"What time do you close shop, Weasley?"
"At five," Ginny answered. She was busy trying to juggle serving, cleaning, baking, and cashing. Business had been booming lately. And she was having a hard time trying to figure out whether or not she should hire a helping hand. "Why?"
"Tonight is girl's night out," Pansy replied. She sneered at an old man who was staring at her cleavage. "Luna thought that you would like to tag along."
"I'll have to get back to you on that one." Ginny smiled at an elderly woman who had just ordered a basket of scones. "I need to have a nine layer wedding cake done by tomorrow morning."
Pansy wrinkled her nose. "You're choosing to work on girl's night out night?"
"I don't have a choice." Ginny ran into the back to get a new tray of cookies. "I have to work in order to survive."
Ginny ignored Pansy as she pouted. The redhead was too busy running around and grabbing dirty cups and saucers from her tables. Business had been like this for the past week, ever since Draco Malfoy and Tracey Davis broke up. It had been speculated that Ginny had been the reason behind the breakup. Of course, Tracey had leaked that information herself in hopes she would get more publicity. However, it seemed that not many people were a fan of her as was evident by the various comments she got from day to day.
"Pansy, move or help," Ginny said, nudging the black haired beauty out of the way.
"You want me to work?"
"Or leave," Ginny added.
"Fine," Pansy huffed. "What do you want me to do?"
Ginny couldn't help but to pause and gape. "You want to help?"
"I don't have anything to do at the moment," Pansy explained, shrugging.
Ginny shut her mouth while thinking of something for Pansy to do. "Well, you could take over the register. All you have to do is handle the orders. I will do the baking and cleaning."
"Easy enough," Pansy said. "But I will only help on one condition."
"I knew there was a catch," Ginny grumbled. "What is it?"
"You have to come tonight." Pansy smirked at Ginny, knowing that the redhead couldn't possibly say no. She needed help. "What do you say?"
"Fine," Ginny said.
"Good, now, give me an apron." Ginny did as Pansy said, handing her an apron. Soon, Pansy was commanding the room with no problems, smiling and being friendly to her customers. "Thank you for coming."
Ginny shook her head as she moved into the kitchen. At least with Pansy working in the front, she could get some baking done for the nine layer wedding cake. In Ginny's opinion, it was a bit obnoxious to have a nine layer wedding cake. But, apparently, it was for a society wedding. Her client, Violet Hartford, had gone home with a slice of Serena's cake and loved it. She insisted that Ginny do the wedding cake, which had to be a golden cake with her buttercup icing in white instead of yellow. Not to mention, the cake had to be decorated with, big shocker, violets.
Ginny set to work, her mind focused on her cake. She always had a sense of calm while baking. It helped to soothe her. Her utmost concentration was on the cake. She didn't have time to think of anything but the cake. She didn't have any thoughts plaguing her mind such as the continued tension between her and her parents. No irrational fear that Draco may one day decide to tear Serena out of her life. No, while baking, nothing else mattered except making a perfect mixture for her cake.
"Ginny, you're out of blueberry muffins." Pansy shook the redhead out of her reverie. "I think you should make some more before the evening crowd comes in."
Ginny looked up in shock. "Evening crowd? What time is it?"
"It's nearly three," Pansy said. "You also might want to make some more scones. They are quite delicious. How do you work here and still manage to be so thin?"
"I am not thin." Ginny snorted. "I am far from it."
"You're simply curvaceous," Pansy said lightly. "Now, I would get to work on the scones and muffins."
"They'll be ready in a bit." Ginny shooed her out of the kitchen.
Ginny got back to work, cake, scones, and muffins in the oven. It was a good thing she had learned how to enlarge things. Otherwise, she would have been screwed. It was difficult trying to run a bakery with a regular kitchen sized oven. In fact, it was almost impossible, especially with a bakery as popular as Ginny's, a fact which didn't escape her. She knew she would have to get the kitchen redone soon. But she was waiting another month. She had to give herself enough time to make the right amount of money.
The telltale ring of the oven timer reminded her that the scones and muffins were done. The cake took a longer time to bake than the rest. She removed the two pans from the oven, transferring the scones and muffins onto two different serving platters, which fit the display case. Taking the two sheets, she carried them out into the bakery, surprised to see Pansy taking them from her hands, setting them inside the display case. She was actually being helpful.
"Harry told me you were back."
Ginny smiled. "Hello, Cho."
The years hadn't really changed Cho. There was no difference in her appearance, except for the little boy at her side. He was a replica of what young Harry must have looked like. He even had the unruly locks. He was amazingly adorable. Ginny couldn't help but to smile as she looked at him. She was sure that Harry was perfectly happy with his life now.
"I'm sorry about what happened with your family," Cho said. "Harry told me."
"Thank you. But this really isn't the right place to talk about that," Ginny said, eyeing the many reporters outside her doors. "I have to get back to work anyways. It's a busy day. But it's great seeing you."
"Well, I wanted to order some desserts for an event I'm hosting. It's in two months," Cho said. "I didn't know how much advance warning you needed."
"Only a week or two," Ginny replied. She pointed at a stack of parchments on the counter with a quill and ink pot next to it. "Those are the order forms. I can do just about anything."
"Thanks. I hear your sweets are really good." Cho took one of the parchments. "The event is a charity event for orphans. Harry and I are really involved. We'd love it if you could come."
"Sure," Ginny replied. "I'll even donate the treats. Just leave a list and details on the date."
"I'll send you an invite," Cho said, smiling. "It was good seeing you."
"Likewise, Cho," Ginny responded.
"Ginny, don't burn your cake!"
~~~~~~~~
Hours later, Ginny found herself enduring an hour of searching through racks of Pansy Parkinson's clothing for a perfect outfit. Apparently, Pansy thought the Ginny's wardrobe didn't offer enough clothes. And as Ginny didn't have the money to buy a new outfit, she found herself at Pansy's flat, which was simply amazing in Ginny's humble opinion.
Pansy had marble flooring throughout the entire flat, except for the bedrooms, which had carpeted floors. The bathroom was decked out in platinum because, according to Pansy, gold was too much of a Gryffindor color. The kitchen, which, Ginny was informed, had only been used once, was Ginny's idea of a dream kitchen, down to the ice cream maker.
"What about this one?" Pansy held a piece of cloth against her body, the fabric hitting her navel. "It's one of those stretchy muggle dresses."
Ginny wrinkled her nose. "That is a top, not a dress."
"This is the third dress I've shown you," Pansy said, a glare being shot in Ginny's direction. "You're smaller than I am so short things will fit you longer. Now, the next dress I choose is the one you will wear."
An hour later, Ginny was shoved into one of the tightest, shortest, dresses she had ever worn in her life. Mind you, it was a gorgeous dress, the type of dress that Ginny could have only dreamt of wearing before. The bandage style dress, as Pansy called it, was deep blue, almost black, with silver embellishments to match the very beautiful pair of stilettos Ginny had on her feet.
Ginny found that this was perhaps a bit too much for a night out at the pub. But, as she found out when she, Luna, and Pansy entered the darkened doorway of the so-called pub, it was no pub. In fact, it was a very dark, sexual, night club, filled with gyrating bodies, alcohol, and finger foods. It wasn't what Ginny had in mind, especially not when she knew Luna, a heavily pregnant Luna, was coming along.
"Luna, should you be here?" Ginny had to shout in order to be heard over the crowd. "You're pregnant."
"Loosen up, Weasley," Pansy shouted. "Luna and I come here every week without fail."
"But she's pregnant," Ginny yelled.
"I'm fine, Ginny," Luna screamed. "We come here because you can't smoke inside. It's still alright for me to be out and about."
"Mrs. Zabini, Ms. Parkinson, your table is ready," said a man with tanned skin, green eyes, and a body to die for. "Will Ms. Davis be joining you?"
"Merlin, I hope not," Luna said loudly. "Good riddance, I say."
The man chuckled. "Shall I just get a table for two then?"
"Julio, meet our friend, Ginevra Weasley," Luna yelled. "She's our new partner in crime."
"Another one for the boys to drool over, then," Julio said, his voice suave, even as he yelled over the loud music. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Weasley."
"Nice to meet you too, Julio." Ginny smiled.
"I'm here if you need any services."
The way Julio said services made Ginny think of a bed and two very naked bodies. She quickly shook these thoughts off as she followed Pansy, Luna, and Julio to a booth near to the dance floor. They were so close they could practically feel the heat radiating off the bodies melded together on the dance floor. Somehow, this made everything seem so erotic and enjoyable.
"Check out the dark haired man at the bar," Luna said, her normal voice making do as a whisper. "He is dishy."
Pansy glared at Luna. "How many times have I told you not to let Blaise come?"
"Pansy, I need to be able to go home with one man," Luna said, watching Blaise make his way across the room. "You and Ginny are single. Go mingle. Oh, I rhymed."
"Hi, love," Blaise greeted. He smiled at Pansy and Ginny. "You ladies are looking very lovely
tonight."
"Thank you," Ginny replied. Pansy just sulked. "Pansy, there's a redhead checking you out over there."
Pansy smiled coyly. "You didn't?"
"I didn't." Ginny waved to her brother. "Well, I didn't invite him. I only told him where to find me tonight and who I would be with."
"Did I ever tell you the story about the surprise I gave him?"
"Please, don't." Ginny waved over a passing waitress, only getting attention when Ron and Blaise both took up seats at the table. "What's the recommended drink?"
"If you're feeling up to it, we have the Bartender's Special tonight." The waitress jumped as someone sat down at the table, shocking her. "Uhm-it has coconut rum, pineapple juice, a dash of Firewhisky, more for the alcohol than flavor, and then a bit of orange juice."
"I'll take the special," Ginny said before turning to the intruder. "Where is Serena?"
"I'll have the special as well," Pansy said.
"Firewhisky," Blaise ordered.
"Make that two," said Ron.
"Three," said the blond haired addition to the table.
"I'll have a fruit punch with blended ice and an umbrella," Luna added.
"I've never had a girl's night out," Ginny said, "But I'm sure boys aren't allowed."
"We should make an amendment to the name." Pansy looked thoughtful for a moment before her eyes brightened. "I know, a fun night out. We can make it a weekly ritual."
"We'll see." Ginny's eyes widened as a very large fruity smelling drink was placed in front of her. "This ought to hold me for the rest of the night."
"Draco, what brings you out tonight?" Pansy ate a slice of pineapple that came with the drink. "You don't usually come out. Is Serena with your parents?"
"Serena wanted to spend the night with her grandparents. I only came for the alcohol." Draco threw back the glass of Firewhisky that the waitress had gotten him. "Oh, and Blaise was tired of being the only guy at girl's night out. Though, it seems he isn't."
"Ron, what are you doing here?" asked Luna with a wicked grin.
"Oh-uh." Ron's cheeks were red, even in the darkness of the club.
"Ron, dance with me." Pansy didn't give him a chance to say no as she pushed Draco, Ron, and Ginny out of the booth. "Oh, are you two coming as well."
"If I attempted to dance in this dress, I would be fined for indecent exposure." Ginny slid back into the booth. "I'll be right here."
"Suit yourself," Pansy said with a shrug. She held Ron's hand with an iron-like grip. "Ron, is your room soundproof? I wouldn't want to disturb Ginny." She leaned in to his ear. "I'm a screamer."
"Does she think she's whispering?" asked Ginny. "It sounds more like she's screaming?'
"She knows," Luna answered. "Ronald has no idea what he's in for."
"I think he does," Ginny said, wrinkling her nose with distaste at the way Pansy and Ron were dancing. "That is the scariest part. And this is the worst idea. I mean, honestly, I could go a lifetime without seeing my brother imitate sex on the dance floor."
"You're not alone," Draco drawled.
"Ginny, how goes the bakery business?" Luna sighed as the question left her mouth. "I swear, Blaise, your child already has a broom, flying around in my bloody stomach?"
A look of concern crossed over Blaise's features, worry shown by the way his forehead wrinkled. Ginny began to wonder what it would have been like to have someone worry like that over her while she was pregnant. All she had was her brothers, who drove her insane with their questions, and her parents, who tried to avoid the subject of her pregnancy until it was unavoidable.
"Do you need a massage?" Blaise ran a hand across Luna's abdomen, gently. "If you'd like to go home, that is."
Luna gave Ginny an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. I promise next time we'll do something you like. I remember you loved muggle romance movies. We should go see one."
"Go on." Ginny waved her off. "I was pregnant at one time, remember?"
"Thanks, Ginny." Luna did her best to give Ginny a kiss on the cheek across the table, doing the same to Draco. "I'll see you at the ball tomorrow, Draco." She paused, looking at Ginny. "Did you get an invite to the Greengrass' Ball? It's the season opener."
"I did," Ginny responded. "I don't think I'll be attending, though."
"It'll be loads more fun with you there," Luna exclaimed. "Please, come."
"I'll let you know tomorrow morning," Ginny said. "If you don't stop by the bakery, I'll send Dixie with my answer."
"Well, goodnight." Luna waved, waiting for Blaise to say his goodbyes. "I'm sorry for bailing. Tell Pansy I had to go because of the baby."
"Will do," Ginny said.
Ginny watched as the couple walked away, Blaise parting the way so as not to make anyone bump into Luna. It was these small acts of caring that Ginny had missed out during her pregnancy. She sighed wistfully. Suddenly, she no longer felt like being in a club with couples on the dance floor and strong alcoholic beverages within her reach. It didn't sound like a good idea.
Ginny took a healthy sip of her drink, staring at the couples on the dance floor. A slow song was playing, the couples melding together as one. It was strange for Ginny to think that she had never, in her life, had a romance. There had been Harry for a while. But that never went farther than an awkward kiss and a grope or two. There hadn't been anything truly romantic between the two.
She downed the rest of her drink, gazing at her brother and Pansy. "I think I'll be leaving now. This isn't exactly my scene. And I would like to fall asleep before those two come home." Ginny slid out of the booth, stumbling as she stood on her feet. "That is a potent drink."
Draco dropped a few galleons on the table. "I'll escort you home."
"No, stay," Ginny commanded. "You look like you need a drink."
"I would be ignoring my upbringing if I didn't take you home," Draco replied smoothly. "I must insist that you come with me willingly. I would rather not get charged for kidnapping. It wouldn't be good for my team."
"Fine," Ginny conceded. "I won't be happy about it, though."
Draco shrugged. "I don't really care about your happiness at the moment."
"Thanks," Ginny said wryly.
Ginny and Draco made their way through the packed crowd, identical looks of relief on their face as they exited the club. Without a word shared between the two, Ginny wrapped her arms around him, the familiar feeling of Apparition overcoming her. She almost lost her footing when they landed. In fact, she would have probably fallen to the floor. But she held on to Draco tight, his body steadying her.
As if realizing their closeness for the first time, she jumped away. "Uhm-thank you."
Draco smirked. "It wasn't an issue."
"Regardless, I feel terrible that you had to leave early," Ginny apologized. She bit her lip, shifting on her feet. "You can come up and have a drink, if you'd like."
"Are you sure?" Draco raised an eyebrow.
Feeling a bit more confident, Ginny said, "Yes. Ron has a whole stash of alcohol. I'm sure you can find something to your liking."
Ginny didn't wait for an answer. Instead, she made her way up the stairs, expecting him to follow, which he did. He wasn't one to pass up Ron Weasley's alcohol collection, especially after he had tasted the aged Firewhisky the last time. It had been good enough for him to want to steal the bottle. And after he had left their home, he had quickly placed an order for an entire case.
Ginny unlocked the door, groaning in disgust. "How did they get here before I did?"
"Ron!" shrieked Pansy.
"Oh Merlin," Ginny muttered as she slammed the door. She took a seat on the stairs, the cold breeze causing goose bumps to form on her skin. "Sorry. I owe you a drink some other time."
"Are you planning on sitting out here all night?"
"No," Ginny said defensively. "I'll go inside in an hour. Hopefully, they'll be done by then."
"Knowing Pansy, they won't be," Draco drawled, a smirk on his face. "This is why Pansy should not consume alcohol."
"Something tells me she would have done this without the alcohol," Ginny mumbled. She wrapped her arms around herself, fighting off the chill. "I would have been better off staying at home, drinking a glass of red wine, and working on new recipes."
"It's not too late for that," Draco said.
"It blood well is too late," Ginny replied. "Ron and Pansy are in there shagging loudly. There is no way I plan on going in there to have a glass of wine."
"Hold on," Draco said, offering her his hand. "I never suggested you go in there."
"Are you going to take me somewhere and kill me?" Ginny hesitantly placed her hand in his. "Eventually, someone will notice that I'm gone."
"If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it seven years ago." Draco pulled her onto her feet, holding her around the waist. "It would have been easier then."
Ginny resisted the urge to slap him for his last comment as they landed in a living room. Besides, she was too wrapped up in her surroundings to even bother concerning herself with Draco Malfoy at the moment. From what she could tell, this was his house. If the way he immediately went over to the bar didn't tell her, then the pictures of him and various people, including Serena, did.
Ginny observed the pictures with him and Serena. There were so many of them. She picked up a picture of Draco holding Serena in his arms. She couldn't have been much older than two months. She was so tiny, a smile on her face, her hand grasping onto one of Draco's fingers as he smiled down at her, the kind of smile that Ginny had yet to see on him. Sure, she had seen him smile before but not in that way. In the picture, he looked like he had discovered true bliss.
"How ol-"
"Two and a half months, around the time she started making noises other from crying," Draco said before she could finish her sentence. He handed her a glass of red wine. "It was the first time she ever smiled. Mother had been running around with a camera every day since she discovered Serena. As soon as she snapped the picture, Serena began to cry."
Ginny ran a hand over the picture, almost hearing the cooing baby. "She was beautiful."
"She gets that from me," he said.
"Yes, your alabaster beauty," Ginny joked. She sipped her wine, picking up the next picture. There were a group of men, tossing Serena in the air. "Is this the team?"
"Yes," Draco answered, looking over her shoulder. "We had just won a game against Puddlemere. Serena was three at the time. She had been so excited. I think that was the day she fell in love with Quidditch."
Ginny set the picture down, a sad smile on her face. "I missed a lot, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did," Draco agreed.
"Don't hold back your true feelings, Draco." Ginny shook her head as she picked up a picture of Draco leading a horse with Luna and Serena on it. She turned to Draco, her eyes glistening. "I know I say this many times, but you really did a fantastic job with Serena."
"What did you expect?"
Ginny shrugged. "I don't know. I never had any expectations. I thought she was dead."
There was silence after that comment. Ginny continued to look around at the various pictures of Serena. There was one with Draco and Serena in a pool, her first time in water, other from bathwater. Another picture had Draco and Serena flying on a broom, a snitch clasped in Serena's hand. But perhaps the saddest one, the one that brought a tear, was the picture, hand drawn by Serena, of her family, labels with their names above them. She had drawn Draco, Luna, Blaise, Pansy, Lucius, Narcissa, and a grey blob for the Falcons team.
Ginny did her best to wipe away the tear, hoping Draco had not seen her. "Can I use your bathroom?"
"Down the hall, on the left" Draco directed. Though he had seen her, he wasn't about to point it out. "It's the second door."
Ginny moved to the bathroom, suddenly realizing the pain in her chest wasn't the only pain. Her feet were throbbing. She hadn't been on them much all night. Regardless, the pain was still present. She entered the bathroom, half expecting to see gold accents to marble. Instead, she found a regular gorgeous bathroom with no marble. It had beautiful beige tiling, nonetheless, a neutral colour.
She slipped out of her shoes before moving to wash her face. The makeup slowly came off her face as she continued to scrub her face. She hadn't really worn that much makeup in a long time and it felt good to wash it off. She dried her face, happy to see that there were no red splotches from her rigorous scrub. Once she pulled her hair out of its tight chignon, she left the bathroom, heels in hand.
Ginny found Draco sitting on his couch, his glass in hand. "Would you like to see her baby album?"
"Yes," Ginny said joyously. Though she could guarantee she would cry at some point, she couldn't resist seeing Serena as a baby. "Where can I leave my shoes?"
"Leave them here," Draco said, standing. "You can follow me."
Ginny followed Draco, up the stairs, with her wine glass, surprised to find their destination to be his bedroom. It was exactly like his room at Hogwarts, except there were no satin sheets, which Ginny remembered were quite uncomfortable when one was sweaty. That and the bed was humongous and looked very comfortable, especially with all the pillows on it. Green and black dominated the room, a fireplace casting a dim glow around the room.
Draco flicked his wand, causing the candles on the wall to light and the fire in the fireplace to rise. "This is my private album of Serena. I'm selfish. I keep the best pictures for myself."
"Sounds like something you would do," Ginny murmured, not being able to resist sitting on his bed. He didn't seem to mind as he opened his side table drawer, pulling out a medium-sized album. "You have a very nice bed."
Draco didn't speak the retort on the tip of his tongue. "Here," he said, sitting next to her.
"Thank you," Ginny replied, careful to not spill her wine. She rested it on his side table as she opened the album, shock crossing her features as she saw a picture of herself. "Is that me?"
"No, it's your twin," Draco said wryly. "I was planning on showing it to Serena when she got older."
"Oh," Ginny said. She didn't know why that response made her heart sink a little. If she had been honest with herself, she would have known that it was because she had been expecting him to have held onto it for other reasons. "That's nice of you."
The two continued to flip through the album, stopping every once in a while to refill their glasses. By the time they had finished their fifth glass, they were laughing over stories of Serena's mischievous behavior. And by the time four in the morning rolled around, Ginny was asleep in Draco's bed, Draco in one of his guest rooms.
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