A/N: Ha, well Theresa I'm glad you like my story, but unfortunately I can't post an update everyday! I'll do the best that I possibly can, though!
I hope to read some more reviews! The more reviews I get, the more I'm inclined to update!
Marcus Flint drummed his fingers against his desk as he waited for his favorite employee to show up. Millicent had given him more than one black eye in school and he had deserved them all, he was sure. His grandfather, however, had faith in the woman…and Augustus didn't bestow his faith on very many people. To be honest, Marcus couldn't agree more with Augustus's assertions; the woman was a brilliant writer. The Quidditch Quarterly edition of the paper had sold over ten million copies this year. That was triple what it had been a year ago! Not to mention the positive feedback he was getting from all over the world.
Per request of Romania, France, Germany and Denmark, the Quidditch Quarterly was to be translated and sent out to them immediately. The profit was unlike anything Marcus had ever seen before…all the more reason to hold on tighter to Millicent.
Speak of the devil, she bustled into office looking cold, tired and…thoroughly kissed. Marcus folded his arms, "Miss Bulstrode, I flooed you almost two hours ago."
Narrowing her eyes, she shook her head, "I'm not working today, Marcus, so can the crap and tell me what you want." He loved playing these mind games with her, making sure she knew that he was higher than her; it made her intensely irritable. Not to mention that she had requested this day of a week ago, he had no right to call her in!
A wicked smiled curled on his lips, "Touchy, touchy Millicent, is that anyway to talk to your boss?"
"I think it's a great way to talk to a man who called me in on my day off and still is not telling me why I am here." She said darkly, folding her arms over her chest. This was not amusing, and Marcus's obvious enjoyment was making her want to give him another black eye.
Sitting back, he picked up a copy of the Quidditch Quarterly. "This was spectacular, Millie. Everyone is raving about it…" He began, stopping to catch a ghost of smile on her lips. "My grandfather would've been proud," He smiled, knowing that would get to her. She and Augustus had been thick as thieves back in the day; he had even left a sizeable chunk of his estate to her. "That's why you're here, Millie. We want to offer you the position of head writer here at the Prophet. You'll get the choice articles, no more third and fourth page garbage. Not to mention the corner office…and perhaps a bonus."
The offer was…astounding. "And what do you get out of this, Marcus?" She asked, eyeing him suspiciously. This was all too good to be true…what was the catch? "I already told you, I'm never going to sleep with you."
A deep chuckle resounded from his throat, "Never say never, Millie! But if I can sell ten million copies of the paper like we did today, Millie I'll give you my office." Reaching out, he extended his hand, "What do you say? Deal?"
"Deal," She answered without a moment's hesitation. Her heart was fluttering excitedly as she clutched her bottle of wine and apparated home. Head writer for the Daily Prophet?! Her hard work had finally paid off and she was being recognized. It wasn't that recognition was important to her; she merely enjoyed having her writing being noticed for its worth.
Yawning, she sat down on the couch. It was half past four in the afternoon and she was already feeling sleepy. Putting her feet up on the futon, she laid back to think about the day. Her date with Fred had certainly started out badly, with his recanting stories about her large bottom. She knew that she had been quite large in school but she didn't like to be reminded of that painful time in her life. After that though, their date had been surprisingly…fun. The look on Fred's face when she paid for the expensive meal had been priceless; his kiss outside the restaurant had been even better.
Still, she had to lie about who she was. That thought shook her out of the sleepy haze. Molly! She had to tell her immediately! Rushing to the fireplace, she grabbed a handful of floo powder, "The Burrow!" Stepping in, she disappeared in a whirl of green light.
The ham cooking mingled with the smell of the lemon cake she had baked earlier on this morning. Molly was smiling broadly knowing her whole family would be coming home for their traditional Sunday dinner. Ham with mashed potatoes, corn, handmade rolls and lemon cake for dessert was on the menu tonight.
"Molly?" Millicent called, poking her head out of the fire, "Are you in?"
Smiling broadly, she clapped her hands against her apron and rushed to the fireplace. "Oh Millicent, how was it?" She asked excitedly, "Come in! Come in! I want to hear everything!"
Laughing, she stepped through the floor and let the overzealous mother take her coat and shoes. "It went very well…in fact, Fred even said he'd owl me." She answered, stepping into the warm kitchen.
"Tea?" She asked, pouring Millicent a cup before she could answer. "I don't mean to be rude but that's what Fred says to all the young ladies I've set him up with." She gave a forlorn sigh, "He says he'll owl and he never does! He's a heartbreaker, that one is. Just like his father…"
Millicent nearly laughed. Arthur, a rake? She couldn't picture the balding father of seven children being anything but Molly's husband. "Well, I think he will. And if he doesn't, I'll owl him."
A smile played on Molly's lips, "Aggressive, I like that in you!" She put a hand to Millicent's face, "Now, what else? Where did he take you?"
Laughing, she sipped her tea. "We went to this little bistro in Hogsmeade and since I didn't like his attitude, I ordered very expensive wine. Don't worry, though, I paid for it."
"YOU paid!" She screeched, looking aghast, "Why, I'll flay that boy alive when I get my hands on him! I taught my boys better than to let the woman pay for meals…and on a first date!" She huffed.
Millicent hadn't expected that particular reaction, "It was a ten thousand galleon bottle of wine, Molly. I merely wanted to gauge his reaction," She covered quickly.
Molly's jaw dropped, "T-ten thousand galleons, my word!" Smoothing her frizzy bob of red hair, she sat down at the table. After a moment, she smiled wickedly. "Did he kiss you?"
A blush spread across her cheeks as she sat down next to her, "I kissed him actually." She laughed, taking another sip of tea, "I aimed for his cheek but we ended up kissing for real."
That was excellent news, Molly acknowledged; he had not kissed any of the other girls she had set him up with. "That's a good start, my dear. Any other details you'd like to share with me?"
Millicent knew this would be the hardest. "Well, I overheard Fred in Zonko's joke shop…he submitted a new product." She could see the look of disdain on Molly's face already, "And…well, when I overheard what he was saying about me, I couldn't very well tell him who I was. So, I used my writing name. Fred thinks he was on a date with Marlene Braedenstock…not Millicent Bulstrode."
For several moments, silence filled the warmth of the kitchen. "I see…" She started, "That complicates things, I suppose. Do you plan on telling him the truth?" The more she spoke to Millicent, the more she liked the girl. She reminded Molly so much of herself when she was a girl…but lying to Fred was something that could complicate everything.
Sighing, Millicent shrugged, "I suppose it'll be up to Fred…if he owls me and we continue this relationship, then yes, I will. If not…well, he'll be none the wiser and I won't have to tell him I lied from the beginning."
Nodding slowly, Molly sat back in her chair. "Sounds like a fair plan, child." Standing once more, she opened the oven to check on the ham.
The smell wafted over the kitchen and Millicent found herself sighing. "That smells delicious," She smiled.
A wicked smirk washed over Molly usually-serene face, "Well you must stay for dinner of course! The whole family will be here! Charlie, Bill, Fleur, all the kids! Oh you must stay!" She gushed and rushed into the other room to grab another chair.
Millicent was left sitting, openmouthed as the older woman gushed about how much fun this was going to be. All Millicent could think of was all the Weasleys and Draco Malfoy…he was not going to let this sit. Marrying Ginny or not, he was the same spoiled git he always was. If they didn't accidentally call her Millicent, they'd forcibly out her as a fraud. She tried in vain to decline until she heard several pops at the family apparition point.
"They're here!" Molly squealed and threw open the door. Fleur stood there, herding three redheaded girls of varying ages into the house while Bill helped her waddle in, Charlie had pushed his wife against the wall and was snogging her quite enthusiastically until he noticed his mother and began smiling sheepishly. George came next through the floo holding a wide eyed baby, clinging onto his old robes, followed close at heel by Penelope who seemed eternally blushing, as if she had just embarrassed herself merely by appearing in someone's presence.
Millicent felt her heart sink when Draco Malfoy strode into the Burrow as if he owned the place, Ginny's arms thrown around his waist and looking rather smug. Ron stood behind, scowling as he led his girlfriend into the house. She felt out of place with all the family, who seemed to be watching her intently.
Fred suddenly burst in, his hair tousled and wind blown, robes torn. "Bloody hell, those Scots fight dirty in Quidditch!" Staggering in, he threw off his coat and scarf before slapping Ron on the back so hard that he choked. His eyes scanned around until they fell on a newcomer amongst them, "Marlene, what are you doing here, love?"
Millicent stood, smiling, "I popped by to talk to your mother a bit and she invited me to stay for dinner. Is that okay?" She could feel all of their eyes on her and Fred. Molly's eyes were brimming with tears, Arthur had lumbered in from his study, Bill and Fleur were cuddled as close together as her swollen belly would allow, hell even Draco Malfoy seemed to smiling…which truly unnerved Millicent.
"Of course, Marlene. I know what it's like to turn down an invite from my mum," A chuckle went through the group. "So are we going to eat or what? I'm starved!"
Molly took that as her cue, "Marlene, would you mind helping me set everything out? Ginny?" Bustling into the kitchen, she didn't wait for an answer.
Ginny sighed and reluctantly untangled herself from her new husband with a gentle kiss. The kitchen held promise today, as she had no idea why Millicent Bulstrode was here and why she was calling herself Marlene. Following after the former-fat-girl, she smiled, "So…you're Fred's new girl?"
Millicent blushed, "Well, we've only been on one date." Tension filled the air as she turned to Ginny, "I know you're probably wondering what the bloody hell is going on. I'm wondering that myself! I just couldn't bring myself to tell who I really was after I heard him making fun of who I used to be…so I gave him my pseudonym, Marlene Braedenstock that I use to write for the Daily Prophet. I…"
Ginny put her hand up, "Mill…Marlene, enough said. We'll keep your secret, Draco and I. And nobody else will notice, they're boys…they're dense." She said with a giggle.
Nodding, she let out a small sigh of relief, "Thank you, I want to wait until the right time to tell him." Molly handed her a large pot of fresh-squeezed pumpkin juice and she placed it on the table where the ham, mashed potatoes and corn had already appeared. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Molly wink and smile at Ginny.
"DINNER!" She yelled at the top of her lungs and the stampede started. Children were strapped into high chairs; seats were taken until everyone had a place…except Millicent. After everyone had settled, she took a seat that had been purposefully left open next to Fred, putting her between him and George.
Slowly, she took her seat and Molly smiled. "I'm glad to see you all; I hope you had a good week. Any announcements?" She was staring at pointedly at Ron who's ears had turned as red as his hair. "Anybody?"
"Florie and I are getting married next year," He finally burst out, unable to hold it in anymore. A flourish of congratulations, pats on the back and a satisfied smirk from Molly were passed around freely.
"Anyone else? Bill? Charlie?" Both boys shook their heads and looked toward Ginny who seemed removed from it all "Ginny? Any news?"
Looking over at them, she laughed. She knew they were waiting for her to announce that she was finally pregnant…but no luck, "None on my end."
"Well no news is good news I suppose!" Arthur smiled amicably. "What about you Mil—"Molly jumped in, "Marlene!" Before Arthur could finish his sentence; he looked puzzled for a moment before nodding, "Marlene."
Smiling, she shrugged, "I was promoted to Head Writer at the Daily Prophet. They liked how I wrote the Quidditch Quarterly so they gave me the job." She found herself looking into shocked faces.
"You wrote it?" Bill asked, awestruck, "I thought that chap Dennigan wrote all the sports…"
She nodded, "Usually he does but a bad case of the Owl Flu swept the Prophet and I picked up a lot of slack. Most of the articles from the past week have been mine."
Charlie, who was sitting on the other side of Fred, patted her back gently. "You did a bloody good job, gal. Bloody good…" He had risked swearing in front of his mother and thought he was safe seconds before he received a slap on the back of the head from his wife.
"Fred? That leaves you, what's in your life?" This time, the voice was George's. He looked past Millicent into his brother's identical eyes. "What about your hot new girlfriend?"
Fred and Millicent both blushed. He folded his arms over his chest, "Yes, George? What would you like to know about her? She's the new head writer at the Daily Prophet and she's an animal in bed…that's more than you can say for Penelope, eh?"
With the entire family looking properly scandalized, George looking ready to beat the pulp from Fred while Millicent was turning an awful shade of beet red, Molly decided it was time to finish up this round of the 'Weasley Sunday Dinner Interrogation'. "Let's remember Percy as we share this meal together…" She wiped a tear from her eye and made her way back to her seat. "Dig in!"
Tentative conversation began to spring up as Bill began to question Charlie on his weekly happenings. A sigh seemed to go through the entire family as side chatter began and then grew to actual civil conversation.
Millicent looked over at Fred who was sullenly spearing ham on his fork and shoving it into his face. Slowly she cut at the ham on her plate and cast her eyes on George who seemed to be watching her quite intently. "Hello…" She said nervously, not wanting to anger him any further.
Sensing her hesitancy, George relaxed a bit. "Hello Marlene, I'm that bum's twin, George…I bet you could tell that already though." Casting a glare over at Fred, he extended his hand and shook hers gently. "Where did you go to school, Marlene?"
Tensing, she tried to remain calm, "I attended Hogwarts, of course. I was a year below you." She nearly swore as she saw Fred perk up, interested.
"You went to Hogwarts, Marlene? I can't say as I ever noticed you…" Fred answered, looking puzzled. "And I'm sure I would've noticed someone as pretty as you."
She took a small bite of ham and chewed it, "Well, I wasn't always like this. I grew into my body as I got older. We were in different houses as well."
Charlie broke into the conversation, "What house were you in, Marlene? Ravenclaw? You seem like a smart gal."
Draco Malfoy caught Millicent's gaze and held it as she spoke, "Actually, Charlie, I was in Slytherin." His lips curled into a smile as Charlie's seemed to become a little frown.
"Slytherin, you say?" Bill repeated, "I just can't see you tangling with the Dark Arts. Did you participate in the Great War?"
Under their scrutiny, she found herself growing more and more embarrassed. "No, I chose not to fight with my parents for Voldemort." A collective shudder went through the group and she apologized quickly, "I'm sorry, I should refrain from using that name."
"No name should evoke fear," Ron answered, smiling gently at her. He, surprisingly, had not flinched. "And we can't blame her for anything done by him, not all Slytherins are evil, you know."
It was Draco's turn to laugh, "Why thank you, Weasley!"
"I didn't mean you, Draco, all Malfoys are evil." He retorted, staring disgustedly into the face of his brother-in-law. How his sister had fallen in love and married a pointy ferret was beyond him. But with his mother giving him death-glares, he decided to drop that subject, "The ham's really good mum."
A murmur of approval went through them and Molly beamed, "Thank you, children!"
Once again, dinner went back to more pleasant conversations before George leaned over to Millicent again. "So, how long have you been dating my brother?" He asked, looking innocent as Penelope gave him a nudge.
"Well, we went out on our first date this afternoon. We went to this little—"
"You had sex on the first date!" He hissed quietly, looking shocked. This time he had to glare at Penelope who had elbowed him hard in the ribs.
Fred threw his fork down, standing up. "Would you leave her alone, George?" He snapped, "It's none of your business who I shag, when or how. Why don't you take your saint of a wife home and pretend you really wanted to marry her because you love her."
"Fred!" Molly gasped, looking as if she had taken a bite of something extremely sour.
Leaning down, he pushed Millicent's head back and kissed her, hard and deep. This was not like their first kiss in Hogsmeade; he was insistently pressing his tongue into her mouth, exploring her soul with his. His hands reached up and entangled in her curly dark hair.
They broke apart, breathing heavily. Millicent looked into his dark brown eyes and saw nothing but fury there. Looking down, she took her napkin off her lap and placed it on the table. "I've infringed long enough, I apologize." Standing, she brushed past Fred, "Molly, thank you so much for your excellent cooking and I'll owl you."
Fred sighed, his chest tight with anger at George for ruining a day that was supposed to be about family, "Marlene, wait…you don't have to go."
"I don't really want to hash this out in front of your family, Fred. Owl me if you want, if you don't I'll owl you. Either way, we'll be in touch." Anger was filling her; he was using her as a vendetta against…who? His family? They seemed to like her, with the exception of George. It felt like he was using her and it hurt. "Excuse me." Striding to the fireplace, she grabbed a handful of floo powder, "Flat B, Knockturn Alley!" In a rush of green light, she disappeared.
Molly stood up, "George, Fred, I hope you're happy!" She screeched, sending them both away from the table with no dessert. "I didn't raise a bunch of hoodlums," She muttered, shaking her head angrily. Even Arthur looked positively irate.
Ginny stood, "Mum, I'm just going to check on her."
"That doesn't mean you're getting out of helping clean up, Ginerva!" Molly answered, folding her arms over her large bosom.
"Wouldn't dream of it, mum," She answered but silently cursed. Her mother was very set in her ways. To Molly, a woman's place was in the home barefoot and pregnant. Ginny merely holding a job in the ministry was a family scandal that was brought up every family dinner; she was glad to escape without being harped on. For that, she had Millicent to thank…and it was time to return the favor.
Grabbing some powder she threw it in, "Knockturn Alley, Flat B!"