Finding Cinderella
By Yvonne
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Nothing owns me, let's leave it at that.
Summary: WANTED: A real beauty, with long hair, pale skin with shoes size 6, aka Cinderella. He found her, they did it, and all that was left of her was her scent and a shoe. He wants her back, even if he doesn't know her, and that's what he'll get, because Malfoys always get what they want. Of course that's what he thinks.
Ch.2 Ginny's Side
Ginny got home, exhausted. Good thing was that she was still employed and might even get a raise, bad thing that she won't even stay employed, and forgets about the raise, if she doesn't turn in the column that Malfoy wants her to post by 12:00p.m tonight.
When Draco disappeared from her sight that morning, in came the snotty Rita Skeeter, who 'accidentally' overheard their little conversation, demanded to get the column that Draco wanted to be posted, saying that if Ginny was lucky enough not to get fired and that she was to turn in the article to her. 'Bloody snot nose just wanted to steal my article,' was what she thought.
So Ginny put the paper down and burned it with a quick "Lumos." That really outraged Rita and said that she better turn in the copy of the article to her at once.
"Ms. Skeeter, I'm the only one who knew what he wanted, if I were you, I wouldn't be trying to steal my work but be offering me a raise of some kind."
Rita, knowing that Ginny was too smart for age, gave in a little, and said," Fine, if you turn in that article I'll give you a raise of 5 galleon."
"15."
"10."
"13."
"Deal, but if you don't turn it in by 12 o'clock, I'll make sure you won't only be fired but you'll have a very hard time finding another job," Rita said coldly and went out the door.
During the rest of the day, Ginny was given piles of work to do from Rita; she was given no mercy until she turned it in. But Ginny showed no weakness, she wasn't going to give the column in until she got some advice from Harry.
The Trio and she rented a huge apartment with four separate rooms a big living room, kitchen and dining room. They were really close: Ron and Hermione were together 'til she broke it off saying Ron was just a brother to her but they would remain close and they did. Harry and Ginny had been together since Harry graduated and defeated Voldemort, for three years they were very happy.
Ron and Hermione had plans with some of their pals, but Harry had work that night so he would come and keep Ginny company tonight.
Ginny went into the kitchen and prepared food for Harry and her. She used the skill she got from her mother and started cooking delicious food that could lure the smartest and most cautious person to the food. By the time she finished, it was 10 o'clock.
She set up the table and when she was almost done, Harry came in from the front door. He seemed surprise to see she had prepared dinner, he knew that they needed to talk about something.
Harry went to change and took a quick shower and sat down with Ginny, who took one earlier that night. They ate and talked about their day and when it was Ginny's turn to speak she told him what happened at work today.
"Well, I think you did the right thing not turning it to Rita Skeeter, and if Draco could find that woman, he'll hurt the ones in the way along with her. He is, after all, a cruel Slytherin and not to mention, a Malfoy."
"But what if he really wants to find her? I mean you and I are lucky because we're surrounded by the people we love and those who love us back, but I don't think Malfoy had that in his whole life. I'd shiver at the injustice of not having someone to share how your day went or why you feel sad or happy," Ginny said telling Harry what had been puzzling her all night.
"But this is a Malfoy we're talking about, for all we know, he's faking all of this and he's going to hurt her in the end anyway. How would you sleep with a guilty conscience?" Harry asked her seriously, a frown was upon his face.
Ginny sighed inwardly, "You're right Harry, and I shouldn't risk it. I'll find another job."
Harry smiled with pride at his girlfriend, "I'm sure you can open a little restaurant and use those skills your mother past to you."
"Speaking about mum, she is expecting the family for dinner next week," Ginny informed him with a smile.
"Okay, I'm going to hit the bed now, work was so exhausting today," Harry said and yawned and got up and kissed Ginny in the cheek.
"Okay, good night, love," Ginny said with a sweet smile on her face.
When Harry retires to his room, Ginny began to clean up the table and wash the dishes. Her thoughts always float back to what Draco last said to her today. The words, 'But who said I'd hurt her?' haunted her all night long. When the clock struck 15 'til 12, Ginny had a notepad and quill in front of her; there it described what Draco thought of the mysterious woman would look like.
What made her decision was the though, ' I love my job, and those who do answer the column volunteered their feelings to be hurt so she wouldn't feel guilty. Plus, he'll never find her anyway.'
With this thought in mind, she sent her owl to the Daily Prophet and return to her blue bedroom and went into peaceful sleep with the same thought in mind, 'He'll never find her anyway...'
Draco woke up early from a dream that seem to be attached to his mind. He could almost smell the strawberries. They were once again sitting arm to arm again, but this time they were talking about stuff anyone who knew each other would talk about.
He knew that the person liked the color blue, loves to drink a cup of warm fresh of cappuccino every morning, loves to dance and sing dreams of being a writer. But before he got to find out more, she would start to turn her face towards him, but before he could see it clearly, he woke up.
Draco was in a nice mood when he got up, but a little irritated that he didn't see her face. He knew it was her, he didn't know how. But it was like how people needed to know when to go to the bathroom, or how you know ice cream is delicious, you just knew.
When Draco got to the Dining room for breakfast, he saw his mother sipping her coffee carefully; she had been softer and more normal and showed her human emotion ever since his good-for-nothing father went to Azkaban.
"Good morning mother," Draco said kissing her softly on her cheeks.
"Morning Draco, you sure seemed cheered up today. Anything I should know?" Narcissa Malfoy said with a hind of smile in her eyes as well as her lips.
"Nothing much," Draco said with a shrug and took some pancake and egg to eat and drank a cup of pumpkin juice.
"Well, lets start with your engagement with Laura, she came ov-" But Draco cut her off by spitting out pumpkin juice on the food around the table.
"WHAT!" Draco said, with his voice booming.
"Oh Draco, you might want to shout a little bit louder, I don't think the people in America can hear you," she remark with a disapproving look on her face, and just as she finisher sentence, an owl came flying in with the latest Daily Prophet.
Narcissa's eyes shift to the cover of the Daily Prophet's cover that lied on the table. Draco toss a sickle at the owl and it left through the window it came in from. He started to eat again but it seemed that something was wrong, he looked at his mother.
She had me eyes as wide as a galleon, staring at the front page of the cover. Curious, Draco slide the newspaper from where it lay and read the front page.
A Sham of an Engagement!
The engagement between Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Wellington is a SHAM! Just yesterday afternoon, Mr. Draco Malfoy himself went to she Ms. Ginny Weasley (who wrote the column for 'Finding Someone Special') and demanded that he find the girl he met last night (further information on the next page) and specifically said that he was NOT engage to Ms. Wellington! Further information will be on the next issue of the Daily Prophet!
Draco turned to the next page, almost ripping the page. There in plain English was his name and the short description of her. It took half of the page and it was decorated with a heart with wings and his information in it.
Draco smirked with a pleased emotion, but suddenly heard the door open. In came Blaise rushing in with Hannah (their house elf) running after him. Before Draco could say anything Blaise put down his copy of the Daily Prophet on the table before him.
Finding Someone Special
Draco Malfoy
WANTED: A real beauty, with red long hair, pale skin with shoes size 6 with a scent of strawberry: Must have been spotted or been on the guest list of the hottest new club Strawberry Republic. To answer to this column please schedule an appointment with Ginny Weasley at the Daily Prophet Office.
The column was decorated with a heart in the middle of the page that was reserved for this new section. "She actually printed it out after all that 'you'll-hurt-her' speech yesterday," Blaise said, his eyes were twinkling with amusement and a big grin plastered all over his face, as he took a seat at the table and grabbed a muffin.
"That sham of woman! This is outrageous! COMPLETELY OUTRAGEOUS!" Narcissa suddenly shouted at the top of her lungs, both men were wincing to the sound, they were never use to this side of the female side of Malfoys. It was almost like the Weasley temper, but slightly uglier.
"How dare she announce this to the public! Draco, I want an explanation right this second!" she shouts, her face terribly flush.
"Well mother, we were never engaged. I never proposed, and I don't intend to. What this woman wrote is actually true for once," Draco said in a calm demeanor, returning to his breakfast.
"You mean to tell me Ms. Wellington, the daughter of Richard Parr Wellington, the owner of the most prestigious jewel collection all over the world, lied to the public and directly to my face just so she can marry you when you didn't even propose. Am I supposed to believe the first the first part of this or the second part?" she shouted, a little bit softer.
"Well the first part about her family history is true to begin with. But the second part is as real as that nose on her face," Draco said expressionless. Blaise smirked at the remark but it was very well hidden with his cup of orange juice.
The veins in Narcissa's head returned to its normal movement pace. She brushes her hair behind her hair and said in a normal tone, "Mr. Wellington and I will be having a talk very soon. Though, I still have time to ask you about this second article here. What have you been doing these days Draco? I thought working would have made you more immature."
"This is just an issue I'm trying to get out of my way," Draco said simply. This was really the only explanation he had though of that didn't make him like a son out to ruin family name. It wasn't far from the truth making it a twisted truth. He never really liked lying to his mother, nor was he going to start now.
"Just make sure this issue doesn't get out of hand," his mother replied coolly, returning back to her regular expressionless demeanor. "Should I expect you to be returning tonight for dinner?" she asked finishing her breakfast.
"No, I have some more business to finish at the office," Draco said taking a sip at his juice.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow night for dinner, there's a new restaurant I want to try out. It's called Haven Deluxe, I heard its own by the same owner of Strawberry Republic. It's actually right next to it. Be there by 8 o'clock, I'll have reservations." Narcissa said as she got out of her seat.
"I'll be there," Draco said, and kissed his mother's cheek as she walked to the door.
"I'll she you then," she said as she walked out the door, the maid opened and closed for her.
As if on cue a brown owl with blue eyes came in from the window with a white letter. Draco grabbed the letter and read it out loud with his eyebrows raised.
"Dear Mr. Malfoy,
I'm sure you have, by now, read the column you requested to have post in my section of the newspaper. I've been order to take care of this… business until you are satisfied. I'll be expecting you today at 12:00. That will be my only free time, and I'll order some food so we don't meet lunch.
Good day Mr. Malfoy,
Ginny Weasley "
"She sure knows how to get down to business," Blaise commented.
'She sure does,' thought Draco, "Let the game begun."
To Draco, this was a game. But to a certain unexpected someone, it was entertainment.
"Tough morning?" asked Jess as she came in with the morning coffee.
"Tell me about it," Ginny said with a bit of groan.
Harry had been giving her a morning lecture, on the phone, about how she should have listen to him and done the right thing instead of helping Malfoy go into a rampage. Phone has been ringing off the hook all morning and she didn't have a good night sleep, because she spent the night think maybe that she shouldn't have sent it after all. Now she regrets it more than anything, but it was too late. She had to finish what she'd started.
But the worst was to come and it all started when the Laura Wellington stormed into her office. Ella, the other receptionist came in after her.
"I'm sorry Ginny, but she wanted to see you right away, I couldn't stop he- , "but Ella was cut mid sentence.
"I demand to know who gave permission to print this outrageous… lie!" shouted the furious Laura. Her face was red and her eyes were threatening. But of course, as busy as Ginny was, she was expecting this. She hadn't been a bit startled when Laura stormed in.
"Ms. Wellington, Mr. Malfoy demanded to have us print this so call 'lie'. I had no choice, I was about to lose my job over this," Ginny said, calmly. She had planned to blame everything on Malfoy. Why not? It wasn't like she was going to do anything to Malfoy. As much as she hated to admit it, it was practically untouchable.
"Well, Ms. Weasley, did you consider the consequences if you did print the column?" asked Laura, in a low hiss.
"Is that a threat?" Ginny said, standing up to meet Laura, eye to eye.
Laura leaned threateningly and said, "You can bet it is." Leaving that as a last word, she stalked out of her office with the clicking of her high heels following her out.
"She's sure paranoid," Jess squeaked out from her corner.