~Intruder
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 1: History has a tendency of repeating itself... dammit.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. (Disclaimer as distributed in FictionAlley) Victoria, Darius, Octavia, Hugo and Fabian are mine.
A/N's: This is my first fic. Please, be gentle:P
***
The shop was dim and quiet. The cloaks, black, white, grey or colourful, patterned or plain, in all sizes and designs were hanged by the walls in a circular manner leaving a clear view to the outside. Ginny Weasley was sitting behind the bench, chin in one hand, the other resting down, fingers tapping on the wood. She let out a bored sigh and wondered for the thousandth time that day if this was the way, normal wizards spend their twenty-first birthday. Yes, it was her birthday and no letter or present had yet arrived sent by her family or any of her old friends. She was currently feeling lonely and eternally condemned to oblivion.
She raised her hand and quickly wiped the tear that began forming in her eye. No one remembers my birthday. Gone for three years and everyone forgot I exist anymore. Am I dead to them? After graduating from Hogwarts, Ginny had decided to move in Malta where she could expand her studies on Medieval Magical Artefacts. She had thought she would live quite happily in Valletta and at first she did. She had found herself a nice small flat, near the ancient castle where the Maltese Ministry of Magic was housed and the wizarding market also; in fact, the only wizarding market in Malta. She found a job as a sales person at Madame Malkin's, No, not Madame Malkin's anymore. It's called Malkin's WizardWear now. Victoria changed it as a part of her new improvement policy. Even her subject was interesting, no professor Binns hovering above her head and all.
But on this day she felt angry and more homesick than ever. Before, she had been so busy she had no time on herself, dividing her time between work and school. Summer was almost here though and that meant she would finish soon and then she could go home and prove to everyone she was not dead at all.
And yes summer was really taking over, as the weather grew hotter and hotter. Ginny was boiling there in Malta where the sun was so much hotter and brighter like in all Mediterranean regions. And that didn't help at all in her general moodiness.
Scratch that, she thought instantly after noticing a familiar figure passing by the window of the shop. Familiar because Ginny never missed the chance to see him go by and Merlin! Did he worth every second Ginny wasted on him. Ginny straightened up, taking a better look at him. Feast on him, my eyes!
Tall, definitely beating 6 foot 2, with an exceptional fit body, he was the focal point of the whole court. A path was created before him as everyone stepped aside and let him through, affected by his regal stature. Ginny sighed once again, but it certainly wasn't boredom she felt. The 'Greek god,' as she called him, was blond, lightly tanned and had the most adorable dimples when he smiled. And that happened, quite often, to the pretty girls he came across. Ginny wasn't sure what colour his eyes were but she solidly believed they had the most amazing shade of cerulean blue.
However she'd studied him close enough not to notice he left the first three buttons of his elegant robe undone and look every boy is copying the same fashion. If I got my hands on him I could certainly come up with some ideas on to what would happen to the rest of them. More thoughts of the same kind passed through her mind and felt herself blush. My perfect birthday present: him in his birthday suit.
Suddenly she saw him look at something and his face brightened, the cute dimples appearing. She stretched over the bench to find out what he was looking at and her own smile disappeared from her lips.
The cause of her sudden change of mood was another of the awe-inspiring, crowd-splitting kind; only of the female gender this time. She was the kind that every girl openly hated and secretly admired. Towering over most people (including Ginny herself), a woman of exceptional beauty with long dark hair that shined, eyes as blue as any sky dared to be called blue and a figure some girls would kill for. She was as always dressed in robes that complimented her silhouette, always in the latest of fashion. In fact she created fashion being the one and only Victoria Malkin, heir of the Malkin Industries and (surprise!) Ginny's boss.
In the meantime, Victoria had approached the 'god' and gracefully allowed him to kiss her cheek. He proceeded to put his arm around her waist but she stopped him, giving another of her dashing smiles. Ginny's blood was throbbing in her veins and gave a faint sound, her only reaction to the scene. Ginny saw him saying something to her and her replying, then kissing him back and finally coming towards the shop's direction. He remained there looking at her for a brief moment, then turned and left.
Ginny only had a moment to come to her senses and thankfully she did before Victoria opened the door. She and Victoria were friends and she wouldn't do anything to hurt her feelings even though she was feeling miserable and frankly she believed Victoria to be an airhead. She had known Victoria from Hogwarts although she was a second year Ravenclaw when she had been a first year. She had only stayed in Hogwarts for four years then went to Beauxbatons following the advice of Fleur Delacourt. Fleur's influence was apparent all over her as she walked in the shop, with a radiant smile.
"Hello Ginny, darling," Victoria greeted her, "how is business doing?"
"Hey, how are you? Well you know, this time of the year is usually dead."
"Really? Maybe we should have a sale. It's near summer anyway and I'll be bringing the bathing suit line in a while."
"That sounds good," Ginny somewhat resented the fact she might have been an airhead but she certainly knew business.
Ginny was struggling not to ask her about the 'god'. "So, err, what's new?"
Victoria smiled at that. "Go ahead, ask me. I can see you're dying to."
Ginny blushed but asked anyway. "New boyfriend?"
"Hardly, we've been dating for six months."
"And, umm, is he from around here?"
Victoria gave a chuckle and waved her hand carelessly. "Oh no, he's British. Although he must have some French ancestors as well. Isn't Malfoy a French name?"
Ginny goggled at her. "Malfoy? As in Draco Malfoy? As in Lucius Malfoy?"
"Not that prick Draco silly. This is Darius Malfoy, Draco's older brother."
***
Ginny was almost certain her eyes were on the verge of popping out. Everyone now knew the Malfoys. After the last downfall of Voldemort (the people had finally stopped fearing his name) the story of Lucius and his involvement with the Death Eaters as well as his preposterous actions concerning his family was being told from mouth to mouth and had cause a great shock. Apparently Lucius Malfoy had taken over the family fortune, twenty years back, by kicking out his own father. When he was sent to Azkaban, Hugo Malfoy took back his rightful place proving to everyone he was not at all worthless but most of all proved he did not share his son's beliefs. He had given a great deal of money and effort to help the wizarding world recover and restore the long lost balance. Thus no one questioned his allegiance to Dumbledore. The Malfoy name was now spoken with respect and not fear. Ginny could tell there was more to this story and so let Victoria fill her in.
"It's funny, one would say, everyone had thought the Malfoys were Voldemort's most loyal supporters and yet, once Lucius is out of the way they turn all goody goody. But I believe Darius when he says it's absolutely true. Apparently Lucius had bribed Fudge's predecessor and thus had his own father declared unstable. Of course back then, Voldemort must have had put a hand in this. Anyhow the whole mess was cleared up and Hugo did his thing and even helped my mum back then when Malkin Industries were in trouble. It's too bad his old age finally caught up with him. He must be even older than that Mad Eye Moody fellow. And what do you expect when the old guy had to spend seventeen years in a damp grey old chamber at St Mungo's. So now Hugo holds his title as the Malfoy Head in formal occasions. So you see, Octavia (that's Lucius eldest child), runs the business in the mainland where Darius my darling attends business abroad. And thank Merlin for that or I might have not met him at all. I couldn't imagine my life without him.
Oh sorry, now where was I? Ah yes, Octavia. She has a son named Fabian (isn't that just cute? My dearest Darius has a nephew!!). He's a bastard son as Darius confided to me. That's why she had to leave Hogwarts and she never actually finished her magical studies. They had to send her to a muggle school the poor girl. I can only imagine the fit Lucius must've thrown. Banned her from the family and all. Same thing he did to Darius, the bastard. He sent him to Durmstrang in an attempt to make him more like himself but didn't succeed. He rebelled and ran away and Lucius banned him as well and later wouldn't take him back."
At this point Victoria turned her voice into a whisper.
"It seems that only Draco (you remember him right? He was in my year?) was to follow his father's footsteps. Darius says he loves him but Draco is closed up like a shellfish and lets no one in. He's the only one who doesn't seem happy about Lucius' imprisonment and Voldemort's downfall. But he still lives at the Malfoy Manor with the rest of the family. Darius is very sad about the fact that he keeps fighting with his mother and grandfather. I feel so sorry for Narcissa and what she also must have been through..."
Victoria stopped talking and looked thoughtful. Ginny was digesting still the information she had just received and was also perplexed by the amount of trust Victoria had shown her. A strange, uncomfortable silence fell between them which matched the sunset that had approached without neither of them noticing.
"Oh my, what time is it? I have a date with Darius!" Victoria cut off the silence and Ginny gratefully followed her example.
"It's gotten pretty late. I should close the shop as well."
"You know it's our half year anniversary."
"Excellent!" Ginny gave her a small but sincere smile. "I hope you have many more ahead of you. I think you two look absolutely fabulous together."
Immediately Victoria's face glowed. "Yes, me too." Then she turned and walked to the door. She then suddenly stopped. "Oh, dear I totally forgot! Ginny darling, happy birthday to you. Then Ginny gave her a big smile.
"Thanks! Don't worry about it. Have a good time."
"Yeah, you too," and vanished with a loud pop.
Ginny was left having an even worse mood that before; she hoped Victoria hadn't noticed that. And she was feeling sorry for Darius and his family, even that git Draco. No one deserved a father like that. But she was mostly feeling sorry for herself, for letting her heart fall for a stranger, with someone she hardly knew and have history repeat itself once again. It was the same thing with Harry happening all over again, who had never noticed her and before she could even get a chance to properly talk to him, Cho came in the way. Beautiful, clever, skilled quidditch player Cho. She remembered feeling a rather petty satisfaction when Harry got over his infatuation with her in the end, although she had long gotten over Harry, and was happily seeing Dean Thomas at the time. But that didn't matter now because she fell for that ancient trick of fortune's and the old bitterness rose up again to the surface and she tasted it and she hated it. She then gave a resigned chuckle and got up to close the shop.
The sun was now set and the castle around Ginny was dim and washed out as if someone had painted it in watercolours then poured a bucket of water over it. This was Ginny's favourite hour. She cast the locking spells on the shop door and waited for the Ministry wizard to light the torches which were spread all around the court. And so the wizard came and with a switch of his put-outer, all the torches lit up one by one, replacing the washed out effect with a golden magnificence.
***
"Oh, Gin, he proposed!" an excited Victoria rushed in the shop the next day and extended her left arm, right in Ginny's face. Ginny dreaded this moment and hoped it wouldn't be too soon. Guess I was wrong. And yet she couldn't but wear a happy face for her friend which to be honest was rather difficult having that diamond beaming the sunlight in her eyes.
"I'm really happy for you darling," she said, and with a swift move, pushed Victoria's hand away from her face. However that didn't discouraged Victoria who continued.
"I think I'll spare you the details of the dinner but I can assure you, it was très romantique. My darling, he has better taste than any man I've ever met."
Ginny's mouth twisted. "And don't you find that a little peculiar?"
"Don't you dare imply anything!" Victoria exclaimed.
"Hey, I'm just saying --"
"No, you're implying and I don't want to hear it!"
"I bet this thought has occurred to you before."
"Shut up."
"Yes sir boss sir."
"And for your information, he has quite the qualities one might look for in a man."
"Hey, whatever."
"And I hold no doubt he is a real man."
"..."
"I hate you!"
"I love you too Vic."
"Argh!"
Ginny gave a curious look to Victoria and saw she was crossed. Victoria looked back at her, Ginny blinked and they both burst out laughing. "I'm joking luv, I'm sure. he is quite the catch."
Oh, I know you do. But it wouldn't matter either way because I love him. I do you know."
Ginny felt a sting in her heart. "I believe you," and she smiled at her.
"Anyways, that's not the reason for me being here today."
"Now I'm hurt."
"Shush and let me talk. I wanted to ask you something," Victoria said with hidden significance.
"What," Ginny was getting suspicious.
Victoria took a deep breath. "Well, you see, Darius has suggested that we should do the wedding back in England with his family. And I agreed. So I'll be going to live at the Malfoy Manor for a while to get to know his family and plan the wedding."
"Are you getting to the point yet?"
"Yes! I want you to be my maid of honour."
"Huh?"
"You heard me."
Ginny was speechless. She didn't know what to think, what to say, what to feel. "Victoria, listen--"
"Gin you can't say no. We've known each other for years, you stood for me when I was in trouble here in Malta and you're the only one who can make me come to my senses with that loathed humour of yours. You belong to my side as my maid of honour. Pleeaaaaaaaase!"
Damn you Darius Malfoy, how dare you come between me and my friend. But it's not your fault, of course it isn't. It's ALL mine and I had it coming. "Victoria darling, I'll be honoured to be your maid of honour. Isn't that what it means anyway? Or..? Oh hell who cares."
Victoria hugged Ginny till she was out of breath. "So you'll stay with me at the Manor, help me plan the wedding, although you won't have an opinion on the decorations, I know you suck in those things."
"I resent that!"
"It doesn't matter if you resent it or love it; I'm not letting you anyway. Oh, stop sulking. And, oh I should probably introduce to Darius too. Sorry for not doing it sooner. And I'll probably need you to help me adjust living with Darius' family since I'll be having you around so--"
"Hey, hold on a second there."
Victoria exhaled. "What."
"I can't meet the Malfoys. They hate me and my family. Me Weasley, they Malfoy, remember?"
"Don't be silly that was racist crap of Lucius. They don't share his opinion. That was between your dad and him."
"And what about my family? I haven't seen them in years. I was planning to go back to them after my studies. And my studies! I can't go back to England just yet!"
"Well, I'm not going straight away, I have business to arrange here also. I'm a businesswoman, I can't just drop everything and rush to get married."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Well I won't. I'll have to move my main offices back to London and other stuff to take care of, since I'll be living there. Besides it's boring here. I've already seen all those boring prehistoric sights and been to all the clubs."
"Sometimes I'm just amazed by your ignorance. They're not prehistoric, they're medieval and those 'boring' sights are one of the main attractions of the islands."
"Hey! Don't be disrespectful. I'm older."
"Watch out now. You don't want Darius to find that out, do you?" Ginny's voice turned mocking.
"Shut up."
******
A/N's: This chapter doesn't really say much but I promise the second will even have a hint of plot!! About Ginny living in Malta, I just wanted her away from home and I picked that place, no particular reason, save the fact that I really want to visit it one day. Umm, also, you will meet the whole Malfoy family in later chapters I just wanted this to be a sort of introduction to them. Next chapter Ginny finds it hard to refuse Victoria's requests, Victoria schemes and Draco is really really bored... for now.