people who don't live in Oz but it is a huge rock event which goes over three days with camping and awesome music. I'm so excited!

Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Ginny was up, dressed and ready for work at a ridiculously early hour the next day. Hurtling through the fireplaces on her way to the office with Jem on her hip she thought how good it would be to be in early to sort out her day for once. She would answer her mail, see Jem settled and then…and then…then Ginny drew a blank. She knew she had to sort out the Draco issue but how exactly she was to do that she wasn't sure.

Rolling the idea of sending him a letter containing very discouraging wording around in her head she almost missed the appropriate fireplace but managed to catch it just in time. She staggered out, considering as she did so that maybe while Jem was with her an alternative mode of transportation should be considered as staying upright and keeping him safe was kind of difficult.

She was so busy keeping a grip on both herself and the baby it was several seconds before she was able to take in her surroundings. Finally sorting herself out and fairly sure there was no soot on her or Jemmy Ginny glanced up and as such was able to not only see Draco before he moved behind a large filing cabinet but read the expression on his face. If surprise and supreme annoyance could be mixed up and painted on someone's face that was what he was wearing.

She jumped slightly, her body giving a little reminder that seeing him again was more than a little disconcerting; her mind was pondering something else. What was that look for?

Suddenly something fairly major clicked in her brain which made her wonder about her ability to put things into order of significance accurately. Yes Draco had looked at her strangely but, more importantly, there were no filing cabinets in the foyer area of the Daily Prophet!

At least not usually.

Now, however, there were about 20 huge cabinets in a square forming a sort of room. There was one small gap between two filing cabinets where she had just seen Draco but apart from that there was no way of seeing inside this little space. It looked like Draco had created his own office.

Well if it keeps him out of mine that's fine with me!

Ginny thought, although there was a part of her, the part which still imagined itself to be a child, that was jealous of this cubby house he'd built himself. It was lucky the foyer was so large or there would have been no way it would have fit. Ginny wondered if Colgan had seen this little arrangement yet, when he did she expected that he wouldn't exactly be a happy chappy.

Walking forward she reached up and knocked on one of the filing cabinets on either side of the gap. Her knocking made a dull, metal thunking noise which echoed in the large marble foyer.

Receiving no answer Ginny stuck her head inside the cabinet room and laughed out loud at what she saw.

"Decorated your Wendy house as well I see." She said between giggles as she took in the large deep red rug on the floor, the beautifully carved wooden table with two lamps and a vase of flowers on it and two comfy black leather lounge chairs.

Draco was squatting in front of an open drawer running his long fingers through the files and he twisted his head round to look at her as she spoke. His cool gaze fell on her, then Jem and then to the flowers on the table. Ginny decided that for once the disgust he was showing was not for her but for the décor.

"Yes, you've caught me out," he drawled sarcastically, "when I said I was going to South America to work in magical protection with Gringotts I was actually attending a prestigious school of interior design. This is the result of several years of hard work. Impressed?"

"I like the idea of using filing cabinets as walls, very chic." She answered amusedly.

"Very in now." Draco agreed turning back to the task he had been intent upon before she'd interrupted him.

Ginny walked further into the 'room' and ran her hands absently along the soft leather of one of the chairs.

"So are you going to tell me what this is all about?" she asked leaning down and settling Jem into the chair. He had been lolling sleepily against her chest and her arms were beginning to ache. Jem didn't seem to notice he was being put down as he snuggled against the arm rest and began to nap.

Not hearing a reply from Draco she turned around and found that he had his head down trying to reach a file up the back. There was no doubt in her mind that he had watched her putting Jemmy down but now he was purposely avoiding looking at her. Pursing her lips she marched over to him and tapped him sharply on the shoulder.

"Oi, file-head, come out here and answer me." She demanded in clipped tones, if there was one thing she didn't like it was being ignored.

Draco pulled his head away from the files and straightened up. "Fine, the 'homey' touches were supplied by that nosy little apprentice. She saw me doing this and insisted on decorating it. I was busy so I just let her get on with it. However, if it disturbs you that much…"

Ginny had been about to protest that she meant the whole filing cabinet house thing rather then the decorations when he suddenly strode past her over to the table, picked up the vase with the flowers in it and lobbed it over the top of the filing cabinet wall.

There was a loud smash as it hit the floor on the other side.

Draco turned around. "Happy?"

Ginny stared at him incredulously. "Are you insane?!" she shrieked, "What if someone had been standing on the other side of that wall? What if that was Heather's antique vase? You're such a moron! Don't you ever think?"

Jem stirred, looking like he was about to cry and Ginny brushed past Draco and stroked the soft down of the baby's hair soothingly, shushing him gently whilst continuing to glare at the former Slytherin.

"Firstly Virginia, after, did you call her Heather?, well after she barged into my space I thought it would be a sensible idea to put a ward on which would prevent everyone except you and I coming within two metres of this area." He paused and looked down at Jemmy, "Clearly with the exception of those you carry in here. Try not to make that a habit I'd hate to see you wander in with Potter cradled in your arms. Anyway my ward would make it extremely unlikely, actually impossible, for someone to have been injured by that vase. Secondly I watched that girl transfigure that vase out of a hat from the lost and found box so it is not an antique. Thirdly I am not a moron. And fourthly I am quite renowned for my thinking."

Before Ginny could reply Draco's eyes suddenly switched their attention to something standing behind her and she turned her head to see what had caught his interest. Colgan was standing outside the perimeters of Draco's spell and appeared to be shouting something in at her but she couldn't hear a thing he was saying. Looking back at Draco for an explanation for this strange behaviour he shrugged.

"A silencing charm seemed like a good idea as well."

"I'd better go to him then." Ginny looked down at Jemmy and smiled at his peaceful expression as he slept. He'd had a rough night with an upset stomach and she hated to wake him now he was finally getting some rest. Weighing up Draco as a possible babysitter she determined that he was unlikely to cause any damage for a few minutes while the baby was asleep.

"Just keep an eye on Jemmy for a moment then." she instructed and then, as he opened his mouth to protest, she added, "Just do it Malfoy." before hurrying through the gap and over to Colgan.

A full 20 minutes later Ginny escaped from Colgan's office and almost ran back to the foyer. She hadn't meant to be so long but she had been working with Colgan distributing all her current and prospective cases amongst the others in the office and passing over contacts and information. It had taken quite some time but now she was free of all obligations except the Gringotts case.

To her surprise Colgan hadn't minded Draco's little set up in the entrance way and in fact was very keen on emphasising the importance on her cooperation with Draco. This, apparently, included spending long hours sorting through the files which Draco had somehow appropriated from a number of sources including the ministry of magic, Gringotts and, of course, the Daily Prophet itself.

Rushing back into the cabinet area she looked down into the seat where she had left Jemmy. He wasn't there. She scanned the room quickly but could see neither hide nor hair of the baby. Ginny turned panicked eyes onto Draco who was seated at the table poring over some of the files.

"Malfoy!" she snapped and he raised his eyes calmly.

"Yes Miss Weasley?" he asked politely.

"Don't you Miss Weasley me! Where is he?"

"Where is who?"

"Jemmy, the baby, about yay high!" she exploded putting her arms up and showing the small height of Jem. "Brown eyes, black hair, dark skin, the one I left in the chair over there! Where have you put him?"

"Oh that, yes I know what you mean." Draco said leaning back and eyeing her with a hint of amusement.

Ginny waited for a moment but when it seemed he wasn't planning on continuing she yelled, "Draco if you don't tell me this bloody second where he is I am going to hex you into oblivion then bring you back and rip you to pieces with my bare hands!"

"Tut tut, hardly complimentary, Miss Weasley." He said jovially. "Well if you must know, it was looking at me strangely so I filed it."

"You what?" Ginny was sure she had misheard.

"I filed it. And there's no need to look like that," he added catching her furious expression, "I specifically filed it under 'b' for baby so I wouldn't forget where I put it."

"You're very funny." She said sarcastically, "Now be serious. Tell me where you put him. Him by the way, not it."

In reply Draco leaned over to a nearby cabinet and pulled open the middle drawer which was already slightly open. Nestled inside between two large files and cushioned by Draco's black cloak was Jemmy. He was awake and fumbling happily with a small gold bracelet hung with little charms. Jem cooed and reached his little arms up when he saw Ginny and she ran forward and scooped him up.

She was white with fright and anger and, without looking at Draco again she strode out of the area and shouted: "Heather!"

The young woman appeared almost at once, concerned at the tone of her friend's voice.

"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"Can you take Jemmy for a little while please?" Ginny requested not meeting her eyes, not wanting to alarm her further with the look she would doubtless see there.

"Of course but…"

"Thank you." Ginny cut her off and then turned back into the cabinet room. "Mr Malfoy," she said crisply, "I'll meet you on the green above the city." Then she disapparated with a pop which to Draco's ears managed to sound just that little bit angrier than it should have.

Ginny stood high on the hill looking down at the town and breathing in slow, deep breaths to control her anger. The wind ruffled her ponytail and clothes and carried with it a sweet, warm smell which tried to tease her into a good mood. She was having none of it.

She heard the pop behind her signify Draco's arrival but she didn't turn around. Instead she waited for him to silently come to her side. They stood together for a long time until finally Ginny found her voice.

"You shouldn't have done that. Frighten me like that." She said quietly although Draco knew the calm was simply covering up a great well of feelings consisting mainly of anger and it's many synonyms. "You've messed around with my life ever since I met you and you've spread your cruelty and your determination to ruin things for everyone around all my friends but Jem is different. He's just a baby, he's never done anything to you and he's never likely to. Just leave him alone I'm only going to tell you this once."

"That was a lovely speech and completely accurate except for one thing. He's already done something to me." Draco pointed out, "He stole that gold charm bracelet I bought for-" he stopped abruptly and Ginny whirled to face him.

"Go on, you can say her name you know, I already know it after all."

"Bothers you, does it?" Draco asked, "To hear about her?"

Ginny glared at him and stepped forward, very frustrated at the fact that the early morning sun was still shining merrily and the meadow they stood upon was green and lush. Where were the rain clouds when she needed them? Where were the flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder to match her mood?

"You know it does, but only because you talking about her means that you are still talking!" Ginny snarled.

She was standing very close to him now, her chin tilted upwards so she could still look him in his steely grey eyes. Ginny hadn't meant to let herself get so near, near enough to start the little tingles in her stomach and the feeling that her whole body was magnetized towards him.

Realising she was treading in very dangerous waters she took a step back but was stopped moving away even further as Draco's right hand shot out and grasped her left. His fingers clutched hers tightly and pressed Dean's ring into his and her flesh.

"Don't…" he said and then closed his mouth, indicating that letting slip that word had been entirely unintentional.

She held his gaze with her own and, slowly, moved forward again. "What do you want?" she asked slowly and clearly. "Because I'm telling you Malfoy I'm not sure I can give it to you. You said before you wished you'd never met me? Well I can't change that. Still it's like you expect something from me."

He was completely silent but as she had spoken his thumb had started to gently rub across the skin of the hand he held.

"I'm going to ask you again Malfoy," She said ignoring the familiar thrill she was experiencing from having him touch her so tenderly again, "what do you want from me?"

"What do I want?" he spoke with a contemplative air as if it was the first time he'd thought about it. "Let's see, I want an Aero-star 500 broomstick, to be minister of magic and, oh yeah, I want the stuff I sometimes see going down in Argentina to stop, you think I'm cruel? You need to go travelling…"

"Stop, Malfoy just stop for one moment and think." Ginny reached up and gripped his chin with her free hand. Making sure their eyes were firmly locked she took a deep breath and tried again. "You've come back for something, now tell me what it is. What do you want?"

Ginny could tell immediately that she'd finally got through to him. He'd cracked. His veneer of cool couldn't take the pressure, his ice couldn't stand the heat he was now experiencing. Ginny had to forcibly stop herself backing away now she had him, the look he gave her was, putting it mildly, intense.

"What do I want?" he asked in a low but very disturbing tone. "What do I want?!" he shouted.

"Yes, what do you want?!" Ginny screamed right back.

Draco smirked and lifted up the hand which he was still holding. He held the tips of her fingers up and tilted her hand slowly so the diamonds in her engagement ring sparkled. He moved his eyes back up to hers and then; in one quick, fluid movement he pulled the ring from her finger.

Stepping away from her he pulled back his arm and then threw the engagement ring with all his might into the air removing his wand from his pocket as he did so.

"This is what I want!" he shouted and, as the glittering piece of jewellery began to fall, he whipped his wand round in a series of complicated movements and bellowed "Amoveo Tutishinc!"

The ring vanished.

Ginny screamed.

Not sure if that is considered a cliffie but I thought it was a cute end. If you're wondering about the spell Amoveo means "move" in Latin, Tutis means "safe/secure" and hinc means "place/area". So basically Draco moved Ginny's ring to a safe place. Gosh, I wonder where that could be!

Thank you for all the fantastic reviews, they were very nice Christmas presents indeed!

Rockon2680: Hmm this mystery thing is a new and exciting experience for me! Thank you for saying you love my reading my stories, I love reading your reviews so I guess we're even :)

Rutupatel: Oh I'm sorry you lost your friend but its nice you're keeping her memory alive in your mind with something. I'm glad I timed the chapter update appropriately so you could study for your exams in peace. I didn't mean for there to be all these unresolved questions and, as I know the answers, I keep being surprised that other people don't know! Thank you for reviewing.

Kittybro: Glad Jemmy has made such an impression on you. If you read this chapter carefully you can pick up a couple of hints about his parentage. Thank you for reviewing.

Depth of Soul: Wow you're such a sweetie, thank you for saying you loved the chapter and didn't mind about the wait. You can't see them getting it together again now? Draco seem just a little too bitter? We might have Lost in Oz but if we do I haven't seen it. Is Sawyer hot? If so I give you full leave to imagine him rather than Draco. Thank you for your lovely review :)

Nickel: I hope I haven't made you think of Colgan as a big tube of toothpaste now I've pointed it out! I'm so glad you liked Draco's last line, I was fairly keen on it myself. I wanted to put his hurt and bitterness out there and I think that line did the trick. Thank you for seeming to have the same frame of mind as me!

Dracolovesginny: Oh no, apologise to your brother from me and I hope you calmed down and didn't do your heart any damage! Probably by now you've found out when the 6th book is coming out but if you haven't it's July 16th next year. I can't wait! Dean isn't the baddie, he just happens to be in the wrong relationship with the wrong person! Thank you for your review and rest assures, I am alive!

Zuvalupa: Thank you for wishing me a merry Christmas I now impart unto you a happy new year! Also thanks for the olde worlde speech, and the review as a whole of course.

Charmed-Goddess-07: Oh no, you mistook me for one of those writers that start something and then never finish, sorry about that. I might let you in on some secrets or maybe I won't….actually of course I will otherwise there would be no point to this story! Thank you for your review, we did it!

Kermit: Well I think we all know that Ginny is a little bit confused. I hope this chapter quenches your longing for more, happy new year.

Lilblondeiy214: Oh I know, I don't strive to be like the books because that is impossible and the characters would never do the things I want them to do! It's fun stumbling across talent on here, isn't it? I'm not saying I'm one of those people but there are some that stick with you. Thank you for your review.

Devilgirllit: Thank you twice over, here is a nice little update for you!

Padfootedmoony: What makes you assume it was something Draco did to Ginny that made them break up…? I'm thinking next chapter will be a flashback, what do you think? Thank you for reviewing :)

Waterlili: Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed The Ultimatum and hope you like this one too.

Saemm: Another who is fascinated by Jemmy, I'm glad you're excited by my story. I have posted again fairly soon and thanks for saying you love it, it makes me all happy inside!

FNP: Yes you certainly did and for that you deserve kudos. Look at you thinking through all the possibilities of Jemmy's parentage! I'm not sneaky nor like JK but I'll take that as a compliment. I think more things will be cleared up in the next chapter. Thank you for your review, keep hold of your precious some nasty little hobbit has his eye on it.

Mereschino: Oh I liked that line too. Yeah I was going for bitter but slick is an extra bonus! Thank you for appreciating that line, you should start a club with Nickel!

LovingFanFics: Nope, no dropping going on here, sorry I alarmed you. Frankly I alarmed myself. Woah! I can't believe you like my story the best, that is so unbelievably nice of you to say…excuse me while I squeal for a few minutes…and you're excited to be reading the sequel? That's so sweet, I hope I live up to your expectations, now I'm freaked I won't! Here's another chapter for you although it doesn't explain much, I think next chapter will. I love you more, thank you!

Starrynight12312: Everyone can thank you for this chapter as you asked very nicely for an update before new year and I have to say that it appealed to me a lot. Here it is for you, before new year! Thank you for spurring me on.

Stormy Nights: Not fair? What isn't fair? That they're not together? As a hint for the answer to your question I'm going to say, I'm a sucker for happy endings. If that doesn't answer your question I don't know what will! Thank you for your review.

Nr2bookworm: Why does Draco have to be mean? I guess it's just his nature, and I have to say it amuses me as well. Well could you just forget someone like Malfoy, of course Ginny's sub conscious does a bit of yelling occasionally! It must be cool to go ice skating near Christmas, I've lived in England throughout my life so I know how a cold Christmas is. In some ways it is nicer to be cosy but at least here in Oz you can go to the beach or have an outside lunch at Christmas. Both hemispheres have their benefits I guess! Happy new year and thank you for reviewing.

Sunlitmist: Hmm, why did I choose Dean? Good question. I think because I always liked him as a character and because the majority of my cousins go for Westham and after my beautiful Liverpool boys I go for them too. Yeah I think mainly I just wanted to slip football references in! Thank you for reviewing and making me think about my choice of character!

LilliannaRose: Don't die of curiosity, you're a fantastic reviewer, I wanna keep you! Here I didn't take too long to update although there is still a fair amount of mystery. Next chapter will help clear things up, I promise. Thank you for reviewing.

Oh and one last thing, I saw The Phantom of the Opera last night. Wow! It seems as though I've found my favourite movie of 2004 in the dying days of the year! Go, run forth and see it!

Happy New Year

Love Jess/star123