Chapter 4Bullies and Bridesmaids
I wake up the next morning feeling unrested. I had fallen asleep easy enough, convincing myself to be happy for Harry and his new life, until my brain gave way and I fell into a shallow slumber. I dreamt I was in my mum and dad's backyard at Harry's wedding. The sky was beautiful and clear as the birds sang what oddly sounded like "I Honestly Love You" by Olivia Newton John. It was the perfect day for a wedding. I sat at the front row, my crying mother to my right and Nicole on my left. I smile widely at Harry and Kate as they stood in front of us.
I'm about to nudge Nicole when I feel a soft tug on my sleeve. I look down and for a second, I think I'm looking at a mini-Harry. When I get a closer look, I see that mini Harry has brown eyes instead of green. I look up at his forehead and find no scar. Suddenly, he speaks to me with a very strong lisp.
"Auntie Ginny, I want candy!" the small boy whined. I look at him with much bewilderment as I feel a tug on my opposite sleeve. I quickly look over to find a miniature Kate with jet black hair and Harry's unmistakable nose.
"Auntie Ginny, I want to play!" she demands. Confused, I look up at Harry and Kate for answers. To my surprise, thousands more little children are surrounding them, each one screaming a different command. Through the squeals and shouts, they continue to smile like idiots at each other. I open my mouth to shout at them when I feel a strong tug on my sleeve once more. I look down at the first little boy, who is looking at me with a tearful expression.
"Why do you hate me?" he asks, his small hands never leaving my arm.
"What?" I hear my voice echo unnaturally.
"I'm not even born yet." He returns.
The next thing I know, I'm starting up at my ceiling, tangled in my own bedcovers. The sunlight spills into my room as my alarm clock shows 11:00. I groan as I turn over and hide my head underneath my pillow.
I don't want to face today.
The memory of the letter I received from Harry last night slowly creeps back into my mind; I crawl only deeper underneath the covers. I could already predict what Harry was going to say. That the night they spent together was a mistake. Well, it didn't feel like it to me. From the memories I could scrape together, though blurred, made a connection. That Harry and I are perf-
I need to stop.
Whatever Harry was going to tell me, he would be right. He was always right. I'm going to get out of this bed and face today like a woman. I'm not 17 year old Ginny anymore; I'm a grown woman who isn't going to hide from problems underneath her pillow. I bolt straight up and swing my legs over the side of my bed but feel myself crumble once more as I fall back onto my bed.
Oh, I want my mommy.
"Ginny? Are you awake?" I hear Nicole's voice call from the other side of my door.
"Yeah." I say in return, my voice still sounding weak.
"Are you hungry?" she asks, opening the door and peaking in. "I have breakfast made if you're hungry."
Without saying anything, I get up and swing my arms around Nicole's neck. I feel her arms snake around my waist.
"You'll be fine." She reassures me without asking what's wrong. Don't you love best friends?
"I don't want to hear what Harry has to say to me. I just want to be 13 again and in love with him with no worries and no Kate." I tell her in a whiney, childish voice.
"Well, now you're 22 and a strong, independent woman. You can face him; you're just worrying about it too much." She says as we part and I look at her.
"I'm pathetic, aren't I?" I ask remorsefully.
"No, you're not. Your hungry and you need a nice breakfast in your stomach." She tells me and swings me out of my room and into the kitchen where my break feast sat on the table. I try to eat but everything felt dry and tasteless in my mouth. I feel her worried gaze resting on me but I kept mine narrowed on my now cold scrambled eggs.
When I finished eating most of my breakfast, it was already 12:24. Time seemed to be rolling by too quickly. As I put my plate into our sink and with a flick of my wand, the plate is wiped clean. "If you need me, I'll be taking a bath. I need to calm myself before I see Harry." I tell Nicole and head out of the kitchen.
"Don't drown." She replies after me. I smirk as I close the door and turn the water on.
I spend most of my time in that bath tub. Essence of jasmine hung in the air as a couple dozen candles are lit around me. I sigh in contentment, allowing myself to breath in the scent, and relax. I was going to be fine. I wasn't going to digress back to the same Ginny I knew at Hogwarts. I was going to grow up and accept whatever he says and live on.
It's just a high school crush.
---
Before I knew it, it was time to leave. After quick pep-talk with Nicole, I was out the door and apparated to the front entrance of Hogsmeade. The streets were as busy as ever as I began my journey through the crowds to The Three Broomsticks. I look over at my shoulder to see Hogwarts, standing proudly over the small wizarding city. I felt pride build up in my chest as I watched the building for a few seconds, thinking of the days when my friends and I would rush down here for a butter beer or to search Zonko's joke store for the newest toys.
Slamming into someone's shoulder brought me back to reality. "Watch it!" said a cold voice and I caught a small glimpse of the stranger's strikingly blonde hair.
No.
No, no, no! Not right now!
I turn on my heal and come face to face with an aged Draco Malfoy. His familiar sneer was evident on his face as he looked from my designer boots to brand new cloak. I reached into my pocket and grasped the handle of my wand.
"Well, well, well ... seems I've found a weasel." He laughed harshly. I felt my grip on my wand tighten. "Tell me, weasel, did you knick those clothes all by yourself or did your brother's help you?" he adds
"You better watch your step, Malfoy. I'm not the same little Weasley I use to-"
"Are you threatening me?" He said, taking a step forward. I feel his hot breath on my face but I did not move a muscle. "You know, I'm a very powerful wizard around here and if you don't watch your step ..." he trailed off, "Well, I'll let you guess."
"Ginny?" I look over my shoulder and find Harry walking towards us. His gaze flickers on me but comes to rest on Draco. "Well, Draco, fancy meeting you here. I thought you sent your butlers down here to shop."
"Famous Potter, as usual, saving the day I expect? I just decided to say hello to your little girlfriend. Well, good day." He said with a tone of sarcasm, turned his heal, and walked straight into the busy crowd.
"Why were you talking to that over grown git?" Harry said with disgust, watching Draco disappear into the crowd of mid-day shoppers.
"I have no idea." I say and turn to Harry. "Come on, let's go in before he comes back," I say with a smile and we begin our way into The Three Broomsticks.
Madam Rosmerta greeted us with her usual smile and sat us down at a table near the back. I could tell Harry was as nervous as I was; he kept his head down and kept twisting a napkin in his hand. It was always hard for him to make eye contact when he felt nervous. When our butter beers were placed in front of us, I took charge and spoke first.
"Oh, I never said congratulations about the engagement and baby." I say politely, continuing to watch him play with the napkin.
"Oh, well, erm, thanks. It surprised me at first, the whole baby thing. We were always careful but I guess it happens." He glances up at me quickly and I catch a glimpse of his green eyes.
My god, I could drown in them.
"And the marriage, of course. I'm sure you two are going to be ... very happy together." I force myself to say and take a deep swig of my drink. Harry's glass remains untouched.
"Yeah, I really like her and everything. I just want what's best for the baby, you know." He says, he finally puts the napkin on the table and inhales deeply. "That's what I kind of wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh," I tried to sound like I wasn't expecting it, "I see. Please continue."
"We want the wedding in 3 months. Kate isn't very far along and we wanted to give ourselves enough time to get settled ... for the baby and everything." He pauses, waiting for me to reply but instead I take another swig of my drink. "We're going to try to have a small wedding, most likely in your parent's backyard and you see erm ... well, Kate's best friend is going to be on vacation in the states and will have to miss the wedding."
"Oh, that's a shame." I say, while secretly thinking, 'HA!'
"Kate doesn't know a lot of people around here and she was wondering who can be her maid of honor." He says and looks at me with pleading eyes, "and so, naturally, I suggested you."
WHAT!?
"I know you two don't really get along, but it would be doing me a huge favor. Ron's already my best man and I couldn't think of anyone else but you."
WHAT!?
"It's just for three months and you get to wear a dress and be apart of my wedding and everything." He says to me and takes a big breath for his final plea. "So Ginny, will you be Kate's Maid of Honor?"
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.
No, no way, I can't be the maid of honor for that ... that ... cow!
"Harry, I would love to." I hear myself say. I huge grin takes over Harry's face as he moves across the table and wraps me in his arms. I melt into him, wishing never to leave this spot.
"You're the best Ginny." He says into my hair and I feel my knees slightly buckle. He pulls away, still smiling warmly, and looks at his watch. "Damn it, I have to go. I promised Kate I would meet her and her parents for a cup of tea. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear the good news. I'll see you around." He quickly gives me a peck on the cheek and darts out the door.
I fall back into the chair and finish my drink. A million thoughts are still swimming in my head as I head back to the flat. Meanwhile, I have a horrible image of me in a sea foam green dress, standing next to Kate who looks immaculate. If it was anybody else, I would've said no and be done with it but this is Harry and his happiness. If I can't be the one making him happy for the rest of his life, I can at least help.
As I open the door, I see Nicole sitting on the edge of sofa: Looking as if she had been waiting for me for quite a while.
"So?" she asks before I could take a step into the flat.
"So, what?" I inquire in return, knowing what she wanted to know but felt like playing hard to get.
"What did he want to talk about?" she says and I feel her eyes on the back of my head as I hang up my coat.
"Nothing really, we talked about Kate, and the baby, and the wedding, and-"
"Get to the point or I'll hex you so bad, your mother won't be able to recognize her." Nicole threatens playfully. I smile in return as I hop over the back of the couch and sit next to her.
"He asked me to be Kate's Maid of Honor." I tell her and Nicole squeals in return.
"Are you serious? Well, that's ... interesting, I guess." She says with a smile and looks back at the TV. 'Coupling' was now on but was muted.
"It's bloody insane. It's like putting a lamb out for slaughter. 10 pounds she'll make me wear the ugliest dress just to humiliate me a little more." I say and put my head into Nicole's lap, allowing her to run her fingers through my hair.
"Well, I doubt she knows about your night with Harry. So, you can't label this as revenge. Maybe he just wanted you to be in the wedding." She shrugs, continuing to stare at the TV.
"Maybe, but all I know right now is that I want a large slice of my mother's apple crumb pie." I say, getting up and moving into the kitchen.
"Don't eat too much; we have that business meeting tonight. We're meeting our new editor." She yells at me and I hear the TV's sound come back on.
"Damn it, that's right." I mutter to myself as I reach into the fridge. Before we left New York, our old editors told us about a dinner party we were going to attend within the first week of living in London. I hate Dinner parties, everybody is too nervous about making a good first impression to eat. You don't want to act like a pig when you eat with your boss, now do you?
Nicole and I spend the rest of the afternoon watching a 'Coupling' marathon. Around 5, we unglue ourselves from the couch and to get ready. We left around 6:30 and hopped in a cab to the mansion where the party was going to be held. I looked down at the invitation, giving us directions, and it doesn't give us a name or anything. For the past few weeks, the identity of the new editor has remained a secret. Usually I just shrugged it off, whatever poor sap who was coaxed into the position must not be proud of it. It doesn't matter to me so long as I get my pay check every other week, I will remain a happy employee.
Our taxi arrives at a huge, lavish mansion incrusted with dancing fairy lights. From the front lawn, I can hear music playing and people laughing.
"Wow, somebody pulled out all the stops to welcome us." Nicole says in awe as we climb the front steps.
"Or just trying to show off," I return.
As we enter the house, a butler takes our coats and a waiter passes by with a tray full of champagne. Nicole and I, with champagne in hand, begin to wander around the party. We recognize a few people from the New York branch but there seems to be a vast amount of people who I've never seen before.
"Financial backers." Linda Grant tells us, relationship specialist and gossip queen of Cosmo Witch. "They needed a lot of money to get this project of the ground." She tells us smugly and wanders off to find others to tell. Nicole and I find vacant chairs on the side of the room and sit in them, observing the party from afar. I'm about to get up to get another glass of champagne when I hear a voice that pulls me back into my seat.
"Ginny?" I hear and turn my head towards the direction of in which it came from. I find Harry in his very best emerald green dress robes. I feel my breath escape me as he comes over with a smile on his face.
"Harry! What are you doing here?" I ask, standing up and I am taken into another one of his embraces.
I love these.
"I'm so glad I found you. Kate's father is a financial backer for the magazine." He grins at me and turns to look at Nicole. "Hey Nicole, glad to see you here."
"Cheers" Nicole smirks and I see a slight flicker of a wink.
"Where's Kate?" I ask, though at the moment, with Harry's arms around me, I could care less.
"Her father stole her away to meet your new editor." He says and takes a step back, taking a swig of his own glass of champagne.
"Do you know our new editor as well? Ginny and I still don't know who he is!" Nicole chimes in.
"Not a clue, sorry. I didn't even know Kate's father was involved with this until I had that cup of tea with him this afternoon." Harry explains and we are interrupted by the herds of people moving from the ballroom into another room. "I guess Dinners ready. Shall I escort you two ladies?" he says, holding his arms out for each of us. Nicole and I exchange looks and laugh as we loop our arms through each of his arms.
Dinner is being held in the largest dining room that would put the kitchen at the Burrow to shame. Everybody takes their seats and Harry leaves us to take his place next to Kate. Everybody continues to chat but we are soon interrupted once again by an elderly man standing up at the head of the table. Everybody is silenced as the man grins warmly.
"Hello and welcome all Cosmo Witch employees and guests. I am Mr. Luke Sernesky and I am head of the London division of Cosmo witch. I wish a warm welcome to everybody, London natives and new residents." He says and everybody begins to clap politely. "I would like to extend a hand of gratitude and recognize all who helped financially. Mr. Dave Hansen." A man maybe in his mid-forties stands up and everybody politely applauds again. "Miss Joanna Newman" the man sits down and a woman in a cream colored suit stands and waves.
One after one, Mr. Sernesky names of a different person. Meanwhile, I'm searching the table for Harry. As he announces, "Miss Jasmine Dixon," I spot Harry sitting next to Kate. As to be suspected, Kate is drenched in jewels as she sits next to an elderly man I could only guess as her father. My suspicions are proved true when Mr. Sernesky announces, "Mr. Alan Oliver." I see him stand up and watch as Kate enthusiastically claps for her father. Finally, after announcing the final person, "Miss Lauren Marcilla," Mr. Sernesky moves on.
"And on a final note, I would like to introduce the editor of this fine magazine, Mr. Draco Malfoy."
I nearly spat out my champagne when I hear his name. I see a tall, blonde figure stand up on the other side of the table. As Malfoy smirks at everybody, I notice he's dressed in the finest deep red dress robe I've seen in ages. "Now, let's eat." Mr. Sernesky announces and food magically appears in front of all of us, filling our once empty plates. I look at the food but I instantly feel sick.
Malfoy is my editor?
When will this day end?
Edited: Just a quick note, this story is still HP/GW. I'm just throwing Draco in there for a little fun : ). This story WILL NOT turn into DM/GW! Thanks!
I wake up the next morning feeling unrested. I had fallen asleep easy enough, convincing myself to be happy for Harry and his new life, until my brain gave way and I fell into a shallow slumber. I dreamt I was in my mum and dad's backyard at Harry's wedding. The sky was beautiful and clear as the birds sang what oddly sounded like "I Honestly Love You" by Olivia Newton John. It was the perfect day for a wedding. I sat at the front row, my crying mother to my right and Nicole on my left. I smile widely at Harry and Kate as they stood in front of us.
I'm about to nudge Nicole when I feel a soft tug on my sleeve. I look down and for a second, I think I'm looking at a mini-Harry. When I get a closer look, I see that mini Harry has brown eyes instead of green. I look up at his forehead and find no scar. Suddenly, he speaks to me with a very strong lisp.
"Auntie Ginny, I want candy!" the small boy whined. I look at him with much bewilderment as I feel a tug on my opposite sleeve. I quickly look over to find a miniature Kate with jet black hair and Harry's unmistakable nose.
"Auntie Ginny, I want to play!" she demands. Confused, I look up at Harry and Kate for answers. To my surprise, thousands more little children are surrounding them, each one screaming a different command. Through the squeals and shouts, they continue to smile like idiots at each other. I open my mouth to shout at them when I feel a strong tug on my sleeve once more. I look down at the first little boy, who is looking at me with a tearful expression.
"Why do you hate me?" he asks, his small hands never leaving my arm.
"What?" I hear my voice echo unnaturally.
"I'm not even born yet." He returns.
The next thing I know, I'm starting up at my ceiling, tangled in my own bedcovers. The sunlight spills into my room as my alarm clock shows 11:00. I groan as I turn over and hide my head underneath my pillow.
I don't want to face today.
The memory of the letter I received from Harry last night slowly creeps back into my mind; I crawl only deeper underneath the covers. I could already predict what Harry was going to say. That the night they spent together was a mistake. Well, it didn't feel like it to me. From the memories I could scrape together, though blurred, made a connection. That Harry and I are perf-
I need to stop.
Whatever Harry was going to tell me, he would be right. He was always right. I'm going to get out of this bed and face today like a woman. I'm not 17 year old Ginny anymore; I'm a grown woman who isn't going to hide from problems underneath her pillow. I bolt straight up and swing my legs over the side of my bed but feel myself crumble once more as I fall back onto my bed.
Oh, I want my mommy.
"Ginny? Are you awake?" I hear Nicole's voice call from the other side of my door.
"Yeah." I say in return, my voice still sounding weak.
"Are you hungry?" she asks, opening the door and peaking in. "I have breakfast made if you're hungry."
Without saying anything, I get up and swing my arms around Nicole's neck. I feel her arms snake around my waist.
"You'll be fine." She reassures me without asking what's wrong. Don't you love best friends?
"I don't want to hear what Harry has to say to me. I just want to be 13 again and in love with him with no worries and no Kate." I tell her in a whiney, childish voice.
"Well, now you're 22 and a strong, independent woman. You can face him; you're just worrying about it too much." She says as we part and I look at her.
"I'm pathetic, aren't I?" I ask remorsefully.
"No, you're not. Your hungry and you need a nice breakfast in your stomach." She tells me and swings me out of my room and into the kitchen where my break feast sat on the table. I try to eat but everything felt dry and tasteless in my mouth. I feel her worried gaze resting on me but I kept mine narrowed on my now cold scrambled eggs.
When I finished eating most of my breakfast, it was already 12:24. Time seemed to be rolling by too quickly. As I put my plate into our sink and with a flick of my wand, the plate is wiped clean. "If you need me, I'll be taking a bath. I need to calm myself before I see Harry." I tell Nicole and head out of the kitchen.
"Don't drown." She replies after me. I smirk as I close the door and turn the water on.
I spend most of my time in that bath tub. Essence of jasmine hung in the air as a couple dozen candles are lit around me. I sigh in contentment, allowing myself to breath in the scent, and relax. I was going to be fine. I wasn't going to digress back to the same Ginny I knew at Hogwarts. I was going to grow up and accept whatever he says and live on.
It's just a high school crush.
---
Before I knew it, it was time to leave. After quick pep-talk with Nicole, I was out the door and apparated to the front entrance of Hogsmeade. The streets were as busy as ever as I began my journey through the crowds to The Three Broomsticks. I look over at my shoulder to see Hogwarts, standing proudly over the small wizarding city. I felt pride build up in my chest as I watched the building for a few seconds, thinking of the days when my friends and I would rush down here for a butter beer or to search Zonko's joke store for the newest toys.
Slamming into someone's shoulder brought me back to reality. "Watch it!" said a cold voice and I caught a small glimpse of the stranger's strikingly blonde hair.
No.
No, no, no! Not right now!
I turn on my heal and come face to face with an aged Draco Malfoy. His familiar sneer was evident on his face as he looked from my designer boots to brand new cloak. I reached into my pocket and grasped the handle of my wand.
"Well, well, well ... seems I've found a weasel." He laughed harshly. I felt my grip on my wand tighten. "Tell me, weasel, did you knick those clothes all by yourself or did your brother's help you?" he adds
"You better watch your step, Malfoy. I'm not the same little Weasley I use to-"
"Are you threatening me?" He said, taking a step forward. I feel his hot breath on my face but I did not move a muscle. "You know, I'm a very powerful wizard around here and if you don't watch your step ..." he trailed off, "Well, I'll let you guess."
"Ginny?" I look over my shoulder and find Harry walking towards us. His gaze flickers on me but comes to rest on Draco. "Well, Draco, fancy meeting you here. I thought you sent your butlers down here to shop."
"Famous Potter, as usual, saving the day I expect? I just decided to say hello to your little girlfriend. Well, good day." He said with a tone of sarcasm, turned his heal, and walked straight into the busy crowd.
"Why were you talking to that over grown git?" Harry said with disgust, watching Draco disappear into the crowd of mid-day shoppers.
"I have no idea." I say and turn to Harry. "Come on, let's go in before he comes back," I say with a smile and we begin our way into The Three Broomsticks.
Madam Rosmerta greeted us with her usual smile and sat us down at a table near the back. I could tell Harry was as nervous as I was; he kept his head down and kept twisting a napkin in his hand. It was always hard for him to make eye contact when he felt nervous. When our butter beers were placed in front of us, I took charge and spoke first.
"Oh, I never said congratulations about the engagement and baby." I say politely, continuing to watch him play with the napkin.
"Oh, well, erm, thanks. It surprised me at first, the whole baby thing. We were always careful but I guess it happens." He glances up at me quickly and I catch a glimpse of his green eyes.
My god, I could drown in them.
"And the marriage, of course. I'm sure you two are going to be ... very happy together." I force myself to say and take a deep swig of my drink. Harry's glass remains untouched.
"Yeah, I really like her and everything. I just want what's best for the baby, you know." He says, he finally puts the napkin on the table and inhales deeply. "That's what I kind of wanted to talk to you about."
"Oh," I tried to sound like I wasn't expecting it, "I see. Please continue."
"We want the wedding in 3 months. Kate isn't very far along and we wanted to give ourselves enough time to get settled ... for the baby and everything." He pauses, waiting for me to reply but instead I take another swig of my drink. "We're going to try to have a small wedding, most likely in your parent's backyard and you see erm ... well, Kate's best friend is going to be on vacation in the states and will have to miss the wedding."
"Oh, that's a shame." I say, while secretly thinking, 'HA!'
"Kate doesn't know a lot of people around here and she was wondering who can be her maid of honor." He says and looks at me with pleading eyes, "and so, naturally, I suggested you."
WHAT!?
"I know you two don't really get along, but it would be doing me a huge favor. Ron's already my best man and I couldn't think of anyone else but you."
WHAT!?
"It's just for three months and you get to wear a dress and be apart of my wedding and everything." He says to me and takes a big breath for his final plea. "So Ginny, will you be Kate's Maid of Honor?"
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.
No, no way, I can't be the maid of honor for that ... that ... cow!
"Harry, I would love to." I hear myself say. I huge grin takes over Harry's face as he moves across the table and wraps me in his arms. I melt into him, wishing never to leave this spot.
"You're the best Ginny." He says into my hair and I feel my knees slightly buckle. He pulls away, still smiling warmly, and looks at his watch. "Damn it, I have to go. I promised Kate I would meet her and her parents for a cup of tea. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear the good news. I'll see you around." He quickly gives me a peck on the cheek and darts out the door.
I fall back into the chair and finish my drink. A million thoughts are still swimming in my head as I head back to the flat. Meanwhile, I have a horrible image of me in a sea foam green dress, standing next to Kate who looks immaculate. If it was anybody else, I would've said no and be done with it but this is Harry and his happiness. If I can't be the one making him happy for the rest of his life, I can at least help.
As I open the door, I see Nicole sitting on the edge of sofa: Looking as if she had been waiting for me for quite a while.
"So?" she asks before I could take a step into the flat.
"So, what?" I inquire in return, knowing what she wanted to know but felt like playing hard to get.
"What did he want to talk about?" she says and I feel her eyes on the back of my head as I hang up my coat.
"Nothing really, we talked about Kate, and the baby, and the wedding, and-"
"Get to the point or I'll hex you so bad, your mother won't be able to recognize her." Nicole threatens playfully. I smile in return as I hop over the back of the couch and sit next to her.
"He asked me to be Kate's Maid of Honor." I tell her and Nicole squeals in return.
"Are you serious? Well, that's ... interesting, I guess." She says with a smile and looks back at the TV. 'Coupling' was now on but was muted.
"It's bloody insane. It's like putting a lamb out for slaughter. 10 pounds she'll make me wear the ugliest dress just to humiliate me a little more." I say and put my head into Nicole's lap, allowing her to run her fingers through my hair.
"Well, I doubt she knows about your night with Harry. So, you can't label this as revenge. Maybe he just wanted you to be in the wedding." She shrugs, continuing to stare at the TV.
"Maybe, but all I know right now is that I want a large slice of my mother's apple crumb pie." I say, getting up and moving into the kitchen.
"Don't eat too much; we have that business meeting tonight. We're meeting our new editor." She yells at me and I hear the TV's sound come back on.
"Damn it, that's right." I mutter to myself as I reach into the fridge. Before we left New York, our old editors told us about a dinner party we were going to attend within the first week of living in London. I hate Dinner parties, everybody is too nervous about making a good first impression to eat. You don't want to act like a pig when you eat with your boss, now do you?
Nicole and I spend the rest of the afternoon watching a 'Coupling' marathon. Around 5, we unglue ourselves from the couch and to get ready. We left around 6:30 and hopped in a cab to the mansion where the party was going to be held. I looked down at the invitation, giving us directions, and it doesn't give us a name or anything. For the past few weeks, the identity of the new editor has remained a secret. Usually I just shrugged it off, whatever poor sap who was coaxed into the position must not be proud of it. It doesn't matter to me so long as I get my pay check every other week, I will remain a happy employee.
Our taxi arrives at a huge, lavish mansion incrusted with dancing fairy lights. From the front lawn, I can hear music playing and people laughing.
"Wow, somebody pulled out all the stops to welcome us." Nicole says in awe as we climb the front steps.
"Or just trying to show off," I return.
As we enter the house, a butler takes our coats and a waiter passes by with a tray full of champagne. Nicole and I, with champagne in hand, begin to wander around the party. We recognize a few people from the New York branch but there seems to be a vast amount of people who I've never seen before.
"Financial backers." Linda Grant tells us, relationship specialist and gossip queen of Cosmo Witch. "They needed a lot of money to get this project of the ground." She tells us smugly and wanders off to find others to tell. Nicole and I find vacant chairs on the side of the room and sit in them, observing the party from afar. I'm about to get up to get another glass of champagne when I hear a voice that pulls me back into my seat.
"Ginny?" I hear and turn my head towards the direction of in which it came from. I find Harry in his very best emerald green dress robes. I feel my breath escape me as he comes over with a smile on his face.
"Harry! What are you doing here?" I ask, standing up and I am taken into another one of his embraces.
I love these.
"I'm so glad I found you. Kate's father is a financial backer for the magazine." He grins at me and turns to look at Nicole. "Hey Nicole, glad to see you here."
"Cheers" Nicole smirks and I see a slight flicker of a wink.
"Where's Kate?" I ask, though at the moment, with Harry's arms around me, I could care less.
"Her father stole her away to meet your new editor." He says and takes a step back, taking a swig of his own glass of champagne.
"Do you know our new editor as well? Ginny and I still don't know who he is!" Nicole chimes in.
"Not a clue, sorry. I didn't even know Kate's father was involved with this until I had that cup of tea with him this afternoon." Harry explains and we are interrupted by the herds of people moving from the ballroom into another room. "I guess Dinners ready. Shall I escort you two ladies?" he says, holding his arms out for each of us. Nicole and I exchange looks and laugh as we loop our arms through each of his arms.
Dinner is being held in the largest dining room that would put the kitchen at the Burrow to shame. Everybody takes their seats and Harry leaves us to take his place next to Kate. Everybody continues to chat but we are soon interrupted once again by an elderly man standing up at the head of the table. Everybody is silenced as the man grins warmly.
"Hello and welcome all Cosmo Witch employees and guests. I am Mr. Luke Sernesky and I am head of the London division of Cosmo witch. I wish a warm welcome to everybody, London natives and new residents." He says and everybody begins to clap politely. "I would like to extend a hand of gratitude and recognize all who helped financially. Mr. Dave Hansen." A man maybe in his mid-forties stands up and everybody politely applauds again. "Miss Joanna Newman" the man sits down and a woman in a cream colored suit stands and waves.
One after one, Mr. Sernesky names of a different person. Meanwhile, I'm searching the table for Harry. As he announces, "Miss Jasmine Dixon," I spot Harry sitting next to Kate. As to be suspected, Kate is drenched in jewels as she sits next to an elderly man I could only guess as her father. My suspicions are proved true when Mr. Sernesky announces, "Mr. Alan Oliver." I see him stand up and watch as Kate enthusiastically claps for her father. Finally, after announcing the final person, "Miss Lauren Marcilla," Mr. Sernesky moves on.
"And on a final note, I would like to introduce the editor of this fine magazine, Mr. Draco Malfoy."
I nearly spat out my champagne when I hear his name. I see a tall, blonde figure stand up on the other side of the table. As Malfoy smirks at everybody, I notice he's dressed in the finest deep red dress robe I've seen in ages. "Now, let's eat." Mr. Sernesky announces and food magically appears in front of all of us, filling our once empty plates. I look at the food but I instantly feel sick.
Malfoy is my editor?
When will this day end?
Edited: Just a quick note, this story is still HP/GW. I'm just throwing Draco in there for a little fun : ). This story WILL NOT turn into DM/GW! Thanks!
