A/N: I want everyone who doesn't know to know that a galleon is not worth a dollar American money. Its worth 7 dollars, so when prices come up its equivalent to 7 times the amount typed. Thanks for my reviews. You know the drill.
New Note: This was initially titled He'll Be Damned.
Disclaimer: still looking for a catchy phrase to disclaim the things that don't belong to me.
Sunday August 10, 1997
To say the rest of the previous evening was entertaining and eventful would be an understatement.
Immediately following his encounter with Ron, Blaise had shot up and called Pansy to inform her that he made someone pass out, all this mind you, while Ron was in the room. To say that made Ron uncomfortable would also be an understatement.
Meanwhile Ginny and the twins would look at each other and burst into laughter over the previous days endeavor. In the meantime, Ron didn't know what to make of Blaise. Everyone was at the Burrow that evening. Hermione and Lavender included. So while Lavender was curled up against Ron's arms, Ron kept shooting nervous glances at Blaise who in turn would either smirk or wink. This would catch Hermione's attention, who would then, narrow her eyes at Blaise in between shooting glares at Lavender. Harry was also looking around the room, nervously trying to figure out what had happened earlier when he was sent away. Everyone else either was, or pretended to be, blissfully ignorant of the younger siblings/friends actions. The three Gryfferins and the Slytherin however were a different story, the previous evening's mischief would be nothing compared to what would come.
Ginny shook hear head at last night's memories. Today was a new day and she had some mischief of her own to pursue. First thing was first, Ginny needed to talk to Mrs. Malfoy about some art.
Ginny was a natural artist, as well as a natural photographer and photographee. She worked closely with Colin at a gallery in Diagon Ally. She worked under the name Ginevra, ensuring that only her closest friends knew of her work, excepting of course any photographs of her.
On afternoon in Diagon Alley, Narcissa happened to walk into the gallery and took an instant liking in Ginevra's work, as did Draco. Both insisted that Colin reveal who the artist was so they could not only buy the Ginevra's work, but have her create other pieces for them. Colin said he would speak with the artist and get back to them or, if she would, have Ginevra get back to them herself.
When Colin informed Ginny of Narcissa's and Draco's demands and insistence on meeting her, she thought about the amount of money she could earn by selling just one piece. She told Colin that she'd get back to the Malfoys, personally.
This is what led Ginny to be standing at the doorstep of the Malfoy Mansion 9:00 that morning, knowing Narcissa is a notorious early riser. She was unsurprised when a house elf answered the door.
"I is begging your pardon miss, but can I be helping you? You is a Weezy, and Mistress and Masters don't be getting along with Weezys."
"I am aware, is Mrs. Malfoy home?" she responding curtly.
"She is, but I is suggesting you don't be bothering Mistress, you is a Weezy."
"I am aware of who I am, thank you, can I-"
"Daisy, who in the bloody hell…" Draco stopped in surprise at his front door to see Ginny Weasley standing in front of him wearing skinny dark jeans, a white shirt and a black vest. Her long auburn hair was in a ponytail with her bangs slightly in her eyes, looking delicious indeed.
Ginny, was having similar thoughts. The annoyance on her faced flickered for a moment when she saw Draco in nothing but dark green pajama pants toweling off his wet hair.
Masking his surprise while Ginny darkened her face, he cocked an eyebrow and smirked saying, "well, well, well, Weaselette, finally here to bow down to your superiors? Looking for a job, I'm sure. Come in little Weasel, I think we can spare a job in the maid quarters for you."
"Shove off Malfoy; I am here to speak with your mother."
Despite the fact that Draco too had asked for Ginevra's work, Ginny most certainly did not want Draco to know that she was actually Ginevra. There were far too many things that could go wrong should he have access to that knowledge.
"Now, now Weaselette, don't speak that way, I can't give you a job if you don't know how to mind your manners."
"Malfoy do not test me this morning, I am not up until 10:00 on a good day without having to see your disgusting face. So, not only has your face ruined my morning, but it has ruined my appetite as well as I have yet to eat breakfast. I suggest you get me your mother unless you'd like me to refresh your memory on exactly how well I cast the Bat Bogey Hex."
Malfoy shut his mouth and lost his smirk, he narrowed his eyes. 'This may be slightly harder than I thought. I do indeed have my work cut out for me,' he thought before saying, "Mother, there is someone here to see you."
Narcissa walked out of a room looking spectacular in a long pale green dress, with her long hair flowing behind her as she walked. "For heaven's sakes, Draco what have I told you about walking around the house like that, and what is the door doing open, what in Merlin's name is going…"
Draco stepped out of the way allowing Narcissa to see who was at the door. Seeing a Weasley and the Ministers daughter at her door made her stop her rant in shock.
"Miss Weasley, what are you doing at my home? You must surely know that the Weasleys and Malfoys have had a blood feud going on for quite some time now."
"I am aware Mrs. Malfoy, however, I think, if you would care to invite me in and escort me to a place where we can talk, that I have something that may be of interest to you."
"Oh? And what, pray tell Miss Weasley, would that be?"
Looking sideways at Draco she took a deep breath, "I am here to talk to you about the artwork of Ginevra."
"Indeed, that Creevey boy said he or Ginevra herself would get back to me. It just goes to show the incompetence of society today. Alright, if you would accompany Draco and I into the Parlor we can carry on."
"Actually I would prefer it if your son were to wait outside while I speak to you before I address his needs."
"Weaselette, you are in no condition to bargain, if you plan on getting paid for your services."
Gritting her teeth and turning towards him she said, "Actually, Ferret, I most certainly am. If I choose not to provide the information about her artwork you will not get you arrogant hands on a single piece of it, and before go on a rant where you start claiming that Ginevra will just get someone else to come here and make deal which will be considerably less than the ones we'll make now because I'll have ruined the chances of a sale, I can tell you for a fact that I am the ONLY person you will be speaking to about her artwork. I am the only person that can be trusted in regards to her artwork," turning back towards Narcissa "Mrs. Malfoy if you want to know anything about her pieces, I'm afraid the only way is through me and I am sorry but I will not discuss anything with him in the room."
'Fiery one indeed, I believe I've found a Weasley I like. This should be an interesting visit indeed.' "Alright Miss Weasley," turning towards her son she said, "Draco! What did I tell you about walking around the house like that! Go upstairs and get dressed this instant!" Turning back towards Ginny, she said, "Miss Weasley, follow me."
Turning on her heal she lead Ginny through a series of hallways and doors until they reached a room that was a cross between a parlor and an office.
Narcissa gave her a gesture that meant both sit and talk. Ginny complied.
"First of all I would like you to understand that the reason I didn't want your son to be a part of this discussion, is not because I don't get along with him." Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "Don't misunderstand me, I don't like your son, at all, but that's not the reason I don't want him here. I don't want him here because I do not want him to know that I am Ginevra. No offence, but I'd hardly be surprised if he were to hold that information against me."
"Quite understandable; I'd like to say not only do I admire your work, but I am quite impressed that you have such talent at your age. Now I am assuming Ginny is short for Ginevra instead of the presumed Virginia?"
"Yes, and while I appreciate your compliment, as young as I may be, I am a business woman, just as ruthless as my brothers. So if you're finished I'd like to get started."
"I am not surprised, though I'd just like to ask a few un-business questions before we get started. I noted the way you handled my son earlier, and I am assuming that you were the Weasley to cast that little bat hex on him a few years ago?"
Ginny smiled at the memory. "Indeed it was me, though, I did have some help. I only cast the one of the spells. It must have been an interesting time trying to reverse the effects. I hope that instance will not affect your interest in my work."
Narcissa smiled as well surprising Ginny. "It was very interesting trying to reverse the effects. Lucius was in frenzy when he saw the state Draco was in. Draco and I are very close as are Blaise and I, whom I know is also close with you and your family. You name and relationships will not affect my interest in your work, however, I would like you to know that I do not share the same views as my husband. While I do have particular views on blood, I prefer to get to know people before I judge them. My problem lay with incompetence rather than blood, and now that Lucius is…well. Now that he's not here the issues are irrelevant. Not only would I like to buy the lighthouse, beach and mermaid paintings, I would like you to paint several magical portraits as well as a few still life paintings. You would get paid not only for your supplies but for the time and quality of your work. The supply cost per painting will be paid up front and you will be paid regularly, once a week for every additional hour you put into the painting. At the completion of your service, you will be paid additionally, based on quality. Draco has a few portraits he would like to negotiate buying from you however, I do not know if he would like you to paint anything. You'll have to ask him when he gets here; we will however refer to Ginevra as a third person like you wish."
"Thank you very much Mrs. Malfoy, I will be working for the Teen Howler, so I cannot give you a time frame but I would most definitely be interested in the portraits which I am assuming, would be of you and your son. I don't know what you have in mind for the paintings but I am interested. I am willing to negotiate pricing for my paintings; however Colin said you were interested in a few of my photographs as well?"
"That would be Draco, but now that you mention it I would be quite interested in the two of my son; you have quite the eye."
"Thank you," said Ginny as she recalled those particular black and white photographs, which Ron gave her hell over. He yelled at her for taking pictures of the enemy and making him look anything less than evil. He said things that implied that he questioned her loyalty. Not only Ginny yelled, but Molly and Hermione as well. Needless to say Ron kept his mouth shut about her art from then on.
Ginny most certainly did have an eye, not just for portraits and photographs, but art in general. She had seen muggle photos they inspired her. The way they can capture a moment, an action, movement and not move fascinated her. Mid-walk, mid run, mid-turn, all in one moment, it was captivating. Still life paintings were just as unfathomable to Ginny. When she took photographs of people, Ginny charmed the photograph so that only certain things would move, the little things, like hair blowing, or people moving in the background. The object of main focus remained unmoving in her photographs, which is made them much more entrancing.
One of the pictures was in the park in Diagon Ally. He had been standing up against a tree with his arms crossed, his face looking out to something in the distance, but calm. His hair slightly tasseled in the wind. His light hair and skin contrasted exquisitely with the dark bark of the tree, the woods behind him and the grass. His skin looked almost luminescent against his always dark clothing.
The other had been just getting off the train at Platform 9 and 3/4. He had just stepped off and was pulling his trunk. The train had just started moving behind him, and his eyes were searching as if looking for someone whilst his head turned off to the right. His hair was again blowing with the breeze the train created. The people hurrying around him some moving, some caught in motion. The blurs of the people and train made his profile stand out as did the contrast it made with his pale skin and sliver blonde hair.
Ginny didn't know why she took those pictures, but she felt compelled to. Sometimes she had to put personal vendettas behind her, in the name of art.
There was a knock on the door, which could only have been Draco. Narcissa got up and walked to the door, opening it.
"Darling, Miss Weasley and I have talked. I have requested the two photographs, both of which are of you, several painting and have requested that Ginevra paint a few others which will be portraits of you and I. Is there anything else you would like to add?"
"Yes, I want the Quidditch painting and photograph set, the sunset photo and painting set, as well as the moon set. I want the painting of the white wolf with the red creature at its feet, as well as the painting of fire fairy and ice dragon. I also want an additional portrait of myself and my mother, however different from whatever poses and settings she chooses. You can tell Ginevra to floo us with the bill. That is all."
To say Ginny was shocked was an understatement. He had picked all of her favorite photos. Not only that, but he picked the two that represented her. The kitten was the red "creature" Malfoy referred to in the wolf painting; it was of her in Animagus form. The wolf however was someone else in Animagus form that came to her in her dreams. Why he wanted that picture she didn't know. The fire fairy was her magical equivalent to her witch and Animagus form. She could speak and call fairies, and fire fairies were the most attractive and most like her. The dragon was always in her dream when she was with fire fairies; she assumed that was the magical equivalent to whoever the white wolf was. "Actually Malfoy, I am equipped to discuss price."
"Actually Weasley, I don't think you are, you can't have possibly known what photographs or what paintings we were going to choose."
"Malfoy name your prices and I will tell you if Ginevra will accept them."
"Mother you go first."
"We already discussed what I'll pay for the paintings Ginerva will do in the future and my son will pay the same. I'll pay 27 galleons for the three paintings and 43 galleons for the two of my son."
"Your offer has been accepted," turning to Draco she said, "Malfoy have you thought of prices or do you still think I am incompetent?"
"You are incompetent, however, I do have my prices for you. I'll pay 27 galleons each for each pair of the three photo/paintings and 56 galleons for the two paintings, nothing more." He knew they were worth way more than that, but he was testing Ginny.
Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Malfoy you and I both know that they are worth far more than that, the photos alone are worth 27 galleons not to mention their counterpart. As for the paintings, they are worth double that at least. Don't try and con me just because I am a Weasley and you think I'm below you, and merely need the money, because I assure you, I won't fall for it. Try again Malfoy."
Draco smirked. 'Feisty one she is. She definitely knows more about art than I expected.' "Alright Weasley, I'll pay the 27 galleon per photo, I'll pay 56 for each counter part and 117 galleons for the two paintings, good enough?"
"You got a deal Malfoy, you can pick up your paintings and such tomorrow, or I can be at the meeting early tomorrow and bring them with me. You will not get your painting without proper payment before hand, which you can give to me now or tomorrow or you can seal it and leave it for Ginevra at the gallery if you choose to pick them up there."
"You can bring them with you to the meeting tomorrow Weasley, if you follow me before you leave, I'll give you the money. Mother do you have anything to add?"
"I just have a question, when can I contact Ginevra about the portraits?"
"I'll inform her and have her get back to you, but the paintings she can do right away. Getting to you is going to be a slight problem but other than that she'll be able to send the other paintings to you as she can do them from home."
"Of course. Draco, will you show Miss Weasley out, I'm afraid I have other matters to attend to. Nice to meet you Miss Weasley, have a lovely afternoon, I'm sure we'll be in touch."
With that Narcissa Malfoy swept out of the room, before Ginny could blink, let alone respond.
"Alright Weaselette, this way," he turned his back on her and went for the door but not before turning his head and saying with a smirk, "and do keep up, we wouldn't want you getting lost," before sweeping out of the room like his mother.
Ginny jumped up and followed him as he strode quickly down various twist and turns of the hallway and through various doors.
Ginny walked out of the Malfoy house with 650 galleons more in her Gringotts account. As soon as she got back home, she owled Narcissa and set up times for her to sit for her portrait. Ginny knew that Malfoy was going to find out sooner or later that she was Ginevra, as she had to paint a portrait of him. She didn't know why she didn't want him to know she was Ginevra, it's not as if he could actually hold anything against her, but for some reason her instincts cried 'NO.' She had a little time before he had to know and until then she had better things to do, like the other paintings. Narcissa said to surprise her, and surprise her she would.
Meanwhile…
Draco was having a difficult time. He couldn't figure out what to make of Ginny Weasley. There was something about her, and that sass, that fire. Ohh did he like that. She was going to be fun, but there was still something about her, something she was hiding, and he'll be damned if he didn't find out.