Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Summary: After Hogwarts with Voldemort gone and Harry by her side, life should be perfect for Ginny Weasley, but when the lies start to pile up she starts to wonder. Maybe the chosen one is not so wonderful after all. D/G, Post-Hogwarts, rated M for later.
Ginny woke up way too early as the morning sun mercilessly shone through her bedroom window. She cursed herself for forgetting to shut the blinds last night and groggily got out of the very comfortable queen sized bed. She noticed a piece of parchment on the bedside cabinet with a scruffy handwriting. Yawning wide she grabbed the note to read it.
Morning Gin,
Got home late from the Ministry last night and didn't want to wake you. Sorry about the game, but you were great. Had to get back to the Ministry early this morning. See you tonight, I hope.
Love, Harry
Ginny was not the least surprised by the note, she was used to waking up to find a hastily scribbled message from Harry. They really made the Auror aspirants train hard.
She glanced at the clock and realised it was only seven o' clock. She did not feel like going back to sleep so she scurried over to the kitchen to find something to eat. To her surprise, Hermione was already sitting by the kitchen table sipping on what smelled like hot chocolate.
"You're up early," Ginny commented and opened the fridge, scanning the interior for something delicious.
"Yes, I woke up when Ron was cursing over the alarm going off at six. I wasn't really tired so I figured I'd get an early start of the day. Why are you out of bed? Harry said he didn't wake you," Hermione asked and looked over at the redhead by the fridge.
"No, he didn't but I forgot to close the blinds. The stupid sun gets into my room around seven every morning," Ginny responded grumpily and closed the fridge. She decided to munch on some of her mum's homemade cookies.
"That's not a very nutritious breakfast, you know," Hermione commented and looked sternly at Ginny.
"I'll be fine, I'll get something on my way to the Ministry," Ginny responded irritably. It frustrated her that Hermione felt the need to act as her mother just because they lived in the same flat.
"What are you going to the Ministry for?" Hermione asked in a bossy tone of voice, she probably thought Ginny was going to try meet up with Harry or something.
"I have to go to a press conference about last nights game in the Department of Magical Games and Sports," Ginny responded and continued to munch on the cookies.
"Oh, what time?" Hermione asked. Ginny felt like she was being cross-examined and had to refrain from rolling her eyes.
"At eleven, so I got plenty of time to kill," she responded and put away the cookie jar. She would have to ask her mum to bake some more. She simply did not have time to do it herself.
"Oh, I don't know. It's going to take you an hour to get ready, another hour to eat some real food on your way to the Ministry, and maybe half an hour total to get from here to the right department in the Ministry in case it is crowded in the Atrium.
"If you say so," Ginny responded sarcastically, but decided she would get going right away. She could not stand staying here and listen to Hermione preach anymore. Hermione did thankfully not respond, but continued reading the paper.
Once outside, Ginny took a deep breathe of fresh air and let the morning sun kiss her face. She loved the sun, she just wished she did not burn so easy in it. The Diagon Alley was almost deserted, only a few shop keepers were out and about getting their store ready for the day.
She spotted Lavender Brown by the salon Magical Beauty that Lavender, Parvati and Padma Patil had started after Hogwarts. The three girls were very successful, it was amazing what witches would do to feel better about their own appearance. Lavender waved at her to come over so she did. She was not in a hurry.
"Hey, Ginny, sorry to hear about the game last night. What are you doing out so early? None of the stores are open," Lavender said and smiled broadly. Ginny sensed she was after something; Lavender loved gossiping and was always on the look out for juicy drama.
"I just felt like taking a walk before I have to sit through a boring press conference," Ginny answered slowly. She could not help it, she was always careful with what she said around Lavender, even when it was about something that did not even matter if everyone knew.
"Press conference? About the game I gather. Look, I can style your hair if you like?" Lavender offered and tugged Ginny towards the salon before she could reply.
"Really, there's no need," Ginny protested but found that she was already sitting in a plush lilac chair in front of a giant mirror.
"You're lucky you bumped into me, hair is my specialty you see. I mean, you have no idea how many girls asked me to do their hair before the Yule Ball at Hogwarts! I barely had time to do my own. So, what's it like dating the-man-who-lived? Lavender jabbered as she started styling wavy curls in Ginny's flaming red hair using her wand.
"Great, of course," Ginny answered automatically and smiled. Even though they lived in the same flat she had barely seen him the last month, but she had no plans to share that information with Lavender. If she did it would only take a few hours before the entire Wizarding world knew, and if the gossip was juicy enough it would make a headline in Witch Weekly.
"Aww, isn't that just sweet? Ginny forced herself to smile, knowing that she was going to have to sit trough a lot of gossip.
Draco was a morning person and did not really need the sleep-in he was given for doing his tracking test late last night, but he nonetheless savored the extra hours he had and figured he might as well use the time to see Blaise quickly before going to the Ministry of Magic.
He decided to Floo straight into Blaise's mansion on the Isle of Anglesey. Blaise had very effective Apparation wards up and since he worked in the Department of Mysteries it was hard to tell what would happen if you accidentally tried to Apparate directly into the Manor. He threw silver Floo powder into the fire in the living room and stepped into the emerald flames.
He walked out of one of the giant fireplaces in the familiar great hall in Blaise's mansion, which he had inherited from his great uncle on his mother's side. The manor was gloomy and did not really fit Blaise's personality, but the landscape around it was magnificent. A House-Elf popped in front of him from thin air.
"Mister Malfoy, so pleasant to see you. Master Zabini is not expecting you," the House-Elf squeaked nervously and bowed its head.
"I know, tell him I will be waiting in the conservatory, admiring the scenery," Draco responded lightly and started walking towards the conservatory. The House-Elf never responded, but within ten minutes a groggy looking Blaise joined him where Draco was enjoying the morning sun.
"Are you barking mad? Turning up at my place so effing early," Blaise muttered and sat down in a chair.
"I don't have to be in the Auror office until ten thirty so I figured I'd stop by and say hi." Draco responded cheerily. He usually was not very cheery, but when being cheery annoyed someone else he was.
"I saw you twelve hours ago," Blaise responded grumpily.
"Tsk, that's hardly a tone you use with a friend. That's a tone of voice you should reserve for people like Parkinson," Draco replied smugly and placed his hands behind his neck.
"Hmm, talking of Parkinon. I named my new House-Elf Pansy," Blaise stated matter-of-factly.
"I feel sorry for the poor creature," Draco responded loftily. Blaise just shrugged, but did not comment further.
"Anyhow, I heard the seeker of the Holyhead Harpies resigned last night. I don't exactly know why, but she has been out of shape for a while," Draco stated and peered over at his friend to see how interested he was.
"Hmm, maybe it's good they find someone new. Wonder who it will be," Blaise responded, suddenly looking more awake.
"Yes, well, I believe they will organize tryouts very soon. However, even though the Harpies are phenomenal their manager is an old berk loosing his touch with the game, if you ask me," Draco continued.
"He isn't terrible, I mean he found Weasley, but I know what you mean. Maybe he will need some help in finding a new seeker?"
"Maybe, or maybe the Harpies need a new manager?"
"Now that's an interesting thought," Blaise responded thoughtfully, "I need some tea. Pansy!"
A House Elf Draco had not seen before appeared in front of them.
"Master Zabini called," the house elf piped and bowed deeply.
"Tea for me and Mr Malfoy," Blaise drawled lazily and the House Elf was gone as quickly as she appeared.
"Neither of us obviously have time for the task, but I'm sure we could find a way to fire the barmy old fool and hire someone new," Draco replied and took a cup of fresh brewed tea from the House Elf Pansy, who had returned with their request along with toast and bacon.
"Well, our donations pretty much make up the salaries for the whole team and their salaries aren't exactly low. If they lost us as sponsors they would be nothing, I'm sure we have enough influence to get what we want," Blaise said and sipped on his tea, "so how did the test go last night?"
"Finally beat Potter, that should answer you question," Draco replied smugly.
"Perfect! I bet there are other things you could beat Potter at too," Blaise teased.
Draco decided to pretend he had no idea what Blaise was talking about and took a bite out of his toast instead.
"Ignoring me, are you? Fine, we'll talk about it when your delicate mind is ready for it."
Draco felt as if he was ready to kill the self-righteous git, but decided that it would be unwise to do so. After all, he was one of his few good friends, almost trustworthy even.
"I am not going to discuss this fantasy of yours if that's what you're asking. Besides, I better get going to the Ministry now," Draco replied curtly and stood up.
"Right you are, those damn lifts take forever sometimes with people getting on and off and what not," Blaise replied.
Ginny rather disliked the visitors' entrance of the ministry. The street outside was shabby and quite creepy in her opinion. She quickly stepped inside the broken-down telephone box and dialed 62442. The welcome witch welcomed her and asked her to state her name and purpose of her visit.
"Ginny Weasley, here for the press conference concerning last nights Quidditch game," she stated in a clear voice.
A silver badge with her name on it popped out. She pinned it to her dark green robes with gold lining, the colours of the Holyhead Harpies. The telephone box begun to drop down like a lift and soon she stepped out in the Atrium. She walked over to the security stand and watched as the watchwizard inspected her wand.
"Little early for the conference, aren't you?" he commented sternly.
Ginny shrugged casually and replied, "Yeah, I figured I'd stop by early and say hi to some friends."
The watchwizard did not comment, but gave her wand back. She gave him a quick smile before she headed for the lifts. She stepped inside one that looked like it was about to leave.
"Hello, Weasley, what brings you here?" a familiar cold voice asked. She realised it was Draco Malfoy, her old school enemy, that she was sharing the lift with.
"Well, not that it's any of your business, but I have a press conference here today," she responded stiffly.
The lift stopped at level seven, Department for Magical Games and Sports.
"I guess you're off here then," Malfoy replied as the gates opened.
"No, the conference doesn't start yet. I'm just visiting Harry quick before," Ginny explained.
"So we're going to the same floor, how exciting," Malfoy replied sarcastically.
"Aren't you a little late? Both Harry and Ron had to get here at seven this morning," Ginny asked despite herself. She could not help her own curiosity; she knew Malfoy was in Auror training with Ron and Harry. She ought to know, they complained about him often enough.
"Well, I would be if it wasn't for the fact that I had a tracking test last night and I was allowed a lie-in," Malfoy responded and watched as a few violet Interdepartmental memos swooped in at level six before the gates shut and the lift started moving again.
"Didn't Harry have his test last night? That's what Ron thought. Harry said he had to go to the Auror's Office…" Ginny responded trailing off. Something unpleasant was probing at the back of her mind, but she chose to ignore it.
"Really, he said so? I can assure you that Potter did not have his test last night, but earlier this week. I was the last one to take the test yesterday," Malfoy responded and looked at her curiously.
Ginny did not have to respond as the gates to the lift opened again at level five, Department of International Magical Cooperation. Cho Chang and a blonde witch she did not recognize stepped into the lift. Ginny nodded curtly at Cho who smiled sweetly in response. That surprised Ginny; Cho usually made a point to ignore her. The day was getting weirder by the minute.
Ginny pondered over what she had just learned. If Malfoy told the truth, which she was not sure he did, it would mean Harry had been lying. Why would he have to lie? It did not make much sense.
The lift stopped again at level four, Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Cho and the blonde witch exited, blabbering excitedly in French. Ginny guessed the strange witch was probably a visitor from the French Ministry. No one else got on, but a few more memos swooped inside before the gates shut again.
"So, what was your purpose in visiting Potter before you just found out he has been lying to you?" Malfoy asked nonchalantly.
Ginny was not sure if she was angry with him or Harry, but it really did not make sense to be angry with Malfoy if he was telling the truth. The problem was that Malfoy had no reason to be truthful with her, then again he had no reason to be lying either.
"I planned to ask him if he'd like to have lunch with me after the press-conference. How do I know you're telling the truth though?" Ginny asked suspiciously and looked over at the blond man beside her. He was wearing what appeared to be elegant black robes with silver lining at first glance, but Ginny noticed they were a very in dark green. He filled out the robes well, probably from Auror training.
"If I remember correctly, I pointed out that I had the test last night before you even mentioned that Harry told you he was taking it," Malfoy replied in a bored tone and, once again, glanced at the Interdepartmental memos above their heads. He seemed to have an odd fascination with them.
"Right," Ginny sighed discontentedly as the lift stopped at level three. Most of the memos flew out and only a couple swooped in.
"I don't know why Potter would be lying to you, but I think I know a way to find out," Malfoy said after the gates closed again.
"Why? I can just confront him about it, can't I?" Ginny responded pensively, wondering what Malfoy was on about.
"You could, but do you think you'll hear the truth?" Malfoy asked. Ginny thought for a second. If Harry had already been lying to her about being at the Auror's Office when he clearly was not, what would stop him from coming up with another lie now?
"What do you have in mind?" Ginny asked carefully, not sure if she really wanted help from a Malfoy.
"If Potter declines lunch, then meet me at the Golden Snidget in Diagon Alley after your press-conference, we can discuss it then," Malfoy replied quickly as the lift stopped at level two, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Malfoy sauntered out before Ginny had a chance to reply. She walked trough a corridor with magical windows streaming in sunlight. She opened the door to the bustling Auror Headquarters and looked around for Harry. She found him in a cubicle close to the entrance with Ron, apparently filling out some paperwork.
"Hello Harry, hi Ron," Ginny cheered happily, as if nothing was wrong in the world.
"Hey, Gin, what are you doing here?" Harry asked looking rather surprised.
Ginny was rather annoyed at being asked that particular question today, but fought down her annoyance. She was going to have to control her infamous Weasley temper.
"Well, I have a press-conference in about twenty minutes or so I figured I'd see if you wanted to grab some lunch together after it," Ginny responded and smiled warmly.
"Sorry, sis, but we were kind of planning an early lunch, we had to get up so friggin early and all," Ron replied instead of Harry. At the same time his stomach growled loudly.
"Yeah, sorry Gin, but we did actually plan to eat soon," Harry added and leaned back in his chair and rubbed his scar.
"No problem. It's too bad they don't let you have a lie-in after such a late night, but I guess that's part of the Auror training too," said Ginny and gave Harry a sugary smile.
"Oh, that's strange, mate. I mean, I got a lie-in the morning after I had my test, that's so unfair. Besides, where's Malfoy? He didn't turn up at seven this morning," Ron spoke as he was getting more and more flustered at how unfairly Harry was being treated. Ginny fought to keep her facial features straight; Ron just confirmed that Malfoy was telling the truth.
Harry looked between Ginny and Ron uncomfortably, "Maybe Malfoy is sick or something," he offered, but unfortunately for him Malfoy happened to walk by at that specific moment, talking heatedly with another Auror.
"Doesn't look like it," Ginny commented casually, not really pressing Harry. She did not want him to think she was suspicious, not yet at least. She wanted to know more before she confronted him.
"Well, who knows with that bloody git. Can't believe he was allowed to start Auror training, what with his background and all," Ron remarked angrily and glared after Malfoy.
"Well, I'm sure Robards has his reasons for not giving you a lie-in, Harry, but I have to go to that stupid press-conference now," Ginny declared and waved goodbye.
The press-conference proved to be a quite unpleasant affair. Many of the Puddlemere United team players turned up hungover from last night's partying. Some of them seemed to be drunk still and one wizard in particular simply would not stop hitting on Ginny. She could only barely stop herself from casting a bat-boogie hex on him, which still was one of her favourites, but figured he did not deserve the trouble. The captain of her team, Gwenog Jones, was involved in a heated argument with Puddlemere United's captain. Additionally, the reporter that the Daily Prophet sent was rather taken by Puddlemere United's Beater Roger Davis, who, to his defense, looked rather uncomfortable by the attention. Ginny had a feeling the article would not become very impressive.
Ginny was happy to see that Collin Creevey was the photographer though, and he was trying his best to get a variation of photos. He looked rather annoyed as he tried to get a good picture of Davis without the reporter in it. Ginny thought even Rita Skeeter would do a better job. Finally, Gwenog Jones had had enough and announced that the Holyhead Harpies were leaving and dutifully told the reporter that it would be unwise of her to ever try interview her team again. That said, the team along with Ginny marched out.
"What a useless bimbo," Gwenog muttered as they stood crammed together in the lift.
"It's her loss," Angelina commented sourly and checked her watch.
"True that," Gwenog agreed then changed the subject, "So, we will be needing a new seeker. You all have a week off practice, then we will start again with practice tree times a week for a month, then increase the practices to four times a week," she stated as the lift reached level eight.
Most of her team mates headed for the fireplaces to Floo home, but Ginny decided against her better judgement to meet Malfoy at the Golden Snidget in Diagon Alley. It couldn't hurt to hear what he had to say, could it?
Any questions, comments, opinions?
Feel free to share by leaving a review...
Thanks again to Written Sparks for beta reading :)