Chapter 8

Ginny at the Malfoy Mansion

As the large black limousine pulled up in the driveway Narcissa Malfoy called excitedly to her Husband.

'He's arrived at last and that Weasley girl did decide to come.' Lucius came and stood by his wife at the window on the second floor and observed the two people exiting his car. There was his son. The spitting image of what he himself had looked like at seventeen right down to the way he held out his hand to help the girl out of the car. As she stood on the gravel Lucius focused his attentions onto her. Weasley's youngest, his only daughter. She was of average height but had a slim build. Her hair was quite long and very, very red. How unfortunate he said to himself. She was taking in the sights that beheld her. It was obviously the first time she had ever been to house of this scale he imagined. Lucius felt his wife tug on his arm.

'We must go and greet them.' Together they exited the bedroom and proceeded downstairs to the entrance hall. Draco and the Weasley girl were already their, handing their coats over to Yearns, the Butler. Narcissa held out her arms to her son and obligingly, but unwillingly Malfoy entered them. He was instantly smothered with kisses. Lucius turned to the girl who held out her hand.

'I'm Ginny Weasley' she told him. They shook hands. In that moment both parties were sizing the other up. Ginny came to the conclusion that Draco's father could be dealt with easily enough. Judging by the way his was looking at her, appearances would get her far in this household. Lucius himself decided that this girl wasn't like any of the other Weasley's he had had the displeasure of meeting. The look on her face and her entire posture suggested that she seemed to know precisely where she was heading in life and, more of less how to get there. He half-smiled at her.

'Charmed.' Draco and his mother had finished their hearty embrace and Narcissa turned to Ginny

'We're pleased that you could make it here for the festive season.' Though Narcissa was smiling at Ginny, it was rather strained. Ginny shook her hand too and replied

'It's kind of you to have me. It's just a shame I wasn't consulted on whether I wanted to spend Christmas here or with my own family.' She stared into Narcissa's eyes and Narcissa stared back, each waiting for the other to speak. There was an uneasy silence. Draco decided to break it.

'Ginny, if you follow Yearns he will take you to your room.' And, taking his mother's arm left Ginny standing alone in the hall.

'My God' muttered Ginny as the door closed behind her. Yearns, the Butler had escorted her to here. He had only spoken to her as they had reached the door.

'This is your room. It has a bathroom attached. Dinner is at seven O'clock. Formal dress is required.' Now Ginny stood in the doorway to her room. Never in her entire life had she stayed in a place this huge. The room itself was large enough to fit her whole house in, she imagined. There was a king size bed against one wall and opposite a dressing table. The wardrobes spanned the entire width of the room and a small door at the side held a bathroom behind it. The walls were covered with ancient portraits, famous pieces of art and even a few sculptures, hung from the ceiling. The floor was wooden but with a gigantic rug covering the space between the bed and window opposite. The view out of the window was priceless itself. Immediately below the window was a wonderful garden. At the moment any plants that were alive were tinged with frost. In the summer, it would be spectacular, Ginny imagined. Past this, was a short walkway under a cascade of trees. The path led to a humongous lake and, past that Ginny could only see a forest, as big as the one at Hogwarts she imagined. There was a tiny pop and instantly Ginny's trunk appeared at the end of her bed. Another pop and it opened, and began unpacking itself, all her things taking themselves to the corresponding parts of the room. Ginny watched her nightdress fold itself under a pillow. So this is how life was led in the Malfoy Mansion. No wonder Draco was so lazy; he didn't even unpack his toothbrush.

Half an hour later Ginny threw herself on her bed. What with all her unpacking done by magic, there was nothing for her to do. Dinner was hours away. She wondered what to wear. Yearns had said formal but she didn't own a formal dress, only her mother's old dress robes. And she couldn't use magic, it was the holidays. After thinking for a few more minutes Ginny got up. She was going to explore the house and get her bearings, and if she happened to meet any of the Malfoy family or staff she would ask them what to wear. Ginny left her room, pausing only to lock it and make sure she knew where it was, nearly all the doors looked the same. As she made her way around the house, pausing here and there to look into room, Ginny heard voices. At first she thought it was some of the staff having a gossip until she heard her name mentioned in a strained female voice.

'I must say it's a terrible inconvenience having the Weasley girl here. What with all the parties we have to hold and balls to attend. Everyone will want to know who she is and if she looks a disgrace, well, it will reflect badly on us. People will say that Draco had chosen a girl who looks like she lives in a pig sty.'

'Strictly speaking she does' chuckled a boy, who Ginny instantly recognised as Draco himself.

'Enough Draco' a silky voice called. We can't have you insulting our guests in such a blatant manner. You must learn to be more discreet.'

'I just hope she manages to look decent enough tonight. Though I doubt she'll look in her wardrobe and see the dresses I've left for her. She'll probably turn up in second hand dress robes or something ghastly like that. And she's far too proud to ask for advice.'

'What's the dress code again mummy?' enquired Draco.

'Don't fret pet, I've left your robes out on your bed' Narcissa simpered. The voices died away, as the people moved further into the room. Slowly Ginny extracted herself from the gap behind a statue where she had hidden in case they came out. The exploration of the house now firmly out of her head Ginny quickly made her way back to her room. Once inside, Ginny went over to her trunk.

'Blast-ended Screwts' she cried as she remembered that it was empty. Now, she though to herself, if you were a mirror, where would you be?

'Harry?' Ginny called tentatively into the mirror she held in her hand. Nothing. 'Harry.' She called again but this time with more conviction. Still nothing. 'Harry Potter' bellowed Ginny at the mirror face. A moment later a picture swirled into view. A bemused Harry was looking back out of the mirror at Ginny.

'Hey, hey no need to shout I was on my way, just couldn't find the blessed thing. What's the trouble?' his face changed 'have the Malfoys been difficult with you?'

'No no not yet,' smiled Ginny. 'I was actually after Katie's help.' Harry looked surprised a moment later his picture had gone and was replaced with one of Katie. Her hair was very tousled and she looked a bit put out but grinned all the same.'

'What can I do Gin?'

'How on earth do you style your hair without magic?' Ginny asked. She had to be to the point. There was no time to loose.

'Err generally I use sprays and lotion. Things like that. Depending on what I want my hair to do I use a hairdryer, curling tongs and straightners. Why?'

'Would you be able to send these things to me by the floo network, I need them for the holidays' Ginny pleaded with Katie. After a moments pause Katie nodded her head

'Sure they'll arrive in a moment. Bring them with you back to Hogwarts.'