At the Leaky Cauldron

"Draco," said Lucius Malfoy. "I have an errand for you to run."

"Yes father?" said nineteen year old Draco Malfoy.

"First go to the Eyelope's Owl Emporium and pick up a snowy owl," said Lucius. "And it must be a snowy owl, no other. Then I want you to pick up a few, ah, items from Knockturn Alley."

"Okay," said Draco. "Not a problem."

"Here's the Gringotts key," said Lucius, producing a little silver key. "And you can buy yourself the new Silver Streak; I suppose you'll be needing it with your new Quidditch career."

"Thank you, father," said Draco.

"Now don't go crazy," said Lucius. "I don't want you buying any useless things."

"I won't father," said Draco. "You know I won't."

"Very well," said Lucius. "Now, from Knockturn Alley, I need a new Auror detector."

"Yes, father," said Draco.

"Do you know where to get an Auror detector?" Lucius asked.

"Flynn and Harold's," Draco replied.

"Precisely," said Lucius. "And I also need some medicine for the dragon."

"Oh, is Machiavelli ill?" Draco asked, with a hint of disappointment.

"Nothing to worry about," said Lucius. "Now hurry along, and don't act too suspicious. In fact, go to the Leaky Cauldron first. I'll expect you back in no more than three hours."

"Until then, father," said Draco.

Lucius nodded goodbye and watched his son throw a pinch of Floo Powder into the fire and say, "the Leaky Cauldron."

Draco felt that familiar whirring about in space the instant he stepped into the fireplace. He didn't particularly like traveling by Floo, but he had not yet received his Apparating license, so this was the only way for him to get around, other than walking and trains. But who takes a train to the Leaky Cauldron?Â

Finally, the whirring stopped, and Draco was met by a line of grate. He stepped out of the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron and dusted off his dust-free robes. He surveyed the pub before him. There were very few people present, as it was still two in the afternoon. There were the usual three witches sitting around the fire, and Draco stepped passed them to see Dorris Crockford and Nicholas Hinderman seated at the bar.

But there was someone else. And Draco thought he recognised her for a second, but then was not so sure. Â

He had thought he'd seen Ginny Weasley, but when he saw she was dressed in expensive looking robes, changed his mind, because if a Weasley looked good, something was not right.

Draco walked over to her and sat down.

She turned her head slightly, and Draco knew for certain it was Ginny Weasley.

"Well, fancy seeing you here," he said.

Ginny looked at him. "Oh, hi Malfoy," she said.

"You seem to be in a good mood," said Draco. "But I know for a fact it's got nothing to do with Potter."

Ginny scowled.

"Did I flatten your happy mood? I'm sorry," said Draco, but he didn't sound sorry in the slightest.

"No," said Ginny. "I'm sorry to tell you this, Malfoy, but nothing can ruin my mood today. Not even you."

"Well aren't you the lucky one," said Draco, sarcastically.

"So what are you up to these days, Malfoy?" said Ginny.

"Well, I've been made back-up Seeker for Wembley," Draco replied. "I would have been first in line, but some stupid pillock came along and stole my spot."

"Sorry to hear," said Ginny.

"What about you?" said Draco. "What have you gotten up to?"

"Well, I finished my last year at Hogwarts with three NEWT's," said Ginny. "And I'm looking to work for the ministry."

"Isn't your father head of the Muggle department?" said Draco. "I'm sure they have a position for everyone in your family."

Ginny scowled.

"Oh, I think I just ruined your mood," said Draco.

"No, Malfoy," said Ginny. "Like I said, nothing, not even you, can ruin my mood today."

"So what kind of work are you looking for with the ministry?" said Draco.

"Well, I want something to do with education," said Ginny. "I might even apply to Hogwarts in a few years."

"They're always needing new Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers," said Draco. "Mind you, Snape would hate you even more."

"Well that doesn't have to be a problem," said Ginny.

"How's your brother?" said Draco. "I bet he'd be jealous of me now."

"He's a Chaser for the Canons," said Ginny. "It's been a dream of his for years."

Draco scowled.

"Did I ruin your day?" Ginny asked.

"No," said Draco. "Not at all."

"Yeah, lucky for you, Harry's an Auror," said Ginny. "So you don't have to be jealous of him."

"You talk an awful lot about Potter," said Draco. "I'll bet you he can't even remember your first name."

"We live in the same house," Ginny replied bluntly.

"How come?" said Draco.

"We just both happened to be looking for a new place at the same time," said Ginny. "And for the time being, we're living under the same roof."

"Who else lives there?" said Draco.

"My brother and Hermione," Ginny replied.

"How's Mudblood doing?" Draco asked.

"Oh, she's doing just fine," said Ginny. "She's qualified for just about anything, so she's juggling about three careers until she decides on one."

"Are her and your brother still together?" said Draco.

"They're planning to be married not long from now," said Ginny.

"So you're happy these days?" said Draco.

"Yes," Ginny replied. "And I've just met someone, and I'm actually waiting for him here."

"I bet I could ruin your good mood," said Draco.

"I doubt it, Malfoy."

"I could," said Draco. "Do you remember two years ago in the Forbidden Forest?"

"I thought we'd agreed to never speak of the incident again," said Ginny.

"The incident?" said Draco. "You gave it a title?"

"Well what else am I supposed to call it?" Ginny snapped.

"It was a behavourial glitch," said Draco. "Or something like that."

"I thought we'd agreed to never speak of it again," Ginny repeated.

"No, no, I said we'd never speak of it, and you said you didn't agree," said Draco. "And then we finally decided we wouldn't talk about it with other people."

"Well I don't want to talk about it," said Ginny.

"I do," said Draco. "I still want to know what it was all about."

"Oh, I don't know," said Ginny. "Can we talk about something else?"

"No," said Draco.

"Then don't talk to me at all," said Ginny.

"So Finch-Fletchly broke it off right away," said Draco. "Wonder how he found out..."

"You told him, of course," said Ginny.

"I didn't tell anyone," said Draco. "I told you that already."

"I don't believe you," said Ginny. "Someone told them, and it wasn't me."

"We've been through this," said Draco. "How can I be sure it wasn't you? I know for a fact it wasn't me. I can keep a secret."

"So can I," said Ginny.

"But you talk so much, how is that possible?" said Draco. "I still think you told everyone, but why?"

"I didn't tell anyone," said Ginny. "It came as a shock to me the next day when everyone knew."

"And me," said Draco. "I got all these dirty sneers from the Hufflepuffs. That was the biggest shock of all, when they weren't happy. When the Hufflepuffs are mad, you know there's something very wrong."

"Well if you hadn't told them-"

"I didn't, how many times do I need to explain?"

"I still think it was you, Malfoy," said Ginny.

"I see we'll never get passed this," said Draco. "It's quite a mystery."

"We both know very well it was you who told," said Ginny.

"It was not," said Draco. "I think there was someone else there."

"Who would be there?" asked Ginny. "We were so far in the forest, no one would have gone in there."

"We did," said Draco. "Maybe someone else was looking for a bit of forbidden fun."

"Well, I still think it was you," said Ginny.

"Whatever," said Draco. "Can I buy you a drink?"

"I told you, I'm meeting someone here," said Ginny.

"I didn't mean it like that," said Draco. "I just thought you might need a little charity."

"Oh, sod off," Ginny snapped.

"But it's just as well you don't want a drink because I really should go," said Draco, standing up. "I have things to do."

"Like what?"

"Nothing for you to worry about," said Draco. "I'll see you around."

"Yeah," said Ginny. "Bye."

"Have a nice time with this... whoever it is you're meeting," said Draco. "So long."

He strolled out of the Leaky Cauldron, leaving Ginny sitting alone at the bar.

Outside the Leaky Cauldron, Draco took out his wand, and pointed it at the wall, tapping the magical bricks to move the wall aside. Shortly, the wall moved aside, allowing a space for Draco to step through. He stepped out into Diagon Alley, and immediately headed toward Gringotts Wizard Bank.

Standing just outside Gringotts was one of Draco's least favourite people: Benji Hodge. Benji was the American wizard who had stole Draco's spot on the Wembley Willows Quidditch team, leaving Draco to be a mere back up.

Draco glared at him as he passed, and muttered, "pillock," under his breath.

Benji glared back at him, but didn't say a word.

Inside Gringotts, Draco was unfortunately run into by Colin Creevey, the annoying Daily Prophet photographer.

"Watch it, Creevey," Draco snapped.

"Sorry, Malfoy," said Colin. "And by the way, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

"And what's that?" said Draco.

"Well, I don't want you to ruin Ginny's happiness again like you did in sixth year," said Colin. "You ruined everything for her with what you did in the Forbidden Forest, and I just wanted to let you know-"

"Were you in the forest that night, Creevey?" said Draco. "Because you know, nothing actually happened. It was just a bunch of mad rumors you know nothing about."

"Well actually, I know for a fact it wasn't just talk," said Colin. "I saw what happened."

"And you went and told the whole school?" said Draco.

"I had to tell Justin," said Colin. "But I just want to let you know that Ginny's in the Leaky Cauldron, and you won't go near her if you know what's good for you."

"And a little mouse like you's going to stop me?" said Draco. "Is it you she's waiting for?"

"No, not me," said Colin. "A friend of mine. And believe me, Malfoy, he's much bigger than you are, he could flatten you in a second. So don't you dare lay one finger on Ginny."

"Wouldn't dream of it," said Draco. "I don't know why the Hell you're telling me any of this. I don't think I care, at all."

"Well, I haven't seen you since Hogwarts, and you've a bit of a reputation," said Colin. "You're with a new girl every week."

"And what does this have to do with Ginny Weasley?" said Draco. "Honestly Creevey, you could've found a better excuse to talk to me."

"What?"

"It's only too obvious you want so much just to carry on a conversation with me. I always knew you were sort of... the other way." Draco stepped around Colin and headed to one of the goblins, carrying on with his business.

Colin left Gringotts through the front doors, greeted by Benji Hodge on the front steps.

"Creevey," said Benji. "Did you let Malfoy know not to go anywhere near Virginia?"

"Yes, but how did you know he'd be coming?" said Colin.

"Never you mind."

"I don't see why you didn't just tell him yourself," said Colin. "And why are you so paranoid anyway?"

"Never you mind." Benji walked down the steps of Gringotts and down into Diagon Alley. From Diagon Alley he went to the Leaky Cauldron, where Ginny was awaiting his arrival.

"Hello," she said. "What took you?"

"Nothing," said Benji. "But until now, I was having a terrible day. Just seeing you has brightened everything."

Ginny blushed.

"You're so beautiful, Virginia, I'd be lost without you," said Benji. "Your fiery hair is like the flames that burst in my heart every time I see you."

Ginny smiled, rather embarrassedly.

"How would you like to go away on holiday with me?" Benji asked. "A visit back to my hometown."

"Er, just the two of us?" Ginny asked. "I've never been anywhere without my family..."

"Yeah, just the two of us," said Benji. "It'll be fun."

"Oh, I don't know," said Ginny. "I don't know whether my mum would like the idea."

"Nonsense," said Benji. "And we need some time alone. You're always spending too much time with your brother and his girlfriend. Don't you ever feel like a third wheel?"

"Well, there's Harry as well," said Ginny. "The three of us are all friends."

"Come on, Virginia, just a week's getaway," said Benji. "We both deserve it."

"Oh, all right," said Ginny. "But I'd have to clear it with my mum first."

"Oh, she won't mind, trust me."