Chapter Two: Fashion Shows, Moms and Proposals?

"Ginny! This robe is all wrong!"

"Ginny! Where are the extra robes stored?"

Um, hey Ginny, the chief editor wants to speak to you."

"Hey Ginny! We're missing a robe over here."

"Everyone! Shut up! I will help one person at a time!" Ginny yelled which made everyone shut up right away and continue what they were doing in silence. Ginny had a god awful headache this morning and would love nothing more than to curl up and fall asleep. This was what she expected though. After all, it was the day of the big fashion show and things wouldn't be normal if it wasn't crazy!

"Okay um, Carla, the reason why the robe is all wrong is because it's on backwards," Ginny pointed out and then ran to the next person that needed help. "The extra robes are stored in the back room and on the top shelf Corey!" she called from the others side of the room to the person that need the jeans. Ok next, "The shirt to that outfit is in with the shoes for some reason Angel." Wow anymore questions? Ginny thought. "And Simon?"

"Yes doll," called Simon.

"Where is the chief editor?"

"He's waiting"-

"No need Simon. I just let myself in," said a big bulky man in a cashmere sweater and leather pants.

"Milo! Doll! Over here! I can't believe you're here!" yelled Ginny happily and running up to him to give him a hug. Milo was the best in the fashion business and he was the one that got Ginny into this whole business when she was selling her designs in Diagon Alley off of a little cart. He seen her, loved her designs and clothes and then boom! She was a fashion designer, known across the wizarding world and loved by many.

"Ginny, darling. Are you ready for the show? I'm looking forward to it. You are the youngest designer in the country. I mean, you're 22 and already known worldwide and have your own store in the states!" he exclaimed.

"Of course I'm ready! I was born ready!"

"Ok then. I hope to see you after the show then. Break a leg darling."

"Watch what you say! I might literally break a leg!" said Ginny walking off and getting the models in a line to walk on the runway. "5 minutes ladies! Get out here!"

She got them in line order and sent them out one at a time to walk and then pose and then walk off again. She sent them all out till all her clothes were modeled and all the pictures had been taken. She then got the whole group together after the show and all the VIPs that attended and took a big group picture for the newspaper. She posed and gave interviews then posed some more till she was pooped out. She walked around and talked to guests and took in all the positive compliments and smiled and waved and then, she saw a familiar face in the crowd.

"Darren! I thought you weren't going to make it?" she said happily.

"I didn't miss the show?" asked Darren even though he knew that wasn't what she meant by 'making it'.

"Well you missed the show," Ginny said smiling, "but I thought you weren't coming at all!"

"Well I can't stay long; I just came to see how things were going and remind you about tonight."

"Tonight? What's tonight?" asked Ginny, obviously confused.

"I knew you would forget, that's why I came to remind you. Remember my grandfather's retirement dinner party and then tea with my mum?"

"Tea with your mum?" yelled Ginny. "I thought it was just your granddad's retirement party!" Ginny didn't particularly like Darren's mother because she was to rich and preferred things just the way she wanted them to be and no other way. Darren's mom was none other than Rita Skeeter. She kept her maiden name because she thought Fudge was a corny last name and she hated her last husband.

"Yes, that was a little thing I forgot to mention in the letter I suppose."

"You suppose?"

"Well whatya know? Time for me to get back to work. I'll pick you up tonight love," Darren said pecking Ginny lightly on the cheek.

"Ok whatever. Love you."

And with that, he left her. She knew he was the next 'One'.

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Joe opened the limo door so Ginny could get in to meet Darren at La Perez's for the retirement party.

"We need to make a quick stop," said Joe turning the opposite direction of La Perez.

"Where are we going?" asked Ginny straightening her hair in her pocket mirror.

"Curiosity killed the cat, Ginny. Darren told me to take you to meet him someplace else. He was going to be a little late."

They drove for about 5 more minutes in silence and came to a stop at a dark, brick building.

Joe opened the door and Ginny stepped out and looked around carefully. "Where are we Joe?"

But Joe ignored her and said, "Follow me my dear."

He opened the door to the building and took her up a flight of stairs only to find Darren at the top of the steps in his black dress robe. He looked ravishing. All Ginny was wearing was an old Burgundy robe. One of her earliest designs actually.

"I was thinking," he said when he met her at the top of the steps and he walked off holding her hand. "200, maybe 300 guest tops."

"What?" asked Ginny, confused, "Oh? For Christmas? Darren, that's 6 months away! Why are you worrying about it now?"

But Darren started to ignore her just like Joe was. "Lillies or roses? I was thinking roses but I guess that's up to the woman huh?"

"Darren. Are you ok? You're acting crazy!"

Darren led her down another corridor until they reached a door. "So yes or no?" he asked simply.

"For Christmas?"

Darren just smiled and opened the door to reveal a dark room.

"Darren, what's going on? Turn on the lights!"

"You heard the girl Joe. Turn on the lights!" Darren said happily.

Ginny didn't get a chance to ask why Darren was acting so weird again because one the lights turned on, Ginny's breath was taken away. In the room was loads of jewelry. Not just any jewelry, diamond rings…engagement rings…

"Darren. What's happening?" she asked lightly, still staring wide eyed at the rings.

"So, have you made your decision yet?" he asked, still smiling at her and giving her hand a squeeze.

"Darren, I can't, I don't, I mean it's really complicated." She stuttered still staring at the rings.

"Ginny, I would never ask something that I didn't already know the answer to. So will you? I love you Ginny. With all my heart. I want to marry you and hold you and be with you till I die," Darren went on. He honestly had a way with words.

Ginny thought another 5 seconds before she smiled down at him and said, "Yes Darren. I love you too."

Darren had on the brightest smile she ever saw and he got down on one knee and kissed her hand and then, it was like he couldn't stay still for a long time because then he got back up off his knee in a flash and gave her a huge hug then ran around in a circle, still holding on to Ginny's hand.

"Well pick out your ring already!" he exclaimed happily.

"I get to pick it out?"

"Of course!" Darren said and then started to make upward hand motions. She didn't get what he was doing until she noticed that behind the counters of rings, were workers that brought out all the rings after Darren made that certain hand motion. "Pick one my dear."

After 15 minutes of comparing and picking and comparing some more, she finally chose a ring that suited her best.

Darren paid as she examined her newest purchase and grabbed Darren's arm once he was done and they left.

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The retirement party was interesting. Cornelius Fudge said a few words, they ate, they joked, and they left.

The couple got into the limo only to start making out, yet again, for the millionth time that day.

"So should I tell my mom about us or do you want to?" asked Darren pushing away from Ginny's kisses.

"About that… I don't think we should tell her." Ginny said unhappily.

"Ginny, we have to tell her! She's my mum for god's sake!"

"Well I mean, we'll tell her, just not yet. I need to take care of a few things first then we can both tell her together. I promise."

Darren reached for her ring finger and turned the diamond so it looked like she was just wearing a plain gold ring. "Whatever you want darling, but we will tell her."

"I know, and I respect that." Ginny smiled brightly at him and they started kissing again till they got to Rita's place, which was covered by reporters which wasn't a surprise.

Joe opened the door and let the couple out as Darren took Ginny's hand and walked through the reporters.

"How does it feel to be going out with one of the next 'big ones' Ginny?" shouted a reporter shoving a microphone in Ginny's face.

"Mr. Fudge? Is it true you guys are getting married?" shouted another one.

"Is it true you guys are already married and that you eloped?"

"Mr. Fudge? When are you planning to retire from the Ministry of Magic?"

"Does it matter when I retire?" shouted Darren above the crowd. "I just started yesterday for god's sake!"

But the reporters continued asking.

"Ginny, rumors say that you're going into making muggle clothes. Is this true?"

"Just ignore them honey," Darren said whispering it in Ginny's ear so no one else could hear it. He took her arm and they rushed to the front door, barely dodging a flying microphone. He banged on the door and Rita came rushing for it.

"Ginny, darling, how are you?" Rita asked hugging the young woman carefully and grabbing her hands. She examined Ginny's face and when she pulled her hands away, she felt something rough and rigid on Ginny's ring finger on her left hand so she grabbed the hand and turned it over. She stared at the diamond for a while, not knowing what to think for sure and looked up at Ginny's face. Ginny's expression was horrified as she to was looking down at the diamond wide eyed and mouth agape.

"Darren, it seems Ginny has a very important ring on a very important finger…" Rita said lightly so the reporters couldn't hear. Ginny was still staring down at her ring, still horrified so Darren spoke.

"Um, mum, about that…" he said finally.

"How could you? I can't believe you're ENGAGED!" she yelled angrily as a huge hoard of reporters took loads of photos of the scene before them.

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"So, what are you going to do about the whole Darren's mum thing?" asked Michelle the next morning. She and Ginny were talking over the fireplace.

"Well I'm not really sure. I wanted to wait till I took care of a few things first but now that it's out, it's out." Ginny replied.

"Well do you want to come over and have some tea so we can talk about a few things and maybe you'll feel better."

"I can't, I'm at the Burrow."

"You're where?"

"At the Burrow. My house. My parents aren't home so I decide to use their fireplace and then floo to Draco's." said Ginny.

"Draco? Who's Draco?"

"My ex. I told you about him."

"Why are you going to Draco's?" asked Michelle.

"Well Michelle, let's just say there are a fey things that I haven't told you about my life," and with that she left and yelled "Draco and Ginny's place!" then stepped into the fire.

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