Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter related

Chapter 3 - The Party

"Lavender! You made it", Parvati through her arms around her friend.

"Yes, well, Harry couldn't make it. He's job hunting", Lavender lied, "He very determined to find a better job than the one he has".

Parvati nodded, "Sales assistant isn't exactly Harry's calling, is it?"

Lavender smiled pitifully, "No, its not".

"Oh, well, come on in, most people are here", Parvati grasped Lavenders hand and pulled her inside the front door of her home. Lavender had never been to Seamus home before. There was a large staircase that lead to the second level directly in the centre of the entrance hall. All the walls were white and tidy with elegant pictures. Vases with flowers were all over the place.

"This place is beautiful", Lavender said in a small voice, her eyes scanning the room.

"Thank you. Seamus let me decorate the house when he bought it a month ago", Parvati said, followed by a small excited squeal, "I love this place. I can't believe I live here now!"

"Me neither".

They both stared around the hall before Parvati said, "Anyway, come on, every ones here". She led her friend through a door to a hallway, and then the hallway led to a large living area that opened up with large screen doors. Outside there was a large courtyard with a number of people mulling around with glasses of wine. Between 20 and 30 she would have guessed.

She wondered out the sliding doors, away from Parvati and towards another familiar face, Hermione.

"Hey, Hermione", Lavender said quietly, but Hermione turned around.

"You did make it", she smiled, "Parvati was sure you weren't coming".

"Well, Harry didn't want to come. I told Parvati that he was job hunting".

"But I guess has not".

"No", Lavender sighed, "He should be though".

"Why? Is he sick of Harold's?"

"Harold fired him", Lavender went a little red, "and it's my entire fault".

What? Why is it your fault?" Hermione's voice was saturated in concern.

Lavender shock her head, "It doesn't matter".

"Lavender, we all worry about you, Harry doesn't d-".

"Hermione!" a loud voice called. Lavender recognised it as Ginny's before she saw her waving her arm, indicating for her friend to join her. Not doubt wanting her away from Lavender.

"You go", Lavender said, "I'm going to look at the rest of the house". She floated away before Hermione had a chance to say good bye.

"I'm surprised she came", Ginny said as soon as Hermione was in earshot. She was standing with Malfoy, but he was talking to other guys beside them.

Hermione nodded, "I'm glad she did though. She had to get away from him".

"Yeah, well she never learns", Ginny sighed, "Anyway, I saw Cho and Bevan around here before."

"Really?" Hermione raised her eyebrows, "I didn't know they were friends with Parvati".

"Neither but apparently they are".

"Did you talk to them?"

Ginny shook her head, "They were quite busy in conversation, besides I've never really had much time for her", and she took a sip of her wine.

Hermione laughed, "Or him".

Malfoy turned around, "Did you see them in the paper the other day?" His voice assured Hermione that like her, Malfoy was not glad to see a young person in charge of the Ministry.

"Yes, very shocking news", Hermione looked grim, "It made me very uncomfortable to think that such a young person is in charge of the ministry. I for one am not a fan of my new boss".

"You never liked him", Ginny smirked, "What was it? He was a little bit smarter than you?"

Hermione fumed, "I'm not that shallow, Ginny, you know that".

Ginny nodded but was smiling, knowingly.

"Well, I'll let you get back to it. I've got to make plans with Lavender, she's organising a party for Harry's 21st".

"He's having a party?"

Hermione shrugged, "I don't think he knows about it but I told her I'd help her out".

"Your good", Ginny smirked.

"Yes, I know", Hermione turned away.

Ginny waited until she could not see Hermione anymore before saying, "I don't know why she's still trying to help that idiot".

Draco put his arms around her waist and leaned his chin on her shoulder, gently placing a kiss on her neck, "You're so beautiful when you're being mean to your friends".

Ginny, not insulted, pushed her elbow back into his guts, "Watch what you say, huh?" she joked, "I'm only mean because she really is pathetic". Draco had released her and had a hand on his stomach.

"Remind me not to tell you you're pretty again aye?"

Ginny poked her tongue out, just as Cho walked up behind her, "Ginny?"

Pulling a face briefly for Draco's benefit, Ginny turned to face the now very womanly Cho, "Cho, I saw you earlier".

"Why didn't you come say hello", she said happily, pulling Ginny into a forced hug, "You look amazing", she released her and looked over at Draco, "Hello, Draco. You're looking well. Good to see you're still together".

"Yes, well, we're happy together", Ginny smiled with blank eyes, "But how about you, Mrs. Queen of the World now huh?" Draco heard the sarcasm in his girlfriend's voice but evidently Cho missed it.

Cho laughed, "Not quite yet, but engaged to be", she held up her hand where a large stone sat in a ring on her wedding finger.

"That's right, your engaged now", Ginny said.

"Have been for three months now", Cho chirped excitedly, "But we want a long engagement. We want to enjoy our youth".

"That will be a bit hard with Bevan's job", Draco interjected with a frown.

Cho's smile slipped but was quickly returned, "Your right, he is very busy but we spend a lot of time together still".

"Congratulations", Ginny said curtly.

"Thank you", Cho looked confused but continued, "Bevan's job is so amazing. He had no idea that it was going to happen. One day the Minister just sent him an owl asking him if he was interested in climbing the ladder at the ministry, or so to speak and the next he was home telling me he was now second in Charge at the Ministry! It's it amazing?"

"Incredible", Draco said with no enthusiasm.

Cho's smile completely vanished, "Yes, well I'm so proud of him".

Ginny gave Draco a warning look, and then turned back to Cho, "That's what counts the most aye?" she said trying hard to be cheery.

"Well, that and the respect he and I are getting. Every where we go people are saying hello and congratulations. There are some that aren't happy about his age but that doesn't matter because he's so good that it won't matter in the long run".

"That's true", Ginny nodded, looking around for an escape.

"I bet you were pleased that it was a friend of yours that got the top job, right Draco. Not that there were many other options out there", Cho continued, staring at Draco.

"I'm ecstatic, especially since he's such a close friend, I mean I see him almost, once every three years", sarcasm was thick with Draco's comment.

Cho stepped back, "Draco, what are you trying to say".

"He's trying to tell you he's not interested in my success", Bevan had appeared from no where, "Hello, Draco".

"Bevan", Draco said in a small voice, he reached out and pulled Ginny to his side, as Bevan moved in front if his fiancé.

"I see your doing well in your highly important job, especially for such a young person. I guess your similar to me in that respect", Bevan smirked but Draco didn't take the bait.

"I guess so", Draco gave him a smile, "Well, we'll leave you to it. Good to see that walking over your friends still gets you somewhere these days". He quickly pulled Ginny away from the successful couple.

Cho was left gaping, "What does he mean by that, Bev?" Bevan didn't reply.

Once out of hearing range of Cho and Bevan, Ginny pulled herself away from Draco, "Woo, what was that? What were you talking about?"

Draco sighed and looked at his feet, "When I applied for the Councillor's job he was the one who voted against me because he felt that I had nothing to offer the job".

"What? Why did he have the right to vote?"

"He was working for the Department of Mysteries but the Head of the department was ill and of course he was 2IC of the department so he took the Head's vote and made it against me. His boldness got him recognised and that's why when the last Head of department retired, he was offered the job instantly".

"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

Didn't want to make you angry. I know you go off on a rampage when you feel that someone is being stepped on."

Ginny looked at her man, it was hard to believe that so many years ago he was the one she was angry towards for what he did to her and her friends. He was a changed man.

"Look, it doesn't matter anyway, I got the job eventually so lets not stress", Draco rubbed both her shoulders gently.

"OK" she let her anger go. "I never liked him, it didn't make sense to me that he was unaware that Voldemort was his dad and that his sister was on a vicious crusade to kill Harry. He hated Harry, he hated the way he treated Cho when they were together. I remember he beat Harry up one time".

"Harry's a tosser, he deserves a beating ever now and then", Draco replied, not paying much attention as he had noticed the snacks table.

"But he still seems off, I don't trust him".

"Neither do me, neither does Hermione but there's nothing we can do, Gin", Draco returned to her side, looking at the power couple.

"Yeah", Ginny said, watching, "Cho's gotten a bit bigger huh?"

Draco considered her properly for the first time, "Yeah, she used to be a stick, but look at her. She's all curvy now".

"Well don't let your eyes pop out of their sockets", Ginny faked jealously.

Draco smiled, "I don't know, they are itching to get out of there", he grinned and leaned threw his arms around her.

"Shut up", Ginny laughed.

"Ohh, don't you two look sweet?"

Ginny and Draco both looked to their right, a shorter, darker skinned version of Parvati stood beside them, cooing.

"Aw, thank you", Ginny replied to Parvati's twin sister, Padma

"It's the atmosphere. It makes you feel so romantic", Padma said, she was beaming.

"Yes, it's a very romantic environment", Ginny agreed.

"Reminds me of my engagement party", she said, "When Terry proposed to me, I knew that was my calling".

"You're engaged?" Ginny asked.

"I'm married", Padma exclaimed, "Two and a half months ago. That's when Parvati and got together with Seamus, properly".

"Oh my gosh, congratulations! No one told me", Ginny said with excitement.

"Oh thank you, it was a small ceremony only a few guest but it was lovely", Padma grinned.

"That's beautiful".

"Yes", Padma then looked at them warmly, "You two look perfect together. When are you going to tie the knot?"

Ginny was taken back; she did not want to look at Draco. Draco was similar, he did not want Ginny look at him expectantly. He wanted to marry her, but he did not want to be forced to propose.

"Uh..." Draco didn't know what to say, his chest was restricting his breathing.

Ginny quickly answered, "We aren't even thinking about that. We're happy as we are for now".

Draco breathed easy again and managed a reply, "Yeah, we need to sort more things out before we think about that".

"Aw that's a shame, you look like you really belong together", Padma sighed, "but everyone is ready in their own time, aren't they?"

"Yes", Ginny looked uneasily at Draco who returned the look.

---------------

"So I think it will be better as a surprise", Hermione said, "You know how he gets about parties these days".

Lavender nodded, "I agree, he likes solitude".

"Yes", Hermione made a note on a piece of paper she held; "Now I can take care of the invitations and decorations. You book the pub and organise getting him there. Aw and food", Hermione added.

Lavender continued to nod, accepting jobs as they were given to her, "I'm sure he will enjoy his 21st".

Hermione said, "Me too, with all this effort your putting in".

"He will".

Hermione made another note on her paper, "What about the cost? I and Ron can put a bit of money towards it".

"No", Lavender said firmly, "This is my present for him. I just want him to cheer up and not hate the world so much".

Hermione looked worried, "Lavender, are you sure this is right? I mean the you and Harry thing".

"Hermione, I love him, he needs me, this is where I belong", Lavender replied aggressively, "I'd appreciate it if you keep those comments to yourself".

"I know you think-" Hermione was suddenly interrupted but the loud drunken voice of Ron.

"Herm... one, we need to go and get Harry" Ron stumbled forward, falling on Hermione, only just managed to hold herself and her boyfriend up.

"Ron!" she exclaimed angrily, "Why are you so drunk?"

"Hermy.. I think... we need Harry. Aye Lavender?" he now through his right onto her, leaning on her shoulder.

"Ron!" again anger in Hermione's voice.

"What? Can you eeeever stop bitch... ing at me?" He retorted, with a hiccup. He was looking at her but his eyes were wonky and it looked as if he could have been looking at anyone.

"Ron, we're going home now", her voice was low but there was heat in it.

"Don't you think she should just leave me alone?" He looked at Lavender whose shoulder he still had his arm around.

Lavender gave him a disgusted look, "No, I think you should respect you girlfriend".

Ron stood by his own accord, "Fuck, no wonder Harry hates you. You're fucking pathetic", he gave her a hate filled look, "You ruined his life and now you want to ruin mine?"

Lavender looked at him in shock, not moving. Hermione found herself acting before she even realised how angry she was. She pulled her open hand back and thrust it at her boyfriends face, slapping him hard, "You bastard! It's all your fault your life is going to be ruined, we are over. I do not want to see you ever again". Grabbing Lavenders hand, Hermione stalked away, quickly apologising to Parvati as she walked inside, Lavender following silently. Ron was left standing there, barely having felt the hit but feeling the pain in his heart. Everyone starred at him.

-------------

"Can you believe it?" Draco took off his Jacket and placed it on the coat rack just inside the front door of their home, "She must have had enough. Did you know that they were that close to breaking up?" Draco was smiling out of shock and disbelief that the couple had managed to survive four years together.

"Who?" Ginny had walked straight inside. She had not said a word to him since they left the party.

"Ron and Hermione", Draco said loudly and slowly so she would hear him.

"No.... yes.... I don't know", she said agitated, "Draco, we will never be able to get married will we?"

Draco suddenly understood why she was silent prior to this, she had been brooding.

Draco sighed, "Ginny, have you been worrying about this all night?"

"Since Padma told us we should get married".

"Why? You said yourself that we weren't at that stage".

"Not now, but in the future I will be and I don't want to be working at this relationship for it never to happen. Your parents will never let us get married", she sounded hysterical so Draco moved close to her and put his arms around her.

"We talked about this the other day. I'm going to sort it out, ok?"

Ginny pulled away, "But is that what you want? I know I want to get married to you, one day, but do you want to? And I don't want to be the reason that you and your family don't speak if we were to get married".

Draco stared at her, unsure of what to say.

"See you can't even tell me you want to be with me", she wailed.

"Ginny, stop being silly".

"Silly?" she raged, "Silly? You know what, fuck you", and she stormed out of the room.

"Fuck", Draco said in frustration. Irritated by the woman he loved he grabbed his coat and walked back out the front door.

------------------

There was a knock on the door that was followed by Lavender saying, "Harry can you get it?" She was in the kitchen. Cooking again he assumed. Harry grunted a reply before standing, putting his drink down and going to the door. To his surprise it was Ron standing in front of him red-eyed and untidy. It looked as if he hadn't slept.

"She dumped me", was all he said. Harry stood aside and allowed his friend to enter his home. They sat together on the couch awkwardly.

"What did you do?"

Ron shook his head, "I don't remember".

Harry sighed and picked up his drink, "She hasn't told you?"

Ron shook his head, "I don't know what happened. I ended up staying on Seamus's couch last night and I assumed I had told Hermione to go home and I'd find my own way home, but apparently not" he put his head in his hands, "She dumped me, and I went home this morning not remembering and she told me to leave because she wasn't taking me back".

"Who was it Harry?" Lavender called.

Harry ignored her the first time but when she asked repeatedly he yelled, "Ron", adding a "bitch", quietly.

The two men heard a pot hit the ground and heavy footsteps come to the doorway, "What is he doing here?"

"It doesn't matter", Harry replied aggressively, "He's my mate; I'd rather have him here then you".

Lavender choose to ignore this comment, "What makes you think you can come into my house?"

"What?" Ron gave her a confused look.

"Shut your mouth", Harry stood up and clenched his fists.

Lavender stood there silently for a moment then, realising it was no time for an argument, she nodded and disappeared back to the kitchen.

"Nosey bitch", Harry said aggressively, sitting back down.

Ron swallowed; he hated being there when Harry was angry with her, "What was her problem?"

Harry shrugged, "Doesn't matter, it's probably her just getting jealous", he said darkly.

Ron nodded, "So, can I stay? I don't want to back to my parents; I don't want to tell them what happened until I'm sure that it's over".

"Yeah, you can stay", said Harry.

"What about her?" Ron indicted to the kitchen with his head.

"Fuck her, she's not important", Harry said in a dark tone.

-----------------

"She just won't get over it", Draco sighed, "I want her to understand that my family doesn't matter but she wont accept it if I do tell her and if I don't tell her she thinks I don't care".

Blaise smiled knowingly, "You know mate, I can understand why she would be freaked out. You remember what it was like in the old days, there was no one more important to you than your father".

"Hes a disgrace-" he scowled.

"Bro, you have changed but the worry will always be there. Explain to her that shes the one that means the most to you", Blaise took a sip of his beer.

Draco felt frustrated, "I have but its not working, man".

Blaise sighed, "She loves you".

"I know that", he said, "But-"

"But nothing, relationships are hard work", Blaise smiled and patted his friends shoulder.

Draco smirked, "So that's why you give up on your relationships so quickly?"

Blaise raised and eyebrow, "You know I'm not the one who gives up".

"It's a joke", Draco said, the smile disappeared.

"Yeah", Blaise took another sip, "How was the party anyway. I was speaking to Parvati the other day, she seemed happy with it".

"Yeah it wasn't too bad. We weren't there that long because Ron and Hermione had a massive fight and Ginny was too embarrassed".

"Fuck, I heard about that bro, she told him to fuck off aye?"

Draco nodded and took a gulp of beer, "I didn't mind leaving though. Bevan showed up and was going on about himself doing great at the ministry. I wanted him to choke on his fucking tongue. And that slut Mrs. of his", Draco resumed scowling.

Blaise snorted into his beer with fits of laughter.

"What's so funny?"

Blaise wiped his mouth and a large smile spread across his face. Shaking his head he said, "I wouldn't be worrying about how great they are doing".

"Why not?"

Blaise smirked and continued, "Cho's always alone and I been visiting her a lot".

"What are you saying", a knowing grin had crept up onto Draco's face.

"Mr. next Minister of Magic is not satisfying his woman", Blaise took a sip of his drink with a broad smile.

"You legend!", Draco slapped him heartily on the back, "How long have you been rooting her?"

Blaise laughed again, "Three months now. I go over there nearly every day".

Draco shook his head in surprise but also admiration, "I can't believe that miss goody goody from school has become a cheating government slut".

"Yeah, I know, she's a mess. I'm not that into her but the fun of rooting that dick head's Mrs. is too much to pass up".

Draco smirked, "Good job".

The two friends sat silently for a moment, considering the predicaments that they were in. After a while a thought came to Blaise, "Crabbe and Goyle mentioned they hadn't seen you in a long time".

"Yeah, I'm not really into hanging with them. I'm sure my level of intelligence slowly decreases anytime I listen to them talk".

Blaise smiled kindly, understanding and agreeing with what Draco said, but still they were his friends, "Well, you obviously won't be keen but I suggested we get together for a real Boys night out".

"Boys night out?" Draco laughed.

"Yeah, you know, get smashed and cause havoc!"

Draco considered the offer for a moment, he hated the idea of time with the moron twins but he knew that he needed to be spending more time with his mates or else he would end up with none. And the idea of acting immature and stupid was appealing.

"Yeah ok, we should do something".

"This weekend ok for you?"

"This weekend?"

"Yeah, that when the boys said they were free. Friday night would be the best Id say".

"Ok, I'll just make sure I got nothing on when I get home and I'll send you an owl".