Chapter 1:
Yet another horrible morning spent yelling and crying. Ginny stared at her ring as she sat at her desk. When he had given the ring to her everything seemed perfect. They had gotten married when she was seventeen. Now less then five years later, nearly everyday began just as that day had. They got into a vicous fight, where each of their claws came out. He left the house angry; she sat in the shower and cried.
Yes, love had always been apart of their lives; if not for each other, then for what their marriage represented.
He was their world's golden boy. He defeated their enemy. He was brave and caring. He had the perfect wife. He had everything anyone would want: respect, prestige, honor, riches. Love? Not always.
Ginny toyed with her quill. Maybe she should leave him? she thought. She never could, she would be hated by the world.
"Mrs. Potter?"
Ginny looked up, it was her assistant Marla.
"Yes, Marla?"
"The new publishers are here."
"What?"
"Have you forgotten? We have a meeting with the new publishers."
"What happened to the old publishers?"
"Skyward Publishing House was bought out by Silver Sword Publishers... Mrs. Potter we went over this last week. Today is the meeting."
"Well, take them to the conference room and tell them I'll be there in five."
Marla nodded and left Ginny's office. Ginny took out her compact and checked her hair and make up. She reapplied her lipgloss, and made sure there was no trace of the fight earlier. She smiled and left to the conference room.
---
Ginny took a deep breath before she opened the door to the conference room. She wasn't sure she could be the perfect, capable, and cool magazine editor she was supposed to be. With one last prayer she opened the door.
The two men that were seated at the conference table stopped talking and looked at her. The one to the left was older, confident and sweet looking. The one to the right was tan, with sun bleached hair. He had an obvious arrogance that shown especially through his silver eyes. He looked strangely familiar.
"Hello sirs, my name is Ginerva Potter." She reached a hand out to the older man first. He grasped it and smiled.
"Mrs. Potter, I am Malcolm Jenkins. This is my publishing partner Draco Malfoy."
Ginny reached a hand out to him, trying to conceal her suprise. He took her hand loosely. "We've met Malcolm. We went to school together."
"Did you really? How nice."
Ginny smiled. "I'm suprised you mentioned it. As I seem to remember you weren't fond of my family, or friends back then."
"Well, Mrs. Potter, things change. We all mature." His voice had lost the "Do you know who my father is?" whine, but it was replaced by a "You're privelaged to be speaking with me." arrogant drawl.
Ginny had to supress her utter disbelief that he would ever mature. "Pleasure meeting you Mr. Jenkins, and lovely reaquainting with you Mr. Malfoy. But, enough of the niceties, there is business to be done and I believe all of us are busy with other things. Let us begin."
The next hour passed rather quickly, as Ginny just informed them about the magazine. (Which was a VOGUE for witches called Gala.) They discussed the new possibilities for Gala now that there were more successful, and prominent publishers. Throughout the meeting Ginny stole glances at Draco. She couldn't believe he was the same white-haired, pasty, whiny person. Of course he had matured, he was much better looking then he had ever been at Hogwarts. Ginny mentally scolded herself for thinking he was attractive. She was married of Pete's sake! Still she couldn't help herself, he was handsome, and it was undeniable.
The meeting ended soon enough, and Mr. Jenkins bed Ginny good-bye, and his hope that his company would help Gala become more successful. Draco lingered for a moment after Mr. Jenkins had departed.
"I just wanted to let you know, don't think just because we work together that I'll ever like you, your family, or specifically your husband."
"The thought never once crossed my mind, Mr. Malfoy. However, I do expect you to be civil and professional. You will never see and of my family members here, we have an understanding they are never to visit me at work."
"Glad that's settled then."
Ginny smiled. "Now, if you will excuse me I have work to do. Have a nice day," Ginny walked with him to the elevator. "Until next week's meeting then." She then left him.
---
"How was work, darling?" Harry asked her as they ate their dinner.
"Fine," she said. "How are things at the auror office?"
"Good, we're currently trying to find this dark wizard who blows up muggles for no apparent reason."
"How awful. I hope you catch him. Do you have any good leads?"
"A few, but most end up no where so I'm too excited."
"Well, you go out there and find him. You're the best in the business," Ginny loved to praise him. "You're the wizarding world's bravest auror."
Harry smiled broadly. "Thanks. What happened at work today? Anything interesting?"
"Not particularly," she began to lie, but decided not to. She decided it was better to have a small confrontation now, then a huge blow-out argument later. "We actually got a new publisher."
"Really, who?"
"Silver Sword, they bought out Skyward."
"Oh. Well, how are they?"
"It's two men that own it. A sweet older man named Malcolm Jenkins, and Draco Malfoy."
Harry dropped his fork. "Malfoy? I thought he lived in France, or America, or something. When his father died he swore he would never come back to Britain."
"Well, obviously things changed."
"Is he still the prat he used to be?"
"He seemed nice enough. Though he did say he hoped I never expected him to like you or my family."
"He would say that," Harry was becoming quite irritated. "Gin, if you can, stay away from him."
"Well, I can't."
"I'm trying to be undersatnding, Gin. He's just the publisher how often do you have to be around him?"
"The publisher basically owns the magazine, Sweety. Surely I've explained this to you."
"You haven't. He's trouble. Is there anyway you can switch publishers?"
"No, Harry, it's impossible to switch publishers. Every other publisher already has one of my rival magazines. If I switch they'll just combine my Gala with trash like Witch Weekly."
"Do you have to work with him? Can't you just work with this Jenkins man exclusively?"
"No, Harry, this is a joint effort. I must work with both of them."
"Why?"
"Must I always have to explain myself to you Harry? Can't you just allow things to be as they are?"
"Because I don't trust Malfoy."
"Can't you accept that I can take care of myself?"
"You can't though Gin, I always have to save you."
"Why do you think I always need to be saved? Give me a chance to save myself."
"Gin, you don't understand, Gin." Harry repeated the name "Gin" over and over again when he was really riled up. "Wherever he goes, problems follow."
"How do you know? You haven't seen him in, what, five years?"
"That's not the point. The point is people don't change."
"Well, maybe his father's death put things into perspective for him."
"Maybe so, but I still don't trust him."
"Fine! Don't trust him, but I still have to work with him."
"I'm sorry, Ginny. I didn't mean to be inconsiderate, I've just had so many problems with him."
"I know."
"Do you forgive me?" He reached across the table and attempted to grasp her hand. She pulled it away before he could.
"Of course I do, but, I think I need a walk."
She grabbed her coat and took a walk down the busy streets below their apartment. Their argument had been small, but Ginny couldn't take it any longer. She hated how he didn't trust her, and how he thought he always needed to save her. She really wished she could leave him, but knew she couldn't. They were once in love, a long time ago. He had fought to save her life on several occasions, at the time she thought it was sweet and heroic. That was probably the cause of why he always thought he needed to save her. Ginny was just so sick of him always trying to be the hero. To say the truth, Ginny didn't even care if she worked with Draco or not. She just did not want Harry telling her what to do. He always tried to do that. As though it wasn't enough she had all her brothers telling her what to do throughout her life, now Harry felt the need to as well.
Ginny was so involved in her thoughts she didn't see him in front of her. She walked straight into his chest, and it took her a moment to realize it. "Watch where you're going!"
Ginny looked up into his silver eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry."
"Weas-Potter?"
"Yes?"
"Why don't you watch where you're going?"
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
"Obviously. What were you so in deep thought about?"
"Don't worry about it," Ginny snarled, defensively. "I'll see at the next meeting." She tried to get by him but he blocked her way. "Could you please move?"
"I want to know what you're so worked up about."
"I said not to worry about it."
He shrugged, and stepped aside to let her walk by. "Have it your way. I guess you and Potter don't have the perfect life you let on."
Ginny was shocked by his words. "Things may seem perfect from far way, but as you get closer you begin to see all the cracks." Ginny clasped a hand to her mouth. She could not believe she let that escape her mouth.
He smirked. "So, it isn't paradise for you and Potter? Even the golden boy has problems."
Ginny winced from his words, somehow she had always feared someone finding out about their less then perfect marriage. She had hoped no one would know it for the sham it was.
"Life's great with Harry, nothing wrong what so ever." She smiled fakely. She had gotten good a fake smiles.
"I'm sure. To tell the truth-"
"I'm sure it would be the first time for you."
He glanced at her annoyed. "Haha, very funny. As I was saying, I don't really care whether or not you are happy, but I do care if Potter is miserable."
"You would."
"I've decided his life should be a living hell."
"Well, nice to know you have your priorities straight. Now, I really must be going."
He smirked. "Back to your sham marriage?"
Ginny glared at him and decided not to dignify his question with a response. She just left him watching her.
He smirked to himself. She was making it too easy.