Anything you recognize ain't mine!
Most importantly:
I re-did some parts of the previous chapters too.. do go through them !
Plus I started a new story "Its only fate" R & R that too please ;;)
i love draco : Thank You … but I love Draco too .
louey31: Thanks.. Oh, Harry has big plans wait for the coming chapters for it to unveil.
Holly: Thanks.. will try to update sooner…
JuzElizabeth: Thanks.. this chapter is looooooooong.
KeeperofthePineNeedles: me updated… u review review review now..
Sorceress of the Cat: Thanks…
dracos gurl: Thanks for ur help.. have fixed everything I could notice.. do let me know if there are any more?.. hope this chapter is better !
FieryLacrosseGirl: Oh dear I love Blaise too.. nevertheless, wait u will love Draco more as this story proceeds !
AmaranthineWhisper: Thanks !
momo and zuko make me happy: Thanks Thanks ! See I do know whts good for me ;) anyway was wondering abt ur penname… whts it abt? Sry have no idea..
RavenTrinityLionheart: Thanks.. me working on it ;)
misses-charlie-weasly: Thanks.. Continuing !
Thanks to everyone who read and my love to those who reviewed :)
Previously:
"Meet your new chief officer – operations, Ginevra Weasly, she will be starting from tomorrow in my place," he said gesturing towards Ginny.
For a minute, Malfoy was stunned, and just stared at her.
Blaise had almost muttered a "Cat got your tongue".
Draco turned to glare at him.
It was very amusing to see Draco like this; freaking out, usually he was so much in control that it freaked people.
"You have got to be kidding me," bellowed Draco Malfoy now glaring at Ginny.
"Whoopie! I am equally delighted at having working with u, Malfoy" spat Ginny matching his glare.
"Correction my dear while Blaise works 'with' me, you will be working 'for' me" countered a smirking Draco, her face turned as red as her hair. Aah if only looks could kill.
'This might work out pretty well' though Blaise Zabini, his eyes alternating between them.
Clearly, Draco had recovered from his initial shock, and now there would be hell to pay.
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"Bastard" muttered Ginny abusing Zabini, she had known 'the ferret' was going to be difficult to work with, oh 'for' she corrected herself, the words that came to her mind would make Molly wash her daughter's mouth.
Clearly, he had not grownup and neither would anytime soon, name calling, like an eleven year old, as bad as Ron, well almost.
Ginny smiled remembering the look on his face when he first learnt she was going to be Blaise's replacement, it was almost worth the trouble he causes.
Unfortunately to top it all he had recovered almost instantaneously and was back to being the bastard-stuck up mamas' boy he was.
It was a good thing Blaise had dismissed her; she would have cursed him for real.
"I suggest you to meet me at nine am tomorrow and we can start then, I have more pressing matters to attend to at the moment" Blaise completed gesturing towards the overgrown-ferret.
Blaise let a sigh as he closed the door to his office. Draco had left his office with a tantrum.
Had he foreseen this he would not have left bed this morning, especially after the rendezvous with Pansy. With a groan, he stopped his mind before it tempted him to apparate into his wife's arms.
It had drained him to convince Draco of the choice he had made.
It was a smart move to remove Ginny from the room before any real damage. She had looked mad enough to curse him as well, but had left without a tantrum, thank god for that; it was hard even to imagine the chaos that would cause.
Today there was a lot to do before he left and he dare not be late lest Pansy would kill him.
Instructing his secretary to not let anyone disturb him anymore, he poured a fire whiskey and started going through the files he was to give Ginny.
From time to time, he thought of the mysterious element in Draco's eyes when he had realized what Ginny was to do.
Though it was fury, his best friend could see the amusement hidden and maybe something more.
He had always known Draco admired her, her free independent spirit, her temper, her zeal, but also knew she was Harry Potter's ex-girl friend, something Draco would never forget or maybe he would.
He smiled remembering the numerous times he had caught Draco sneaking looks of her during their final year, when he thought none was looking.
Maybe it was a good thing their paths had crossed again but then Draco was not the most predictable man even for his best friend.
Time and again, he had surprised Blaise too. There was always more to that man than what met the eye.
"I believe you have a good reason for this," drawled Draco, getting comfortable in the seat Ginevra Weasly had vacated.
"I believe I do, she will be more useful than Hermione Weasley in getting the permission"
"She is the Golden boy's girlfriend, muggle loving Arthur Weasley's daughter, the muggle born brightest witch in a century - Hermione Weasley's sister-in-law and best friend, and not to mention the head of the Magic-Muggle collaboration department Charlie Weasley's sister."
"She will be on the board of directors for 'Kendra', make her the head of operations and they will deliver the license to our office in person"
"I am not even going to ask how you got her to agree to this plan of yours, but don't think the media can't figure it out too, our competitors will not let it rest, bad publicity is something we can do without now" sneered Draco.
"I didn't pick her for the connection reason only; she has worked with Edward Livingston as a managing director for over two years which means she is an expert in the hostile take over territory. Moreover, I did not buy her loyalty. She had resigned for personal reasons before I made the offer and so far she doesn't know anything about the project its well under wrap till the hearing"
"Also I cleared her name with Elmer; he gives her an A," Blaise continued waving a hand to keep Draco from interrupting him.
"As far as our competitors are concerned, their attack on her integrity will work for us, Charlie Weasley will make sure we get the permit just to get back at them. Any publicity with regard to her involvement will only help our cause" finished Blaise, his smirk re-appearing.
Draco kept his glare fixed till he added, "Plus I knew it would push your buttons, also its payback for getting Bianca to Catherine's birthday party, Pansy tortured me with it for weeks"
"I withhold the right to dismiss her if she gets in my way, just thought should remind you," countered Draco, smirking, which broke the tension in the room.
"You won't use it, but that reminds me, Vena MacLea is suing for 50 million in her suit against you, wrongful termination"
"Let Elmer deal with it, I have bigger problems at hand"
"She has sued you personally, not the company, I suggest you pay Elmer a visit, before you leave"
"If it was anything urgent he would have contacted me, I will meet him after I return, which reminds me, when are you going to be there?"
"Should be there by tomorrow afternoon, will join you for lunch"
"Give my love to Pansy and Catherine; ask the Weaslette to report to my office at sharp eight A.M on the day after" with a swish of his robes he was gone.
"Argh" with a groan Ginny stood, rubbing her soar bottom; she had rammed into something hard and fallen.
She had rammed into the door to her destination.
Opening the door with all the grace she could muster, she walked into Hermione's office.
With a few hours to kill, she had decided to pay Hermione a visit, who was constantly distracted or busy, it was time for Ginny to find what was troubling her.
"Good Afternoon" she called out to Hermione, who had her head buried in papers.
"Good Afternoon" replied a smiling Hermione.
"So how did it go?"
"Well Malfoy showed up, and ruined my day"
"I was about to take a break after I finish these papers, but am starving, good thing you showed up now I will finish them after we eat and my conscience can blame that on you"
"And to think I didn't think I would live to see the day Hermione Granger skipped work"
"Well I guess that changed after she became Hermione Weasley, between is this a girls lunch, or can I invite Harry and Ron?" replied a grinning Hermione.
"You already met with Harry?"
"Yes, it was a short meeting though; he had dropped in on his way to submit an application for the squad, he is with Ron now"
"I think we should make this a girl's lunch, I haven't forgiven Ron for his childishness," Ginny muttered, though the truth was, it had hit her how uncomfortable she was with the Harry's return, as though Hermione's comment had made it all seem real.
Giggling they entered the La Carter Café, a beautiful restaurant in Diagon alley, one of Ginny's favorite.
'Malfoy better hire some guards, there are going to be six Weasley's' after him, not to mention Harry" commented Hermione as the waiter took their orders.
With a start, Ginny realized that other than Ron, Hermione and Harry no one knew about her new job, she had to tell her parents and brothers to begin with.
"You can do it tonight; Molly surely has a big family get together planned in honor of Harry's return" Hermione added helpfully, guessing the reason behind her horrified expression.
"I guess the sooner the better, I have to start tomorrow; at least Zabini had the sense to make me leave before I hexed Malfoy"
"Well it will be eventful and interesting for sure and despite the fact that he is a git, Draco Malfoy is a genius, it would take years to reach this pinnacle" encouraged Hermione.
"Thanks, just hope he can act more professionally"
"Don't worry; his company can't afford another mistreatment or wrongful termination suit, which he is very famous for."
"The ministry will intervene this time and not to mention Elmer Waller, his chief legal advisor, will kill him if he dare mistreat anyone, a suit was filed yesterday by a Miss Vena MacLea," added Hermione helpfully.
"Anyway I signed the contract, I have 365 days to mull over the over-grown-ferret lets not ruin a perfectly good lunch" Ginny replied as the waiters appeared with their orders.
Draco Malfoy was far from their minds as they enjoyed a delicious meal gossiping about family and friends.
As the waiter cleared the plates, Ginny asked "Is there something on your mind Herm, you seem a little distracted at times"
"Just work stress I guess, there is this new guy Jude Kenny, he has finished his training and was to be partnered with Ron, was researching his files. But I don't think that will be required with Harry joining, they will be paired for sure." Hermione replied wisely.
She and Ron had decided to let their moving out issue slide for a while, especially with Harry returning.
With a parting hug Hermione returned to her office and Ginny decided to pay Luna a visit to apologize for the ruined dinner a couple of days ago and bring her to date with the recent developments.
Ginny apparated to the Quibber building, Luna worked as the chief editor. She found her friend reviewing the latest edition; she filled Luna on all the details of the offer but what surprised her most was that though Luna shrugged at the mention of the offer but she threw her a meaningful glance at Harry's news.
After a few hours of girl talk, all dinner plans forgotten Ginny walked into a kitchen full of Weasleys and Harry.
After the usual greetings and hugs, they sat to dinner. Ginny sat between Ron and Hermione, Harry in front of her. The twins on his right and Charlie on his left, Bill and Fleur had not made it.
"Heard you dumped Eddie baby" said Fred.
"Spying on me?"
"Well words get around" shrugged Fred.
"We always felt he was kind of a pansy, not good enough for you, hence our congratulations" added George swallowing his food.
"Better than Malfoy any day" muttered Ron.
Everyone was staring at Ron now, with the exception of Hermione who was glaring at her husband.
"Come again" Charlie managed to ask.
"She accepted a position to work for Malfoy, signed the papers today," answered Ron shooting Ginny nervous glances as though awaiting his death sentence.
Ginny glanced around the table, her father and Charlie looked interested. The twins clearly found this amusing but before they could torture her, Molly's high-pitched and highly irritated voice started.
Shouldn't you discuss it with your parents" bellowed an irritated Molly.
"Well you see I wanted to surprise you all" Ginny tried lamely to save her hide.
"Shock is the word my dear" replied an amused Fred.
"Shame is the word too, you didn't consult dear mum before you signed anything, how could you?" added an equally amused George.
"You are the ones to talk," snapped Molly.
Charlie, Ron, Harry were openly sniggering now.
"See that's what you get for not listening to me," gloated Ron.
"You knew and you didn't tell me!"
"Well I kind of knew, nothing definite," Ron stuttered.
"Gin dear, why don't you tell us what this is all about," said Arthur smiling at his daughter encouragingly easing the moment and saving his sons arse.
"Blaise Zabini offered me a position as the chief of operations with a year's contract at Malfoy Holdings, and I accepted. I really meant to tell you all after desert, but apparently some people don't know when to shut up" Ginny finished a death glare fixed at Ron.
"I still think you should have discussed it with us," added Molly it was clear she was offended but seemed cooler. "Anyway congratulations dear" she added with a smile.
Everyone took turns congratulating her again and the dinner discussion changed to Fleur's pregnancy and the hell she was putting Bill through, Harry's new position.
Later that night after everyone left and Harry had settled into the twin's old bedroom.
Ginny lay on her bed thinking of Harry Potter and the tender way he smiled at her tonight it brought back memories of the time they had dated.
Her thoughts disturbed by a knock on her door and Ron walked into her room.
"What do you want?" she snapped at him.
"I wanted to apologize to you," he answered with a sheepish grin and sat on the edge of her bed.
"I am happy for you, and didn't mean to cause any trouble for you; it's just that I don't trust Malfoy and with Harry moving back I was kind of hoping" but before he could complete his sentence Ginny interjected.
"That we would fall in love and I would marry him and live happily ever after"
The hopeful look in his eyes was her answer.
"Ron, I did love Harry but that was in the past and I have moved on and so has he," she explained it to him.
"It's just that I worry about you and want you to be happy," he answered smiling.
Her only answer was a kiss on his cheek. Her tactless, brash and short-tempered youngest brother had been her greatest comfort when she had broken up with Harry.
It had been the night, they had won the Great War; the entire order was at the headquarters celebrating, with the exception of Harry Potter.
Ron had reported that Harry had refused to come to the celebration and had gone to visit his parent's grave instead.
Ginny had sat near the entrance until early morning eagerly awaiting his return at least she knew he was alive.
When he had not returned until mid-day, she was worried and decided to apparate to Godric's Hollow to look for him.
The sight that met her eyes had scarred her for life; there was Harry in his bedroom with a dark haired woman completely naked, the sheets a tangled mess.
Without a word or tear, she had apparated to the burrow, there she found Charlie packing his bags to return to Romania and had begged him to take her with him.
She returned to the present with Ron whipping her tears, unknown to her she had been crying.
Cupping her face, he lovingly kissed her forehead and whispered soothing words to her, as she smiled weakly and closed her eyes.
With a sad smile, he closed her door narrowly missing the black haired wizard who ducked into the shadows, re-living the horror of his biggest mistake for the umpteenth time.
Sneak Preview:
"You are five minutes late, I don't stand tardiness" snapped Draco without looking up from his work.
"I was before time, your secretary made me wait for twenty minutes," Ginny answered in an irritated tone.
She had been into office for less than a minute and was already regretting her decision.
A/N: Now we know they broke up, he cheated btw any guesses who that the dark haired girl was? . There is more to that story which will unveil later… till then keep reading and reviewing !
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! It only gets better !
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