A/N: Hello again! I know, I know – I need to update quicker! Hehehe. I am really trying to get back on track now. I am giving a note to everyone though – I REALLY appreciate all of your notes and reviews, especially when I get stuck like this! You guys are WONDERFUL!
Kara- you are absolutely right to bring up the estate and all that stuff. I'm going to bring that back, I was just getting so stuck! But, you pointing that out really did help guide me back on track! Thanks so much!
rani singala – welcome:) I'm glad you like the story! Yes, Draco is a bit out of character, but I hope that it's not too bad!
Slymom- Welcome and thanks for the note! Yeah- we'll see what Josephine does:)
Starinthenight – Thank you so much for all your reviews! You have been with me throughout the whole thing:)
DarkPrincessPyro99 – Thanks! I hope this chapter goes well!
Emma – I know, I know! I'm trying to update faster now! ;)
A few days later, after Draco and Blaise settled themselves in an apartment in town (ok – it was really the whole building of 3 floors of flats), Mrs. Gilbert invited the couples to her house for dinner. Although Mrs. Gilbert was not of such a close acquaintance as Hermione and Ginny with Draco, she didn't see any reason why she could not have him over to dinner. She had lived her longer than him, right?
Thankfully, Draco, Blaise and Mrs. Gilbert got along wonderfully. She had cooked a meal of lentil soup, Caesar salad, stuffed pheasant, boiled corn and squash. It turned out that Draco loved stuffed pheasant and Blaise declared her food the best he had ever taken. This made Mrs. Gilbert blush with pleasure and fawn over the boys more.
"I had been a bit nervous because I'm sure you are used to house elves cooking, but I really enjoy cooking and don't think I'm too bad at it either!" she declared.
As the meal was drawing to a close, a knock sounded on the door.
"Oh!" Mrs. Gilbert exclaimed. "Excuse me! I can't imagine who that could be!" She scooted her chair back and got up from the table. "Hermione, Ginny? Would you two be such dears and bring out the coffee and cake? It's on the kitchen counter."
"Yes, Mrs. Gilbert." The girls chimed together.
Mrs. Gilbert left the dinning room and toward her front door. She loved her house. It was much longer than most so you could sit in the dining room or parlour and have an excellent view of the street. Mrs. Gilbert loved the idea that anyone walking by that evening would have seen her dinning with such famous company. As she came to the door, Mrs. Gilbert frowned. She had excellent perception and it didn't feel as if anyone she knew was on the other side. As a side thought, she took her wand before opening the door.
"Yes, can I help you?" Mrs. Gilbert asked, opening the door.
Before her stood one of the most striking women that she had ever seen. Everything about her screamed pure-blood and money. She held her head up very high and was obviously very confident with herself. At the same time, she was looking at Mrs. Gilbert and her home with a kind of distain as if she was superior. Mrs. Gilbert decided that she did not like her immediately. She blinked her eyes impatiently.
"I am here to see Lord Malfoy." The woman declared.
"And who may you be and why would you like to see Mister Malfoy?" Mrs. Gilbert asked in an equally haughty tone. The woman looked indignant.
"Excuse me? Who are you to ask what my intentions are? I am here to see Lord Malfoy and that is all you need to know." She began to move pass Mrs. Gilbert. "Now, move out of my way and announce me!"
"You look here, dearie." Mrs. Gilbert was enraged. "Mister Malfoy is in my house, enjoying a dinner for him and his friends and if you need to talk with him, you will need to announce who you are and what your business is!"
"I will do no such thing! I am Josephine Baker, his fiancé, and I do NOT need to explain anything to you."
"Josephine Baker! Well, I have heard plenty about you Ms. Baker – and not just from Draco." Mrs. Gilbert grabbed the local paper. "Here!" she said, shoving the paper in Josephine's hands. Josephine looked down and saw herself on the cover of the paper with her skin blue, due to another mishap at the estate. She went pale.
"Now," Mrs. Gilbert continued, "I know that you are not Mister Malfoy's fiancé. If you would like to talk with him, you can wait until we are finished here!"
"I…" Josephine was still in shock over the photo, but quickly recovered. "I am not moving from this room until I see Draco!"
"As you wish," Mrs. Gilbert said, drawing her wand. Before Josephine could react, Mrs. Gilbert shrunk Josephine and the newspaper to the size of a mouse. As she screamed in Mrs. Gilbert's hand it sounded like squeaks of a wheel. Mrs. Gilbert quickly dumped out some flowers and dropped Josephine in the long vase. As Josephine pounded against the glass, screaming, Mrs. Gilbert calmly left the room.
When she came back to the room, looking triumphant, she found Hermione, Draco, Ginny and Blaise looking anxiously at her.
"Mrs. Gilbert, are you ok? It sounded like you were arguing with someone!" Ginny asked, worried.
"Yes, but everything was settled!" Mrs. Gilbert sat down and poured herself and cup of coffee. "I swear, some people can be so pushy!"
"Is there anything that we can do to help you?" Blaise asked. "Put charms around the door, or anything?"
"You are such a sweet boy! But, no, I really am good. I think I gave them a bit more than what they asked for!" Mrs. Gilbert chuckled, but would not reveal any more information.
"Well, Mrs. Gilbert, this has been a wonderful evening." Draco said, standing up from the couch in the parlour. The party had adjourned there for more tea and sweets that Hermione had bought before arriving. "I am very sorry to say however that we must say our good-byes."
Mrs. Gilbert yawned. "Well, it has been quite a night!" She stood up and came over to Draco and took his hand. "It really has been such a pleasure to have all of you come. I do hope that you will come again soon."
"Yes, Mrs. Gilbert." Draco smiled. "I do not think you could keep Blaise away from your cooking!" He leaned over to kiss her check. She blushed.
"Mrs. Gilbert, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself tonight." Blaise came over and put his arm around her. "I hope that while we are in town you will also visit us often!"
"Oh course! I would love to come by, when I am invited that is."
"We will invite you very soon for a dinner of our own! Perhaps I will even get Draco to cook a bit!" Draco looked a bit startled, but relaxed when he realized it was a joke.
"I'll walk out with you, Draco." Hermione quickly said. She turned to Mrs. Gilbert. "I think your night was a great success! Thank you so much for everything," she gave Mrs. Gilbert a hug and kiss and turned toward the door. Mrs. Gilbert waved them out.
"It was my pleasure! Please come again soon!"
As the four went through the door, they didn't notice a fuming miniature Josephine in the hall. They heard what sounded like a squeaking, but nothing more. A few minutes after their exit, Draco came back in through the door, followed by Hermione.
"Shhhh! I can't believe you forgot your gloves!" Hermione whispered to Draco.
Draco quickly looked around for his missing gloves. "Here they are!"
"Shhhh! Mrs. Gilbert will hear you! She probably went straight to bed after such an evening!" Hermione stopped. "What?"
"Do you think she'll hear this?" Draco took Hermione's face in his hands and kissed her softly and deeply.
"Mmmmmm." Hermione breathed. Then, she snapped out of it. "Ok, come on, you still have to bring me home!"
"Yes, mademoiselle!" Draco took her arm and they walked outside again. And left a very shocked, very cold, very small Josephine in the entry to Mrs. Gilbert's house.
Ok, I hope you enjoyed! I actually already have an idea for the next chapter, so I will try to update again before the weekend! Please review and let me know what you think!