When Ginny got out of the grate at the Leaky Cauldron she realized in annoyance that she was covered in soot. Lovely. She dusted herself off and barely remembered to get out of the way right before Hermione came sliding out of the floo much more gracefully than Ginny had. Ginny smiled. Hermione had always been the graceful one out of the two.
"So, where is this.. erm. What was it called again? Poet's Corner?"
"Yes... It's where Florean Fortescue's used to be."
"What happened to the ice cream parlour?"
"It moved next to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes to get more business, as all the people who really want ice cream would also be at a joke shop, right? That part of Diagon Alley is known as the Children's End, all because of Fred and George. Now there's even a daycare center fenced in where Knockturn Alley was before it was evacuated and collapsed."
"I feel like I've missed so much," Ginny said as she pulled her phone out of her purse to answer a text message.
"Oh. Don't worry about it. Is that a cell phone?"
"Yeah."
"How'd you get it to work here?"
"I have it charmed to run on magic."
"Oh, Ginny. You should market that!"
"They are marketing it in America."
"As far as I've seen they haven't here... So, how was life in America?"
"It was different. They used muggle things as much as they used wands. And it was very... less old fashioned. The Quidditch gear there didn't involve robes at all. Just shorts, short sleeved shirts, padding under the uniform, and elbow and knee pads. They had a different floo system, and... there were loads and loads of clubs and the streets weren't as cluttered as London's. But it was nothing like home."
"It sounds like I should visit sometime."
"Yeah... it was... amazing... But I was just running away." She tugged at the hem of her sweater awkwardly. Then looked at her phone to see who had sent her a text message. It was Olivia, the team captain.
WEASLEY, YOU SHOULD HAVE WAITED TIL THE END OF THE SEASON TO BAIL.
YEAH RIGHT? AND MISS A BIT OF A HOLIDAY? NO THANKS.
Ginny slid her phone into her purse and looked at Hermione guiltily. "Sorry. One of my old teammates griping at me for missing the end of the season."
"Why did you leave before the end of the season?" Hermione asked curiously.
"I wouldn't have been able to have a break before the British season started. It starts up a week after the American season ends."
"Oh. Well here we are," Hermione gestured to the quaint little cafe with a flourish of her arm.
"It's cute!" Ginny burst out. And it was. The cafe was a red-bricked building with a window that read Poet's Corner in what had to be Gigi Font, Ginny thought. You could smell coffee as soon as you opened the door, and Ginny instantly felt at home as she walked on top of the hollow sounding floors that felt like they might just collapse.
She looked at the little round tables and the big cups left in some of the booths. This place could feel like home. Ginny looked at the big chalk board by the cash register and tried to read. Caramel Macchiato... Espresso. Chai Latte. What did she want?
Hermione led her to a table in a secluded back room that had no windows. "I prefer the tables in this room," Hermione explained. "The press can't see anyone in here. And they can't hear anything either."
Ginny nodded in understanding. Though the press never hounded her, she had seen the pictures of Harry every once in a while, even in America.
Hermione pushed a button on the menu, and soon her food was there. Ginny looked on startled. That was certainly strange. What happened to the charm of making small talk before the meal?
She put her finger on the menu button and food that she hadn't even thought of appeared. She put a slightly frustrated look on her face. "Oh. I forgot to tell you that it reads what you would choose given your mood, taste buds, and what you're most partial to."
"Wow. This is crazy. Almost annoying."
"I do miss how things used to be... maybe next monday we could go to a muggle restaurant?"
"That would be amazing," Ginny said, and then realized something. "Hermione, I did something stupid."
"I'm sure it will be fine. What did you do?"
"I asked Malfoy out on a date."
"What?" Hermione's mouth dropped open.
"Harry was coming down the hall, and I'd happened to ask him where your office was. I realized it was him, and then I sort of rubbed up against him. I have a date with him on Friday. But I'm pretty sure he caught my drift because he started to play along."
"Why did you do that Ginny?" Ginny didn't know what to think. But she could tell by the look on her friends face that she was honestly baffled.
"Wait..." Hermione caught on as Ginny blushed and started to tug at the hem of her jumper again. "Don't tell me you're still in love with Harry!"
When Ginny didn't say anything Hermione squealed the slightest bit.
"Why are you so shocked?" Ginny asked.
"Well... it's been eight years since you and Harry were together."
"Five, actually," Ginny corrected.
"But that was... wait..."
"Last time I saw him before the Final Battle was June 20th."
"You remember the exact date?"
"Well... I thought I might be pregnant three weeks later. But I wasn't."
"Oh my goodness!" Hermione said.
Ginny looked back down at her finger nails. "Anyways... what do I do?"
Hermione looked deep in thought and to be arguing with herself. "I think it would be best," she said carefully, "if you ended up going to Harry's favourite pub with Draco. Don't be completely slaggy, but act like you like him."
"Okay. How do I do this?"
"I'll help you get ready."
"Thanks Hermione, you're a life saver!"
"Well, you know me," Hermione said jokingly.
"Yeah, I do," Ginny giggled.
"So. Have you dated at all in the last five years?" Hermione asked.
"Um... one guy. His name was Jake. He was a muggle, but my friend Mia's brother. He'd moved to New York before her, and was showing us around... but he still couldn't hold a candle to Harry, no matter how sweet he was."
"How long were you two dating?"
"About a year."
"Wow."
"Yeah, luckily I didn't have to tell him about the wizarding world as his sister is a witch."
"You wouldn't have been able to tell him unless you married, anyways."
"Yeah, I know. But how have you and Ron been? And how come you eloped?" Ginny asked trying to level the playing field a bit.
"Oh, we've been wonderful," Hermione said happily.
"I bet you have. Got all that sexual tension out with shagging instead of rowing now, yeah?"
"Ginny!" Hermione admonished.
"I'm just saying... Everyone's seen it coming since second year, you know."
"What? I didn't even have a crush on him in second year!"
"My second year, Herm. I'd say you were both pretty erm... sexually tense from then on. Though Ron never noticed, and you never seemed to either."
"I knew how I felt. But I never figured Ron felt the same way. Especially in fourth year when he asked me to the Yule Ball as a last resort."
"You still haven't answered my other question," Hermione looked at Ginny questioningly. Ginny rolled her eyes and continued on. "Why'd you elope?"
"Well... it just seemed simpler that way. Harry was our best man and witness."
"Don't there need to be two witnesses?"
"Hmm... yeah. I think the other witness was... Cho."
"Ew," Ginny wrinkled her nose in displeasure.
"Why do you dislike her so much Ginny, other than the obvious 'she's dating Harry' bit?"
"She's... nasty." Hermione frowned at her. "She just gives me this horrible feeling in my stomach that makes me want to vomit and run away and warn against her."
"Gin... are you being honest with yourself?"
"Yes I am! I haven't liked her since my second year!"
"If you say so, Gin. Anyways, the lunch hour's almost over. Let's go up to the counter and pay, and you can hang out in my office or you can go wherever."
"I think I might visit Draco... smooth out some plans for Friday, as I forgot to specify a place to meet. What was the name of Harry's pub?"
"It this muggle place that Harry actually owns, called The Marauder's Map."
"What a cute name," Ginny said wanting to sneer, but not being able to bring herself to. She couldn't help trying to honour the memory of the Marauders.
"Oh yes," Hermione agreed. "Anyways, he'll be there with Cho. Make sure Draco is definitely in the know that this is just to make Harry jealous."
"Why are you condoning this, Herm?"
"Because honestly, no one really likes Cho... we are all just better actors than you. She was alright in Hogwarts. But I drew the line in fifth year when she was so rude to Harry when I needed to get an interview from him for Rita Skeeter."
"I'm sure. Anyways, where is Draco's office at?"
"Um, it's across from my office."
"Thanks Herm," Ginny said as she waved to Stan. "How is Arthur?" she asked in regard to her youngest nephew.
"He's doing well. He's potty training right now. I never imagined it would be this difficult."
"Mum didn't think to warn you?"
"No. She wanted me to pop out a few grandkids for her."
Ginny laughed. That was just like her mum. The lift stopped and they continued down the corridor. They got to their intended offices and parted ways.
Ginny knocked on the door. "Come in!" Draco's voice came through the door. Ginny grinned. She looked forward to planning her Make-Harry-Jealous plam with him.
She kicked the door in, "This is a hold up! Put your hands where I can see them and nobody gets hurt!" Draco looked up startled, automatically throwing his hands into the air. Ginny started to laugh hysterically. "The look- on- your- face! Hahahaha! You- should- have- seen! Hahahahahahaha!" Ginny was holding her stomach trying to control her laughter. She grabbed her wand and fixed the door, and went over to sit on Draco's desk.
She got her breathing under control, and looked at him honestly. "I saw that on TV once... You know what a TV is?"
Draco shook his head no. "It's this box that muggles have, and it's got pictures in it. But it has sound, and you can control the channels with this thing called a remote. You should watch it sometime. It's awesome."
Draco seemed to finally find his voice. "What are you doing on my desk, in my office, Weaslette?" he asked much too loudly for her comfort.
"Shh Draco. Wouldn't want anyone to think that you dislike me, would you?" she asked playfully. "I came in here to plot evil plots with you."
"You should keep your mouth down! If someone hears the word evil plots from someone in my office, they'll report me. No one particularly likes me, you know."
"Well you could have been a bit nicer in school then, yeah?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Whatever. So when and where?"
"Friday. Six o clock. We'll just meet at the train station, yeah?"
"Why there?"
"You don't still have an intense hatred of muggles do you?" She asked ignoring his question.
"No," Draco ground out in annoyance.
"Good. We're going to a muggle pub. And we'll get there by foot."
"Why there?"
She set her voice to a whisper. "It's Harry's favourite that he goes to every Friday," she said.
He nodded in understanding. "What shall I wear?"
"Something casual, I'd assume... And muggle clothing would be good, all things considering."
"Right. Erm. Why are you still here?"
"Because we need to discuss things, still."
He eyed her speculatively, and decided that she must have been driven a little bonkers by the yanks. "Yes?"
"You do understand that this is a faux date, correct?"
He nodded. "Great! Do you have any spare parchment, and perhaps a quill?" She asked.
He sighed. Why why why? He searched for his extra scroll and a quill and ink in annoyance. "You're not planning on staying here, are you?"
"Why of course, darling," Ginny said rather loudly.
Draco winced. He handed her the parchment, quill, and ink. He watched as she began writing right away. He went back to his work and then she opened her big mouth again.
"Do you have a different color, perhaps?"
Draco huffed and pulled out his green ink. "There!"
"No need to be so testy, darling. If you give a mouse a cookie," she said.
He rolled his eyes and went back to his work.
Ginny was finished and waited patiently for Draco to finish his days work before she interrupted again. When he began to tidy up his desk, she grabbed the ink wells and the quill.
"Here is a contract!" She proclaimed.
"For what?" He exclaimed.
"Shush! It's for our agreement, alright?"
"Fine, let me read it, and I'll sign it." Weaslette was beginning to remind him of a child.
He began reading. I _ agree to the following terms of this relationship:
"Relationship?" He asked.
"Keep reading!" She demanded.
1. I will meet Miss Weasley only when she says and where she says
2. I will not infringe on Miss Weasley's personal space unless she asks me to
3. I will only listen to Miss Weasley if Mr. Potter is around
4. I will tell no one in Miss Weasley's family of this
5. No one except perhaps Hermione Weasley, of course
6. This is not really a relationship, but a business proposition.
7. This business proposition is merely for Miss Weasley and I's pleasure to torment Mr. Potter.
8. I will compose one song for Miss Weasley to be sung in a week's time at the Marauder's Map.
This is my truth _ date _
"This is outrageous!" He said.
"Business, dear," she said smiling sweetly. "I just wanted you to know that, and also that this will be on my terms."
"The funny thing is I still can't see why he chose Chang over you. I mean she may be pretty and all... but her personality is even worse than yours!"
"Gee thanks, Draco!"
"It's my job, Weaslette," he said grabbing his quill and the green ink to sign her stupid document. He signed his name and dated it.
"There, don't forget to let it dry."
"Right. Nice doing business with you," she held out her hand for him to shake. He shook his head and took her hand. "Are you done with today's work?"
"Yes."
"Great! We've got a show to put on!" She walked quickly to the door and walked out first. She looked around and saw Harry standing waiting for the lifts. "Show time!" She whispered gleefully. She grabbed onto his hands and began to skip.
"Wait, er, Ginny," he said trying to refrain from the term "Weaslette". "I've gotta lock my office up."
"Fine," Ginny said smiling sweetly. "Hey there, Harry!" She said waving down the hallway to make sure she and Draco had his attention. She watched as Draco stashed his key back in his pocket, and began pulling at his hand. He willingly let her pull him, albeit a bit reluctantly.
When they got to the lifts, it opened up at once.
Ginny smiled, still holding onto Draco's hand.
"Hello, Malfoy," Harry said a little less than pleasantly.
Draco smirked. "Hello, Potter."
"Guess where Draco is taking me Harry!"
"Where?"
"He's taking me to the London Eye! Isn't that cool. You would think I'd have been there by now, but I never have."
"That's lovely. What's he paying you?" he whispered.
Ginny giggled. "Flowers!"
"Wow Draco."
"Yeah... couldn't say no to her!" he joked.
"I'm sure," Harry said. He got off at the next stop and Ginny found herself laughing.
As soon as the lifts doors closed again she let go of his hand. "Right. Friday. Six o clock. Train station. Don't forget."
"Like I could. I get to torment Potter."
The lift stopped at the lowest level and Ginny waved as she walked over to the floo systems. She flooed to the Burrow.
"Hello, Ginny dear," her mum said.
"Hey Mum."
"Did you have fun with Hermione?"
"Oh yeah. Great fun," Ginny smiled mischeivously.
Molly frowned, wondering what her daughter was planning. "That's good, dear. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"Is anyone coming over?"
"No."
"Great. What are we having?"