Disclaimer: I do not in any way own Harry Potter and co. All rights belong to J. and the Publishers.
A/N: No this isn't the chapter with the dance. However I will give you a spoiler- On my fanfiction profile there is a link titled Cunning Like A Fox Pictures. On this link is the music and pictures of Ginny's dress/hair I'm using for the next chapter.
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Cunning Like A Fox
By: Jodelle
"Being powerful is like being a lady.
If you have to tell people you are,
you aren't." - Margaret Thatcher
Chapter 8: Malfoy Manor
Ginny Weasley got off the Hogwarts express and looked around her for the fair haired Malfoy's. She wasn't sure why she hadn't put up more of a fight to get out of going to this party as she didn't fully trust those hosting it and didn't feel safe letting her guard down.
That's when the auror training came in. There was a spell that let you spin an invisible web around your body as you sleep so should anyone or anything enter your room you'd sense it's presence. The Head Auror's Manual said you could even sense the presence of something as small as a fly. As it would be impossible to sleep if you kept being alerted of all sized intruders you could set the level of sensitivity for the web depending on how paranoid you were.
She'd used this to get some sleep on the train recasting it every time she woke up. Ginny had been reading the Head Auror's Manual on the train when she finally found what she needed in this spell. So she practiced it getting it right on her third try.
Ginny carried her trunk with ease and some of the small first years soon to be second years watch on enviously as she tugged hers along without much effort. She grinned faintly. They didn't know that she'd drawn runes all over it to make it feather light and safe again the elements. And nobody would guess as she'd opted to take Divination rather than Runes in this life.
Finally getting fed up Ginny took out her wand and said, "Point me!" It took a minute but it pointed in the opposite direction that she was walking. Turning around standing on her trunk she found the Malfoys by the entrance to the muggle station talking to Blaise's parents.
Hopping down she made her way toward the Malfoys. When she had almost reached them Narcissa Malfoy turned to greet her.
" You must be Ginny, it's a pleasure to meet you." Her whole face lit up with a brilliant smile that was so sincere the Ginny beamed at her.
"The pleasure is all mine. Thank you so much for your invitation I'm quite glad to have received one. And well it's an honor to be welcomed in your home." Ginny said in a rush blushing faintly at how nervous she felt.
Narcissa laughed lightly. "Such good manners. We certainly don't have to worry about this one do we Lucius."
Lucius nodded in response, "No we certainly don't have to worry about this refined young lady."
Ginny's face flamed. Refined young lady, huh? She knew how to turn on the charm but she wasn't sure that she was a refined young lady. Draco smirked at her and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Better get used to it they're always doling out compliments whether sincere or not. Lucky you I think they're sincere."
They made their way toward the muggle exit. Lucius made to grab her trunk thinking she was struggling with it and looked surprised when it weighed so little. Ginny laughed delightedly at the surprised look on his face.
"I etched runes all over the inside to make it feather light. If I want to be an auror you have to be good in almost every subject even the ones you aren't taking."
It was unexpected when a black limo pulled up. The Malfoys looked disappointed that she wasn't surprised by the car and with a embarrassed look she reminded them of her father's flying car that had caused such a sensation.
"You know how to drive a car Ms. Weasley?" Lucius asked polietly. Ginny nodded saying, "Well I haven't had much practice recently but I know how." Which was true she'd driven a car on several occassions in the years before she could apparate long distances. It was a very pleasant way to travel compared with portkeys, apparate, or even the floo.
Lucius offered to let her drive but she declined worrying that she'd wreck their car. It was one thing to drive in her father's old beat up car but a car like this...no she wouldn't take that chance.
Ginny knew it was rude but the car ride was mostly spent looking out the window until Narcissa tried to start up a conversation.
"Ginny, dear, I hear you're at the top of your year. It seems Ms. Granger was most upset about this. They must have a good curriculm at Beauxbatons to have turned out such good students."
Ginny nodded uncertain as what to say struggling to remember what her other self had said about the school in the diary she'd found. "It's a little more high class that Hogwarts. Beauxbatons is like a palace just breathtaking. The curriculm is like others but few fail because we are made to study in groups so as to share talents."
"You must speak fluent French being there as long as you were. My mother had all of us girls take up French and it was a practical thing with how much we would travel there. Maybe you would like to accompany me next spring to France. It's been years since I had a traveling companion. I always visit once a year to see the fashion shows and of course to see family."
"Yes, that would be nice. France is lovely that time of the year. We could go visit Fontainebleau castle, it's my favorite place in all of France."
"Oh, I've been there many times and each time I see it-it seems more lovely."
They finished talking as they had reached Malfoy Manor. Stepping out of the car she carefully avoided a puddle. As it was raining a little Lucius summoned an umbrella that she and Draco shared on their walk to the front gates. The gates were opened with a silent spell clearly used so nobody would know exactly what spell was used.
Ginny's shoes clacked against the cobbled stoned path loudly and as the entire sky lit up she stared at the intricate pattens the lightening made. It looked like the sky had shattered from all the lightening which resembled cracks in the sky. She'd always loved the rain because of it's beauty.
When they'd reached the entry hall a small house elf whose name was revealed to be Tilly took her damp cloak drying it with a snap of its fingers and storing it in a large coat closet. Ginny felt so small standing in this huge house where the entry hall alone was bigger that three bedrooms at her house.
Noticing how Draco took out his wand to dry his hair and warm himself from the outside chill Ginny asked, "I take it that it's safe to do magic in here even if we're underage."
"Yes, dear, we have special wards to keep the nosy Ministry out of our business. It's preposterous in my opinion to keep magical children from using magic. I mean it's their birthright! Why should we magically cripple our children for so many years on end. Honestly, by the time children are thirteen they should know well enough to not reveal themselves to muggles."
"Mother feels strongly about this." Draco chimed in.
Narcissa tuted, "Draco, you know it's rude to interrupt."
Draco smiled, "But it's also rude to talk a guests ear off." Narcissa paused and looked slightly embarrassed.
"Oh, well I suppose I am talking your ear off dear. Now how about we get Tilly to show you your room so you can freshen up before dinner."
Tilly appeared out of nowhere probably returning from having put up their trunks. She led Ginny down a maze of hallways and secret passages. Once they actually walked through a gigantic fish tank somehow not getting wet.
Ginny could feel the stares of the paintings as they passed. Several had sneered at her probably recognizing her as a Weasely. The only thing that had lightened her mood was this one picture of a little flower girl who was obviously a young Malfoy waving happily at her from her frame. She waved back causing the girl to squeal excitedly.
When they finally got to Ginny's guestroom her feet ached. When Tippy knocked on the door five times and then two times the door opened several house elves popping out of the room so quickly she almost hadn't seen them.
"Your room Ms. Weezy."
Ginny although used to have extravagant living quarters as she made good money as an auror was stunned to speechlessness by the room. The room was all in her favorite colors blue and silver. The four poster bed was dressed in blue; blue silk pillow cases and blue silk sheets, a silver bedspread with blue silk flowers stiched on it, and blue gossamar curtains that could be pulled around the bed.
Looking past the bed she noticed a dark woodenarmoire where she could store her clothes, a door that probably led to a bathroom, a vanity, and to her delight a window seat overlooking a garden where she could read. Sorting through her trunk she extracted from it a large pile of books which she put in a stack on the window seat for later enjoyment the Head Auror Manual placed on the top of the stack because of its level of importance.
Knowing that she didn't have forever to get dressed as she didn't know if they were having an early or late dinner Ginny thought it was time to prepare. Walking into the bathroom she was also made to stare in awe. There was a jacuzi bath with jets, white marble counters and floor tiles, a silver toliet that sparkled with cleanliness, and a shower with a door that was made of glass that was like fog so you couldn't see in.
After undressing she sank into the water that was so hot it scalded at first but felt so good after she was in a few minutes. She poured in roses scented bathbeads smiling as the room was filled with a floral scent. She used the jasmine shampoo and lily body wash. Scrubbing until her body was red she relaxed for a while almost falling asleep until she heard a knock on her bathroom door.
"Ms. Weezy, dinner is in twenty minutes. Tilly is to help you get dressed. Please hurry Ms. Weezy."
Ginny swore, in all reality she had ten minutes to get ready as the walk to the dining hall was about ten minutes. Hurrying out of the tub the water sloshed over the sides. She quickly dried her hair with a flick of her wand and covering up with a towel she let Tilly in.
Tilly led her back into her room to sit her at the vanity with it's big mirror and assortment of types of makeup. Tilly then walked over the armoire throwing open it's doors so that Ginny could see all her dresses.
"How about the pastel pink dress with the pearl beading." Ginny said as she realized Tilly was waiting for her to choose a dress. It wasn't casual but it also wasn't a formal dress. She figured the Malfoys would dress somewhere in the middle of casual and formal so she decided it was the perfect choice.
With a snap of Tilly's fingers Ginny was wearing the dress. Taking up a comb Tilly gently pulled it through her hair until it was as smooth as silk to the touch and knot free. Handing Ginny a small hand mirror Tilly had Ginny turn around in her seat so her back was to the vanity. Ginny angled the hand mirror just so that she could see the back of her head.
"Now Ms. Weezy what would you like Tilly to do to your hair?"
Knowing that she didn't have much time she simply replied, "I'm sure anything you choose would be fine. Just nothing too extravagant or time consuming Tilly."
Tilly nodded and got to work. Within five minutes she was done. She looked at it and smiled. There were small sections each made wavy all of which were glossy from using spray gel.
She didn't have much time to admire it as Tilly grabbed her hand and had them racing down the halls. Ginny almost tumbled down the stairs unable to get a good footing as they ran at a breakneck speed.
Tilly finally stopped right outside the dining hall. "We has three minutes to catch our breath Ms. Weezy." Ginny nodded panting leaning against the wall for support. There was an amused chuckle behind her.
Ginny almost had a heart attack as she spun around to see Draco leaning against the wall a little ways away. He looked like he usually did elegant without a single hair out of place. But apparently she didn't look like she usually did as she gave her a once over.
"Weasley, as always you clean up nicely. Just a little ruffled from your run," Draco said causing her to run her hands down her dress smoothing out the wrinkles and brushing away dust that had gotten on them from using old little used secret passages.
"We're about to be late." Ginny said taking his hand and hurrying into the hall only to realize that it was empty.
"My parents are always fashionably late. Give it about ten minutes and they'll be here."
Ginny let out a frustrated shriek while Draco continued laughing.
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Ginny had patiently sat through dinner eating slowly trying to show off her good manners when Draco ruined it by making her laugh. She'd started choking when she couldn't help but let loose an ill timed laugh.
Draco patted her on the back with a little too much force so that when she was fine again she glared at him. He gave his trademark smirk and she planned for revenge when Narcissa and Lucius stood showing letting them know dinner was over.
Draco and Lucius stayed behind at the table while Narcissa led Ginny to the drawin room.
"You're in luck Draco as from what I can tell she doesn't hate you as I feared she might. You know what's expected of you as I've shown you my will," Lucius paused leveling Draco with a glare, "While you may choose someone other than Ms. Weasley the only reason to do so is if you find your soulmate or true love."
Draco looked down at his hands and nodded. "She's by no means ugly and is by all means interesting but she sometimes acts like she's your age. I just don't understand her father."
"Ginevra is mysterious and quite dangerous Draco but I think that she'll be good for you. She's the type of woman who will love your children with all her heart rather than scowl at them for ruining her figure, will never embarrass you, and most of all I believe love you not just for money."
Draco seemed thoughtful. It was true that she was quite a catch but did she even like him let alone love him.
They both went into the drawing room surprised to see Ginny seated at the piano hearing the door closed she had stopped playing to turn around and greet them.
"Oh, don't stop Ginevra that was lovely!"Narcissa said scooting over so that Lucius could sit beside her on the loveseat. Draco sat in a cushiony armchair across from his parents looking over his shou lder at Ginny.
"What are you playing?" Lucius asked curious.
"Rivers flow within you by Yiruma. It's a nice muggle piece...I understand if you don't like muggle music I could play something else if you don't like it." Ginny said hesitantly starting to look at her other options she supposed she could play a christmas piece.
"No that's okay Ginevra continue with your piece."
Smiling Ginny ran her fingers over the keys playing it slowly loving every moment of it.
She played for about an hour before heading off to bed. Tomorrow was the dance. The seamstress would come early in the morning so she would have to rise with the sun.
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