Living in the Muggle World- Draco and Pansy

'Can't you make that horrible racket stop' cried Pansy to the nurse who was holding a baby. 'It really doesn't do anything for my temper and as I was disturbed three times in the night with this perpetulant wailing I am not in the mood to be tolerant.'

'I beg your pardon 'mam but there's nothing I can do. Sometimes a baby has just gotta cry.'

'Utter stuff and nonsense. I never cried as a baby. If you cannot keep that child from wailing then you will be dismissed. You have been warned. Now take that thing away before I slap it.' The nurse scurried away as fast as she could and the continual crying sound began to diminish. 'Really some people are so slow you have to spell everything out for them' commented Pansy and she crooked her finger and a maid darted forward to do her hair. 'You would think that she'd never looked after a baby before in her life.'

'She hasn't' answered Draco from the adjoining dressing room. 'She was employed not because of her skills as a nanny but because she can keep her trap shut and does what I ask.'

'And am I allowed to enquire as to what that is?' simpered Pansy.

'She is spying on the Weasley girl for me. I have her every moved chartered and analysed.' Pansy looked up, shocked.

'But darling Draco why? You've got me now, not that silly little redhead.'

'Because I need to marry a woman who can become the most 'respected hostess'. It is my duty as the only Malfoy heir.' Pansy looked indignant.

'And why not me? Aren't I as pretty and popular as any redhead? Can I not charm the birds from the trees when the mood suits me and can I not be the most gracious hostess there ever was.' She mimicked a curtsey and promptly fell over.

'And in your list you failed to mention two, vital ingredients.'

'What are they? Baby Draco, tell me and I'll acquire them at once; I'll go to classes and get a tutor in the area. Is it dancing? Is it music? Is it cooking? Because all of those areas can be amended.'

'Woman, you have the patience of a flea and the intellect of a worm. Without either of those qualities, a girl can never dream of being the most 'respected hostess. It is an honour that only those, who excel in every aspect, can ever hope to achieve.'

'Then why did you get rid of her as you school wife and choose me instead?' retorted Pansy. 'I must have some redeemable qualities for me to be chosen over her.'

'You, my sugar-plum are a mere diversion. I can keep you happy, with servants, clothes and socialising. For a school project, you are the easiest of wives. For a life-long partner you are intolerable.

'And how, may I ask, do you plan on attracting that girl's attention? I doubt there is much that you can offer her that she wants that is any different to what she has at the moment. I have my spies too Draco. I hear that Miss Weasley is rapidly becoming a successful model in her own right. And I hear that she and the Longbottom boy are making a success of their relationship. Good thing too as she's going to have to marry him for real some day. I actually feel a tiny bit sorry for her. Yes that reminds me Draco, how are you going to marry her if she's contracted to marry Longbottom. I doubt even you could get round that.'

'It's true, that was a minute disruption to my plans but I have nevertheless overcome it. And as to what I can offer her- there is a great deal I can provide should she desire it.'

'How?'

'That my dear, would be telling' answered Draco, planting a kiss on Pansy. 'Have a good day doing whatever it is you do.'

'What I do is care for the brats the school gave us. As you well know, I have been given mine and Neville's kid, and yours and Ginny's. And that bratty baby. I hardly find it fair Draco, you swan off all day and I have to stay at home and nurse those immature squirts.'

'You do nothing of the sort, if I go by my bank account. Nurses, nannies, Opears, and only for this one week. I doubt you see the kids.'

'Oh believe me Draco, I may not see them, but I sure as hell here them. And I have to ensure they are happy or we jeopardise our chances of passing this course. I have our interests at heart. If I didn't I'd leave the brats in a cupboard for the week. Now, where's my makeup.' Pansy turned back to the mirror and began applying blusher. Draco sighed and left the room.

'I'll be wanting the car for half twelve.' Draco exited through the door held open by the Chauffeur who nodded at his comment. In seven quick steps he had entered the Future Operations and Experiences building, his place of work. The receptionists smiled and buzzed him through the gates. A porter called a lift for him and sent it to the thirty-ninth floor, one below the penthouse. When he arrived, Grace, his receptionist greeted him smiling and handed a list of phone calls he had received. Draco entered his private office and sat down in the suede chair on wheels (the best bit in Draco's opinion). And so his day began.

Draco was an apprentice to a world class entrepreneur. He was learning all about the advantages and risks of creating a new business. He was learning to assess all kinds of financial markets, from housing, to employment ratings, the FTSE, to average incomes. Anything that could be predicted and put in a chart, Draco had been taught to analyze. And, he was enjoying it. Back at Hogwarts, Draco had sworn that he would not enjoy wherever they sent him to work, that there would be no use to it and in the magical world there wouldn't be need for whatever job he had. He'd been wrong. The tricks he was learning here would be useful. Although it was never so brutally worded, he was learning, manipulation, deceit and cunning- but in ways that couldn't be traced.

'Your car sir,' his receptionist buzzed through. Draco rose to his feet, checked his appearance in the full length mirror and made his way down to the car. The journey was short and without events, although, Draco considered, if he could use the Floo network, he wouldn't need to allow for any travelling time.

'Cuplett Hall' announced his Chauffeur.

'Wait here' commanded Draco 'I shouldn't be long.' He left the car and made his way round the back entrance, reserved for the famous and elite and the participants of the fashion show. A flash of a pass and he was waved through by burley security guards.

It was pandemonium. There were people everywhere, most of them rushing and looking incredibly stressed. Several women pushed roughly past Draco and into a dressing room. A man holding a camera was being escorted out of the building by more security men and an old lady was walking round jangling a bucket, collecting money for charity causing her to be in everyone's way. Draco made his way along the corridor, towards a large dressing room filled with women. He went to the chair nearest the door and sat down in it. Nobody stopped him, they knew. He glanced at the dressing table; his flowers were sitting there in full view of anyone who walked in. Draco amused himself with the paper for an hour or so before the door to the room opened and a torrent of girls arrived giggling and joking as they came. Ginny was among the throng. She looked, as always, spectacular. She spotted Draco at her table and came over smiling.

'Thank-you for the flowers, everyone has been green with envy.'

'How did the show go?' Draco moved out of the seat so that Ginny could sit. She began removing her makeup with quick, experienced wipes.

'Fairly well. We were all late for the second round of coats because one of the runners knocked over the entire rack. Every garment lost its hanger and the name of the person to wear it. I doubt we will see him back again tomorrow.' She laughed easily and scrapped her hair back into a bun. 'You didn't come and watch today?'

'As much as it grieved me to miss people parading up and down a runway in clothes I will never wear I had more pressing matters to attend to. But I am free now to escort you to a late lunch.' He extended his arm 'would you do me the honour Miss Weasley?' He smiled and she laughed as she took his arm.

'The pleasure is all mine Mr Malfoy.'

Draco clicked his fingers and a waiter hurried over with the bill. As he reached inside his jacket for his wallet, he saw Ginny pull a purse from her bag. 'No, it's my treat' he told her.

'We should go dutch it's only fair' replied Ginny going to glance at the total. Draco moved his fingers so it was covered.

'I insist, you honoured me with your presence. Besides, if you saw how much this meal had come to I think you'd faint.'

'One thing I never do Draco, is faint- as you should well know.' A swift glance at his face showed that he was teasing. She smiled too. Ginny was pleased that they had managed to overcome their differences. When he had first showed up at a photo-shoot she'd been doing, completely by coincidence she'd been worried that he would mock and insult her, but he'd been a perfect gentleman. He had attended many of the shows she'd done since then and every time sent her a small good luck gift before hand. Neville never thought of that, nor Harry. Harry always wished her good luck and Neville asked her how it went but Draco was the only person who knew exactly when and where she was. Ginny was surprised that she didn't find this more irritating, instead she found it quite endearing. She supposed that she also felt a bit guilty at the fact that Draco and Pansy had been lumbered with Ralph. It was simply because that with the hours she and Neville worked, it wasn't possible for them to care for a child. And Pansy didn't have a job. Draco interrupted her thoughts

'I have a proposition for you Ginny.'

'I don't like the sound of that. The last time you had one of them I was nearly druggist and forced into submission.'

'Well, this could be along the same lines. If you recall, you did end up accepting me at a later date. There is a certain, spark a connection between us. You can't deny it. We get on well, we are very similar. And I admit I was trying to mould you before into what I thought I wanted as a wife. I've realised now that I want you, just as you are. Now I'm not proposing' he quickly said seeing Ginny's horror filled face 'I'm just saying that I would like you to consider us as an item again.'

'But what can you offer me to tempt me away from what I've already got' she gestured dramatically 'a man who loves the bones off me and would go to the ends of the earth for me, who would do his best to make me happy for the entirety of his life and would always put my needs first.' Ginny sat back and smiled. She'd got him. Draco knew that she wouldn't consider him just for his money or for what he could do for her career. He had nothing. Draco looked at her carefully and answered simply

'Freedom.'