Disclaimer: I disclaim.
A/N: This is the longest so far. I think long chapters are infinitely better than short ones. Anyways, I'm not sure of the merit of this one. See for yourself…
Above and Beyond
Chapter 4 - Reunions
'Ginny, dear, so lovely to see you again. How's work going? Oh my gods, darling, your hair!' Molly Weasley fussed over her only daughter, as usual, as she stepped into the kitchen of the Burrow.
'Let it alone, Mum, I just felt the need for a change. Work's fine, anyways.' Ginny didn't give herself time to think about what she had gotten herself into this morning. 'How's Dad and everyone?'
'Everyone's perfect, love.' Mrs. Weasley looked hard pressed to refrain from the urge to cluck her tongue disapprovingly. Ginny glared at her until she calmed down.
'You know your father, always tinkering with some Muggle artifact or the other. This month it's some gizmo called an Ipod. Goodness knows that man is never satisfied with just one. Last week it was a walkman. I don't know where he gets these things.'
As she spoke, Mrs. Weasley bustled around the cluttered kitchen preparing tea for Ginny and herself. She would glance at the enchanted clock every so often, as if she expected company. Ginny, caught up in her own thoughts, was too busy to notice anything amiss and gave a guilty start when her mother tweaked her nose. She looked at her apologetically.
'I said,' her mother repeated slowly 'When was the last time you heard from Harry?' Her mother had a mischievous look in her eye as she completed the question.
Gin blushed faintly. Her mother still managed to embarrass her with such personal questions.
'I told you, Mum,' she began sternly 'Harry and I broke up years ago. It wouldn't have worked out, what with him cavorting after the Dark Lord and all, with Ron and Hermione traipsing after him. I don't think he's ready for a relationship right now.'
'I think a relationship is just what that boy needs. He looks too lonely. Besides Ron has Hermione, it seems everyone is just pairing up.' she said this last bit with a meaningful glance in Ginny's direction.
Ginny rolled her eyes. It was just like her mother to set up another ill-fated matchmaking attempt between her and Harry. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell her to do no such thing when the door opened to admit her brother, his wife, and the object of their discussion. Merlin, Ginny thought, can my day get any worse?
'Gin!' her brother exclaimed, before enveloping her in a bear-like hug.
'Hi, Ron.' She said, hugging him back. 'Hi, Hermione, Harry.' She hugged her friends before turning back to her mother and giving her a warning glare. She pretended not to notice. Ginny gritted her teeth; 24 years old and her mother still felt the need to interfere in her personal life.
'Nice hair, Gin.' Hermione said, smiling.
Ginny nodded her thanks. She noticed Harry eyeing her new hair appreciatively, and didn't feel even the vestiges of a flutter in her abdomen. There go all Mum's hopes, she thought wryly.
'What have you guys been up to?' she asked the trio, hoping to distract her mother from any Harry-oriented schemes. Eight years since Hogwarts and they still did most everything together.
'We went to check out houses.' He replied. 'You know me and 'Mione plan to move out on our own soon.'
Ginny nodded, she remembered Hermione mentioning house hunting a few weeks ago. 'So Ron, any plans for your birthday?' she asked, attempting a cheerful tone.
At this everyone clammed up. Hermione's eyes darted to Mrs. Weasley, and Harry stared studiously at the ground. Ron, alone appeared amused. Ginny raised an eyebrow in question, and someone cleared their throat. Ron was now looking around in mild curiousity, and Hermione sent Ginny a glance that said we'll talk later. Ginny couldn't help smirking. Surprise, surprise.
'Well, none that I know of.' Ron said carefully. Ginny laughed and even Hermione cracked a smile. Ginny caught Harry's eye; the green orbs were twinkling mischievously. It was the first she had seen him look so happy since… Anyways, she rather thought this party was as much for Ron as it was for him. She smiled at him and he grinned in return.
'Well, Mum, I've got to be off. Give my regards to Bill and Charlie and their families in your next owl. Say hallo to Dad for me as well.' She hopped off the stool she was sitting on and gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek.
'Hermione, I'm terribly sorry, but I've got to cancel on our lunch date. Something's come up at work.' Ginny said before walking out the door.
The older witch nodded.
'Just be sure to owl me and Luna to reschedule. We've got to discuss- erm- things.' She blushed faintly and Ginny couldn't resist another smirk. She waggled her fingers and waved to the rest as she Disapparated on the porch.
Ginny looked around Diagon Alley and narrowed her eyes against the sunlight. She headed in the direction of her brothers' shop Weasley's Wizard Wheezes; she hadn't paid them a visit in several weeks. Pushing open the door, she heard the familiar bell tinkle and looked up at the counter to see the also familiar face of Verity, the twins' shop girl since Ginny was in 5th year.
'Hello, Verity.' Ginny said brightly. Her mood was really beginning to improve. 'The boys' here?'
The store clerk nodded.
'They're in the back, Ginny, you can go right in.'
Ginny said thank you and moved past her to the back of the store.
'Um, Ginny,' Verity began. 'They're experimenting again, so be careful.'
Ginny nodded to show she heard and continued into what the twins liked to call their 'laboratory'.
'Fred, George, I'm coming in so don't blow anything up right now!' she called as she stepped into the unusually dark room.
'Ginny!' she heard Fred's voice. She was sure it was Fred, only it had been muffled.
'Hit the lights, bozo.' She heard George mutter and couldn't help smiling.
The room was bathed in golden light as both twins stood up from behind a crammed workbench. They dusted each other off muttering imprecations about the instability of Bowtruckle eggs when combined with Venomous Tentacula seeds. She waited until they remembered she was there; it didn't take long. They both turned at the same moment, faces lighting up as they saw her.
'Ginny!' George effused, 'Long time no see.'
'Can't spare an hour out of you busy, orphan-rescuing day to come see your favourite twins, can you?' Fred teased lightly.
Ginny laughed and walked across the cluttered room to hug them.
'I know, I'm sorry, I've missed you guys.'
'Yes well, can't say the same.' George smirked.
'Yeah, we've got this new red-haired baby sister to annoy and tease now, we don't need you anymore.' Fred grinned.
'Speaking of hair, great do, sis.' George said, winking.
'Oh shut up, you two,' Ginny said, playfully punching Fred on the arm.
They lounged against an abandoned bench in the corner stretching out their characteristically long legs.
'So, Gin, what brings you here?'
'Not a present for dear brother, I hope.'
'Actually, yes' Ginny replied sheepishly. 'I honestly forgot and now I've no idea what to get him. Any ideas?'
They glanced at each other.
'How about a chess set?' George asked innocently.
Fred shook his head and looked serious.
'I think you should talk to Hermione first, Ginny, then decide what to get him.'
George nodded solemnly, looking at his twin. Ginny's brows furrowed in confusion. Why should I talk to Hermione? How will that help me decide what to get Ron or his birthday?
'Wha- ' she started to ask, but Fred cut her off
'Anyways, sis, we've got lots of work to do, you actually interrupted us working on some new merchandise- '
'Yes,' George picked up, 'So if you'll excuse us…'
Ginny shrugged.
'Okay, I'll talk to Hermione. See you guys tomorrow.' She added before she walked out of the store.
She walked to a nearby Apparition point and spun on the spot to arrive outside her office. Walking in, she remembered that she hadn't asked Mr. Vann when her job was starting. She walked purposefully to his office and entered after giving a cursory knock.
'Mr. Vann,' she began walking into the room, 'I forgot to ask when I'd be needed by Mr. Malfoy- '
She stopped short. There, in the room, speaking to Mr. Vann was her soon-to-be employer: Draco Malfoy. Ginny never fancied herself swoon-able like the girls she had known at Hogwarts like Lavendar Brown or a few others she could mention, so her reaction to seeing Draco in the room surprised her.
She'd gasped, but not very loudly she hoped. He looked so- different from when they were at school. Older, of course, but somehow, indefinably, attractive? Her brain protested even as her other senses clamoured their acquiescence. That she should find Draco Malfoy attractive? Impossible! Yes, he had always been good-looking, everyone knew most of the girls had drooled over him back at school, but he was the sworn enemy of her family. The hatred had died down after the war when Lucius alone of the Malfoys went berserk at Voldemort's downfall. Still, seeing him now, like this, in an enclosed room, quite unnerved her.
She needn't let them see that. She cleared her throat loudly.
'Mr. Malfoy,' she greeted, extending her hand to him.
He gave her a brief once-over with his brows slightly contracted as though trying to place her in his memory. Of course, Ginny thought with a twinge of annoyance, he doesn't remember me. She thought she'd have made an impression, albeit a somewhat negative one.
'Ginevra Weasley.' She helped, trying not to let her impatience show. He continued to look somewhat puzzled.
'Ron Weasley's sister.' She clarified finally, showing tinges of exasperation.
His eyes showed recognition and his lips twitched as if he were about to smirk. Ginny didn't know how to interpret that so she ignored it.
'Mr. Malfoy, I trust everything is fine with the children.' She said instead.
'Yes,' he replied with an air of detachment, 'Yes, the children are fine. I just came by to personally check up on- ' his eyes shifted away '- you.'
Ginny's eyebrows rose. Well he certainly was honest. His eyes, shifty a few moments ago had suddenly turned a smoky gray as they traversed the length of her body. Ginny blushed faintly as he scrutinized her but held her ground. When his eyes again found her face, his lips tilted in what Ginny knew was a definite smirk. Damn him, Ginny thought furiously. Mr. Vann cleared his throat and she startled guiltily. She turned to face her boss; he was wearing a satisfied smile. She frowned. What was wrong with the men in this room?
'Mr. Vann,' she began, turning her back on Malfoy, 'when exactly will I be starting?'
'I think that's up to Mr. Malfoy, Weasley.' He said, forcing her attention back to the other man in the room.
Ginny scowled. Draco smirked. Mr. Vann gave a slight cough.
'I'd like you to start as soon as possible, Ms. Weasley.' He said matter-of-factly.
'What will my hours be?'
'Your hours?'
'Yes, Mr. Malfoy, how often will I be expected to look after the children?'
'I don't think you understand, Ms. Weasley, you'll be required to look after the children at all times.'
Ginny barely stopped her mouth from dropping open in shock. She looked wordlessly form employer to employer.
'Surely you can't expect me to be with them all day every day?'
'I am afraid, Ms. Weasley, that that is exactly what I mean. Didn't Mr. Vann inform you of this?' Now he looked vaguely confused.
Ginny clenched her jaw and glared at Mr. Vann.
'No,' she ground out 'He didn't.'
'But what about my family? If I have obligations?' she was struggling now and she was aware of it.
'I'm sorry Ms. Weasley, but you could still refuse this assignment.'
Draco's tone was now conciliatory and getting on Ginny's nerves.
It was the type of tone she was sure he used on uncooperative clients at his firm and it didn't warm her to his character. The thing was, she wanted this job. She didn't want turn down the offer. But her family would have such strong objections. Her brothers especially; Bill and Ron seemed to take it upon themselves to be her self-appointed guardians.
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
'May I have a few days to think this over and er- prepare?'
Now it was Draco's turn to scowl.
'No, Ms. Weasley, I need your services immediately.'
Ginny didn't like how that sounded. She frowned.
Draco raised an eyebrow in what Ginny assumed was supposed to be a substitute for an apology.
'Ms. Weasley, I'm sure other people will be willing to take this job if you cannot.' He sounded like she was getting on his nerves. Good, the feeling was mutual.
Ginny narrowed her eyes in anger; she wasn't used to being harried.
'You start tomorrow, at five.' He clipped 'Don't be late.' He stood and left the office.
Ginny stared after him, with mixed feelings of exasperation and anger. Behind her, Mr. Vann watched the entire exchange with an amused and knowing smile.
A/N: Well what are you still doing reading this?! REVIEW! REVIEW! Please )