Chapter 18: - Minster of Magic

Virginia sat at Gryffindor table waiting for the post to arrive; she looked up at Draco who appeared apprehensive. The eyes of those around her looked from her to Draco whispering. The Hogwarts rumour mill was in full force and Vir wished it wasn't. With a flutter of wings owls descended on the Hall, a large Tawny perched on Vir's shoulder and offered its leg. She removed the newspaper and she placed the payment in the leather pouch tied to its leg. The front-page headline declared 'MINISTER MALFOY'. Students all around the hall who'd received this were gasping with surprise and shock. Vir looked at her beau who shrugged, she felt little need to read on knowing it was possibly safer. This stopped the discussion of her and Draco at least.

*****

"Ginny, is it true then?" Colin Creevey shouted running down the hall to catch her before Potions.

"Is what true?" She hadn't intended on being so abrupt but any rumour needed to be quashed.

"That you and Malfoy are together and that the Minister is fully behind your relationship?"

"Yes it's true, Draco and I are together I told everyone days ago, why can't you all listen. As for Lucius I have no idea if he supports us or not."

"Are you really preggers?" Shane's little sister Stephanie asked approaching.

"Yes!"

"I never thought that a Malfoy would stoop so low as to fall for a Weasel." The brown haired Slytherin sneered.

"Steph, don't start!" Shane began in Vir's defence standing next to her.

"Shut up, Shane. You're a disappointment. I can't really blame you Weasel; Malfoy is quite good looking. You do realise what a little slut you are don't you?"

"STEPH! Stop it now. Five points from Slytherin for disregard of authority." Shane stared down at his sibling menacingly.

"But Shane she's obviously a WHORE..." SLAP. The sound of Vir's hand connecting with Stephanie's face echoed down the hallway. Footsteps could be heard coming from the dungeon and Draco stood ominously over the crowd that had gathered.

"What is going on here, may I ask?" he queried. A flourish of red was appearing on the younger girls cheek. "Miss Weasley?"

"Nothing, Sir." Vir lied looking quickly at Shane.

"You two get to potions and Miss Edwards shouldn't you be in Transfiguration?"

"I'll get you later, Weasley." Stephanie mumbled under her breath as she stalked off. Draco then led Shane and Vir to the dungeon.

*****

Shane had apologized both to Draco and Virginia for his baby sister's behaviour. Luckily Vir hadn't cast eyes on the Slytherin girl since that incident. The holidays approached at lightning speed and her pregnancy seemed to be beginning to show, under her Hogwarts robes, though, no one could tell. The Hogwarts Express pulled into Kings Cross station early evening; Draco and Vir were curled up in a compartment with Shane and his new girlfriend Kara. The conversation flowed naturally and they were left uninterrupted. Everyone parted on the platform and together Vir and Draco walked to 'The Leaky Cauldron'. Once inside the pub they settled down for a quick drink before taking the Floo to Device Hall. The room they stepped into was tastefully decorated in vibrant reds. A blonde woman stood before them her hair tied back.

"Welcome, I'm Louise Renaud. Minister Malfoy's assistant."

*****

Thanks for the reviews. Please can you push the figure past 100? I don't own Louise, she owns herself.