Disclaimer: Yep, I own it all. (Not). Don't sue.

-.-.-

Ginny had stayed up late that night, sulking about the break-up over hot tea and a good bok. She paid the price for it the next morning - she would be late for work if she didn't hurry.

Quickly, she showered and dressed, completely skipping breakfast before apparating to her work at Diagon Alley. She rushed in the door, nearly knocking over a sign featuring their latest merchandise.

"Weasley! You're two minutes late. That's not like you, what happened?" her boss, Gerard, asked from the stock room.

"Sorry Mr. Hanson, it won't happen again," she replied, stashing her wallet and keys in her wall locker.

"Flip the sign, will you? It's nearly nine," he said, rearranging boxes from the recent shipment. She obeyed, turning the sign from closed to open. The first customer came in 45 minutes late.

Ginny heard the door open, then slowly shut. "I'll be right with you!" she called from the back. She finished stacking boxes and came out, only to see a tall blond man from her schooldays.

"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" she asked in shock.

"Is that how you treat all of your customers, Weasley?" he drawled.

"I-.. uh... no," was all she could manage to say.

Malfoy rolled his eyes, "Is Mr. Hanson here? I don't have time for this," he said, looking around the store for Gerard.

"He's stepped out for the moment, but I'm sure I can help you. I do work here, you know,"

The door opened again, and Ginny spotted Seamus. She tried to hide her face in her hand whilst pretending to be scratching her forehead.

"Ginny, can we talk? I feel so bad for having to tell you that way, it's just - wait, Malfoy? What are you doing here?"

Draco rolled his eyes once more, "For your information, Finnigan, I do busines with Mr. Hanson, you nosey twit. What are you doing here?" he added with sarcasm.

"I broke up with Ginny last night and wanted to - I don't have to tell you anything!" he tried to catch himself. Too late.

The fierce redhead's face was completely buried in her hands now, an attempt to hide a massive blush that clashed with her hair.

"So that's why you're so PMSy this morning, Weasley," Draco smirked.

Ginny lifted her head and glared at the unwanted men before her. "Malfoy, you're the second-to-last person I want to see today, let alone ever. Seamus, you are the last. So please, I'm asking politely. Get out!" she shouted, pointing at the door.

Seamus' body fell in defeat. "Well, I know a dismissal when I see one... but please owl me when we can talk; I really want you to understand..." he trailed, and left with a small bow.

Draco watched him leave, then looked at Ginny with another smirk.

"Malfoy, stop smirking and tell me what you want so you can spare us both the misery."

His expression became business-like and he cleared his throat with a soft cough. "You should have received a shipment of iMagics and I am here to purchase them in bulk," he stated simply.

"Well, fancy that, our shipment didn't come so you'll just have to come back next week when Mr. Hanson is here," she lied, rushing him out the door.

"Good try, Weasley. I watched Mr. Hanson sign for the shipment at seven this morning."

"What, are you stalking him or something? I didn't know you swung that way, Malfoy," she said with her own smirk.

"First of all, I just happened to be in Diagon Alley when I saw it. And secondly, I am not a homosexual, and though there is nothing wrong with 'swinging that way', I am very much into women." he said outloud. His thoughts reminded him, I just have to ignore them for the next forty or so days.

Ginny inwardly cursed at herself; he always found ways to embarrass her.

"Honestly, Malfoy," she started with a sigh, "I haven't finished going through the boxes and wouldn't know where to start. I'll have Mr. Hanson floor or owl you when we stock them." she offered, attempting to straighten the counter she stood behind.

"That won't work for me. I need them by one this afternoon. I'll be back at half-past eleven to pick them up. Have them ready by then," he replied, with a turn of his body for the door. Ginny's stomach growled loudly. Draco's head whipped back to view the redhead. Her hand covered her stomach, hoping to silence her hunger. "Eat something, will you? You're skinny enough as it is, and your empty stomach will scare off customers," he said, walking out the door. Ginny barely heard him, but glared as he disappeared into the growing crowd outside.

"Pompous ass," she muttered under her breath, continuing to her work. She had many customers that morning, making it very difficult to go through the many boxes. Malfoy showed up early, closer to eleven than half-past it. Ginny barely made any progress by the time he returned. She didn't want to hear him complain, or even tell Mr. Hanson she was doing a poor job.

When the bell in the doorjam jingled, Ginny groaned. She would have looked him in the eye, but that would mean an interruption in searching for the damn contraptions he wanted in the first place, "Malfoy, I'm doing the best I can and I don't like to be rushed. Besides, since when do you-"

"Get your stuff." he interrupted.

"What? Did you get me fired? Malfoy, I swear, just because I haven't found what you're looking for doesn't mean I should lose my job. I tried really hard to get this position and I intend on keeping it as long as possible. Why do you think you can get my fired for something as simple as-"

"Get your stuff. We're going to lunch." Draco interrupted again. He headed for the door and nearly left without her.

"I can't just leave the store because you want to act like you're off your rocker and go to lunch!" Ginny replied, shocked at his second interruption.

"I owled Mr. Hanson. He said it's time for your lunch break anyway. When we come back," he sighed in - was it aggravation or defeat? She would never know. "When we come back, I'll help you find them so I can be on my way," Draco explained.

Ginny quickly grabbed her keys and wallet, praying they wouldn't go anywhere too expensive for the cash she had at the moment. She changed the sign back to 'closed' and locked the door behind her. "Well, where are we going? How long is my lunch break? Why are you going to help me find the iMagics?" she threw questions at him like rapid-fire.

"Do you always ask so many questions, Weasley?" he shot back. His black cloak moved gently with his steps. He had long legs and large strides, making it difficult for the small redhead to keep up with him.

"Yes. Why do you walk so fast?" Draco sighed in frustration.

"Crislee's Cafe, an hour, because I said so, and I'm tall. In that order." he replied. She took a moment to place the answers to her questions. Had her hair been down, it would have billowed in the strong wind. The chilly breeze did, however, send chills up her spine and brought a rose to her cheeks.

When they reached the cafe, they noticed it was crowded and many of the tables were taken. They found a small booth near the kitchen and ordered quickly. Considering the busy restaurant was packed, Draco and Ginny waited for their lunch in an awkward silence.

The redhead drummed her fingers on the table, attempting to break the silence between them.

"That's a nasty habit, Weasley," he put his hand on hers, interrupting the sound. Ginny's fingers tingled from the feeling of his and she quickly snatched it away.

"What was that for?" he asked, nearly offended from her reaction, "It's not like I have Dragon Pox or something...In fact, I should probably burn this hand since it did touch your skin, Weasley," he teased.

Ginny rolled her eyes, "Yes, well, I've taken a vow from men," she said, turning her face away to search for their waiter. She was really starting to get hungry and worried she would run past her hour break.

"Ah yes, tell me about this break-up from the Irish bloke," he replied, taking a sip of his beverage.

"Considering it is none of your business, Malfoy, and since I assume you were never one for gossip, I'll pass on that."

"Oh come on, Weasley, it takes a lot of guts for him to show up at your work, the day after he dumped you." he attempted to persuade her, half-interested.

The pink in her cheeks, that had vanished from the chill, returned in rage rather than from the weather, "How much in depth did you need me to go, Mr. Malfoy? How about that he practically begged me to go on a date with him, convinced me I was the most wonderful chit in England, then, after a month of going steady, told me he was gay and had the nerve to bring his boyfriend on what was supposed to be the most romantic date we ever had? Is that enough information for you, or do you need me to go on?" she replied, hot-headed and aggravated with the fresh events.

Draco was taken-aback at her answer; he hadn't quite expected such an engaging story. He took his time to think before speaking again. "And do you believe this - ah, 'love affair' - is your fault?" the blond questioned.

"Of course I do! Am I so repulsive that I turn men gay? Can I really be so unattractive that even a man I have known for nearly a decade can be driven away from me and into the arms of another man?"

"No," he stated simply.

Ginny's expression turned to surprise, "What?"

"I said, 'no'. To both of your questions. You're surprisingly pretty for a Weasley," Draco took another sip of his drink, and the waiter came with their meal. They both picked up their fork and bit into it.

"This is horrendous," they said simultaneously. Ginny's face was contorted in full disgust. Draco smiled, but held in a laugh at the sight.

Ginny mocked a glare at him, then reached across the table and took a bite of his meal. "Wow, yours is pretty good,"

Draco glared at her, "Don't you know how completely inappropriate that is?"

"Isn't this entire meal 'inappropriate', Mr. Malfoy?" she shot back, taking another forkful.

"And why is that?"

"You're practically my client," she said through a smile.

"Surely you jest?" he chuckled, "I am Mr. Hanson's client, and he is mine. You merely work for the man. That does not make me your client," he replied. This time, he reached across the table to take some of her lunch.

"Hey, yours isn't half-bad, Weasley," he took another stab at her plate and enjoyed the taste of the spicy herbs.

Lunch continued this way: reaching across the table for each other's plate and throwing a funny insult or two. It was quite an interesting meal, to say the least. As entertaining as it was, Ginny's break was quickly coming to an end. As she checked her wristwatch, she stood to leave.

"Well this has been fun, Malfoy, but I really must be going. If I'm correct, and I am, there are quite a few boxes to go through before I can find what you are looking for." She pulled six Galleons and four sickles from her wallet, placing them on the table and heading for the door. He grabbed her by the wrist, bringing the redhead to a fierce stop. The skin on her arm crawled with goosebumps and she pulled back.

"Please stop touching me, it feels weird," she stated awkwardly, rubbing her arm.

He picked her money up from the table and offered it to her, "Lunch is on me."

"Just because I'm a Weasley doesn't mean I can't pay for my own lunch." Ginny continued her way to the door, ensuring the buttons to her coat were fastened in apprehension of the chilly wind.

Draco rolled his eyes and placed her money in his pocket, intending on slipping it somewhere she would find later. He placed the total of the bill on the table, including tip, and followed after her.

"I wasn't insulting you, Weasley, it was merely lunch."

"Yes, lunch, but had you paid for it, it would have been a date. Dates don't work for me right now, not after yesterday, and especially not with you." she stated harshly.

"And what makes you think I would I want to date you anyway? You're the worst sort of witch imagineable; stubborn, cocky, and tempermental to boot." Draco replied, straightening the tie around his neck as Ginny unlocked the shop.

"Thank you for reminding me of my vices, Malfoy. As if I really needed such an exhilerating ego boost after the fabulous one I received last night," she stepped inside and held the door for him in a near sarcastic stature.

Ginny was getting on his nerves, and soon, he wondered if she would strike his last one. He didn't have time for sarcasm or petty arguments; he had a deadline and a client to meet with. He made his way to the stock room and began the tedious work. It took them nearly three quarter-hours, but they had everything accounted for and put on the shelves.

The redhead picked up a heavy box and lifted it into his arms, "There you have it, Mister Malfoy," she sneered, "All it is you came for and then some."

He smirked at her, "You make it sound like we shagged or something, Miss Weasley." Draco put a shrinking charm on the box of iMagics, slipping it into his pocket and headed to the counter. What he did next shocked Ginny.

Instead of standing in front of the counter like a normal customer would do, he stood behind it and pressed many keys on the confusing register. "What the bloody hell are you doing, Malfoy? I believe that is my job."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Well, you're not doing a very good job. I told you I had a limited amount of time, and that time is running short. It would be much faster if I just did this myself."

She got behind him, nearly meeting him in height with only a few inches lacking. "I believe you're insulting me again. Without intending to, perhaps?" she growled in his ear.

The tiny blond hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and her voice rang in his ears. Slowly, he turned around and faced her. Hundreds of freckles dotted her cheeks and nose; it was hard to see them at all unless you were as close as he was. I never noticed them before he thought silently.

"Will you ever know for sure?" he asked rhetorically. His voice was low and husky, reminding her that he was constantly in control.

She bit the inside of her lip to keep from cursing him. "You're being quite rude for being in my workplace, Malfoy. I don't think Mr. Hanson would appreciate you harrassing his employees." She stepped closer to intimidate him, but ended up getting a smell of his cologne. It wasn't overbearing like most men wore - it was subtle, with a hint of peppermint and maybe a slice of vanilla.

Her bun started to loosen, held in place only by a pair of chopsticks she received at Christmas from Hermione.

I bet if I undid it, her curls would fall down her back, and down to her waist Draco thought to himself. His eyes got wide, realizing his mind was being tainted by this redheaded menace.

"I-I have to go," he muttered quickly, placing her money on the counter and leaving as quickly as his legs would allow him.

She stared at the counter with confusion. What in Merlin's pants just happened?

-.-.-

A/N: I have been working on this chapter for a very long time! I know it seems like a filler chapter, and not much happened... but I promise it will make more sense in the end. This chapter was necessary, even though it was kind of boring. BUT LOOK AT THE LENGTH!! YAAYYY ME! Okay, so it's 1:20 in the morning, and I could use some sleep. Please review - I PROMISE to update next week or the week after.

-AMi

P.S. This chapter was un-betaed because I wanted to get it up ASAP for those faithful readers. Please forgive me.