Stripped

To say that today was the day from hell would be an understatement.

Ginny scowled as she stirred her tea. First thing in the morning, she woke up to see the Daily Prophet headline about her and Draco, and then she had to see Harry in his underwear. Of course, she Flooed Malfoy right away about it all after getting fifteen Howlers and thirty owls from people who wanted to kill her. And then she got ready for work; still receiving Howlers and a couple curses that she didn't handle, thank Merlin.

She Apparated to work and the first thing on her desk was a note from the twins telling her to stop by ASAP. Luckily, she had desk duty for the day so she didn't have to go out and interact with anyone. The older Aurors were sympathetic while the younger ones treated her like a pariah. It didn't bother Ginny that much because it allowed her to get through her backlog easily.

Lunch was with the twins at their shop. George and Fred had been members of the Order so they weren't going crazy like most of the wizardry was. They questioned Ginny's judgment in meeting with Malfoy in a public place, but they pledged their support despite what may happen. She spent the rest of the workday with Tonks who tried to cheer up with very little results before Bill claimed her for an early supper--she was having supper with her parents after their Howler demanded that she come home for supper.

Now, she was sitting at the table with both her parents and with Percy who decided to stop in that night. Ginny didn't know why Percy was there but it was fine with her because Mum hadn't started her lecture yet. Dinner had been painstakingly polite and even though she was twenty-seven years old, anytime her Mum was angry scared Ginny.

Arthur sighed and exchanged a look with Molly. "Percy, you don't have to be here for this," Molly said gently. "It was nice having you for dinner but you can go now."

Percy sat there, his face grim. "I don't plan to go anywhere," he stated, exchanging a look with Ginny. "I probably know more about the situation than you two."

Molly exploded. "You, know more than this than us? You were--"

"Sorry, Mum, but I am the secretary to the Minister of Magic," Percy interrupted. "I've seen the file on Draco Malfoy. It's not that big of a deal people are making it out to be."

Ginny looked to her brother, understanding in her eyes. Molly turned around and snapped, "That doesn't excuse anything, Miss! He was a Death Eater! They killed Charlie! And the Malfoys... they've treated our family like dung for years! How could you even talk to him!"

Ginny gulped, hating the spotlight she was now under. "Because time has moved on and he was cleared by the Ministry."

Molly opened her mouth to say something else but Arthur held up a hand. He surveyed his daughter as he spoke. "We're forgetting one other person; Professor Snape. He knew according to the article. I'd like to hear what he has to say before we," he looked pointedly at Molly, "make snap judgments."

******

He leaned back in the chair, his blond hair falling into his eyes. Draco sighed, his body aching from the hard day he had. After breakfast and Ginny's Floo call where he got to see her half-naked in her dressing gown, he did some flying practice to calm his temper and his newfound lust for the Weasley daughter. Afterwards he went in to answer his owls only to find that most of them were full of curses. After casually igniting each one of them with his wand, Draco had a Floo meeting with Pansy.

He tried to get some work done but it became impossible as the day went on. He had Floo calls from people from the Ministry, Blaise, Snape, even Ronald Weasley. The strangest one was a meeting from his aunt, Andromeda Tonks. She Apparated into his office and made herself at home.

Draco didn't underestimate Andromeda Tonks. He didn't know that she was his aunt until he was eighteen years old, Voldemort was dead, his father was dead and he was looking at either years in Azkaban or the Dementor's Kiss. Amelia Bones and Dumbledore had been discussing possible outcomes until Andromeda Tonks came into the office.

Andromeda Tonks was the wife of Ted Tonks, the WWN news anchor and a background member of the Order of the Phoenix. Unlike her daughter, she didn't carry out missions; she did more PR type of work. Most importantly, Andromeda was a Slytherin and she saw the perfect opportunity to get something she wanted. Draco was the Malfoy heir, but he had a very easy claim to the entailed Black estate. Nymphadora Tonks and Harry Potter had both inherited half of Sirius Black's unentailed estate, but Draco could easily claim the entailed estate. For exchange for his freedom, Andromeda Tonks suggested that he give up his claims and any of his heirs' claims to the Black estate.

Even though his mother was against it, Draco chose life over the Black estate. Andromeda didn't disappoint and within a week, Draco was clear of all charges and a free man.

Now, Andromeda had another bargain.

She had proposed something rather simple; she would have her husband run favorable stories about Draco on the WWN if Draco would let out Rita Skeeter's status as an unregistered Animagus. Draco had laughed; he thought everyone had known already but he was wrong.

Draco scratched his head as he narrowed his eyes. He didn't trust Andromeda Tonks; he knew that Ted Tonks and Rita Skeeter had been rivals and Andromeda probably saw this as a good chance to deal Rita a blow while claiming that she was trying to protect her long-lost nephew. But, this wasn't a time to care about getting manipulated as long as he got what he wanted; Rita Skeeter taught a lesson.

His fireplace unexpectedly flared up again and Harry Potter's head popped out. "Two Floo calls from Potter in one day. Hell is freezing over," Draco dryly remarked.

Potter scowled. "I don't give a damn about you; this is about Ginny!" he retorted sharply. "I just heard that Ginny may lose her job over this."

Draco started, exclaiming, "Is it that serious?"

Harry nodded. "To most wizards, the Death Eaters were and still are to some, a very real fear. She's an Auror, an Obliviator. She can't afford a lack of belief in her and neither can Mistress Bones."

Draco swore to Harry's surprise. He thought that it had just been a business meeting for the both of them, but now, he wasn't that sure. He talked with Pansy earlier and she had remarked that it seemed that the ice king was thawing but Harry didn't believe her till now.

"So, why exactly are you Flooing me? It's not like I can snap my fingers and give Gin--Weasley her reputation back."

Harry arched an eyebrow and Draco glared at him. Harry suppressed a chuckle. "You're the Malfoy. You do wield considerable power."

"And you're Harry Potter, saviour of the Wizarding world. I would believe, and it pains me to admit this, you would be more powerful than me," Draco countered.

"Use that Slytherin brain of yours, would you," Harry commanded, rolling his eyes. "Helping Ginny helps you in the end. Unless, you'd prefer people to constantly fear you."

Draco stroked his chin. "Fear isn't a bad thing."

Harry closed his eyes and counted to ten. "Influence!" he exclaimed abruptly. "Helping Ginny helps you gain influence with most of wizardry when they realize that you aren't going to morph into Voldemort and kill them all. I'm not a Slytherin, but I realized that!"

Draco mentally kicked himself; he should have realized that but he wasn't going to admit to Potter that he was right. "I'll think about it," was his terse reply.

Satisfied, Potter ended the Floo call.

Draco sat back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. He now had an excuse to be near Ginny.

*****

Ginny woke up the next morning, facedown in her bed. She shook her head groggily; she never liked mornings and probably never will. She sighed and pulled on some sweatpants as she walked out to the kitchen. Harry, Hermione, and Luna were there, sitting at the table.

"Luna! Why are you here?" she squealed, as she ran to hug the blonde.

Luna smiled, got out of her seat and hugged back. "I wanted to see you since I figured our lunch date today would be cancelled."

Ginny sighed as Luna continued, "I don't like Ms. Skeeter. I wish that I never had father run that article during our fourth year about you, Harry. I wish she was run under by a herd of threstrals."

Everyone in the room blinked. Luna was one of the sweetest people and she very rarely, if ever, advocated violence against anyone. They sat there in stunned silence until Harry said, "Er, yeah, anyway, Ginny, don't you have work?"

Ginny scowled. "Madam Bones suggested that I take the day off. I think I may be released from work if this gets worse."

"Don't worry, Ginny; it's not that bad, I don't think you'll be fired for this," Hermione assured. "Scandals like this have happened plenty of times since the end of the war. You'll get through it fine."

"But, Ginny and Draco Malfoy? As the editor of The Quibbler, it's the best thing ever," Luna said.

"This is why we should give all interviews to The Quibbler."

Pansy walked into the room, lowering the hood on her outer robes. Harry arched an eyebrow as Hermione crossed her arms. "What?" Ginny asked, frowning.

Rolling her eyes, Pansy explained, "I didn't expect any of you to think of this since none of you are Slytherins, but the best defense is an offense. And what better to restrict access to one paper and make everyone play according to your rules. Don't play to the rules that the Daily Prophet wants to set, play by yours. Make it that all new information that comes from you and Draco."

Hermione started to tap her quill on the table as Harry sat there in thought. "That is a good idea," Ginny hesitantly murmured.

"And it takes Rita Skeeter out of the picture," Harry commented.

At that moment Ron Apparated into the kitchen, his face red with anger. Draco casually walked in after him, a smirk on his. Pansy raised an eyebrow. "Taunting my husband again?" she said.

"He falls for the bait every time," Draco replied.

Ron began to sputter. "I don't know why I have to be pleasant to this git, he's not worth it."

Draco conjured a chair and sat down. "I think the Weasel is just mad that his picture was snapped with me. It was Creevey; of course, he was apologizing while he took it. So I expect to see my face in the Daily Prophet tomorrow."

Pansy narrowed her eyes. "You probably said something anyway, Draco. I know you. I'll find out later, it's not that important," she said, as she went over to Ron and began to rub his shoulders.

"Moments like that remind me why I love you," Ron whispered.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Hi everyone. Let's remember what's going on. Everyone thinks I'm connected to Malfoy."

"This is why I'm here. Don't think I would step in this--" Draco looked around and sniffed "--flat any other time."

Ginny crossed her arms and glared at him. "Explain."

Draco crossed his legs and genuinely smiled, causing Ginny to blink. That's when he said, "And that is why I have a proposal for you, Ginny Weasley."

Ginny instantly bristled; most proposals and bargains with Slytherins tended to be unpleasant at the most, manipulative at the least. "What is it?" she cautiously asked.

Draco smirked and she felt like a deer caught in a pair of headlights. "Until this blows over," he drawled, "it would be good if you actually pretended that we were somewhat ... friendly."

Ron scowled; old hatreds and wounds were rising at the thought of his sister and Malfoy spending time together but a hand on his arm from Pansy stopped him.

Ginny mulled it over; she was already disliked by many now, could possibly even lose her job all over a simple meeting. But then, even though Malfoy was probably using this to try and get in the good graces of Wizarding society again, he may have its merits. She just had to figure them out soon.

Draco arched an eyebrow, waiting for an answer. Ginny sighed. "Bloody hell, considering how my life has been today, it can't hurt."

He smiled inwardly at her answer. Malfoys used every situation to their advantage whenever possible and he found a way to get something that he now wanted.