11a note from me: I was stuck with so many work it was impossible for me to take a few minutes and post Chapter 7 last week. It's a Sunday and I am forcing myself to push work aside for 15 minutes and post this chapter.
So anyway, this chapter brings us a year later from Chapter 6. Draco and Ginny's relationship remained strong however they will face new challenges because no relationship has an immunity from challenges. Challenges are what makes a relationship more interesting.
So please read on and leave me a review on how bad or good it is. This story is absent from lots of reviews...why oh why?
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
One year later
Ginny waited. He was 30 minutes late and as she checked her watch again she sighed exasperatedly. Then she looked up and saw him running quickly towards her. He smiled and she could not help but smiled back. She had not seen him for one week and was longing for his smile and his touch. He reached her and was panting slightly. He pulled her towards him and kissed her lips languidly.
"I'm sorry. So sorry." He said and kissed her cheek.
"It's ok. You're here now." She said feeling so glad that her boyfriend was back. "Let's hurry. The match is starting in 30 minutes."
Puddlemere United were in the finals of the British and Irish Quidditch League once more and what made it more exciting was that they would be competing against the Falmouth Falcons again for the League Cup. As Ginny had predicted, Harry invited Draco to the game and they were allocated VIP seats. When they both reached the VIP box, they were immediately served champagnes. Ron and Lila joined them several minutes later. Ginny loved the atmosphere of the League finals. Fans were dressed in the colours of their favourite team decked in jerseys, scarves and painted faces.
Ginny was wearing a navy blue sweater with Puddlemere's emblem knitted on the bottom left hand corner. She was excited and had eagerly waited for this day to come. Fifteen minutes later, Hermione joined them when Ron picked her up at the gate entrance. She came over and hugged Ginny and shook Draco's hand.
"How's the meeting in Hungary?" Hermione asked Draco.
"Good. Prolly needs a few more meetings and it will all be done." Draco replied. When Hermione turned her attention to Lila, Ginny looked at her boyfriend and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"When is this going to be over Draco? You've been in and out of England for months!"
"Gin, we're finalising some contracts. The academy is scheduled to open in three months. There are so many things to do before that."
"You're not going back there so soon aren't you? Why can't they come here to England for once and not you to Hungary?"
"Gin, I got to do what I got to do and this is the best way alright? So chill."
"Whatever."
"Gin I just got back and is this how you want to spend my first day back here? You want to argue?"
Ginny breathed deeply and realised that Draco was probably right. "It's been so hard Draco. Everytime you leave I don't know when you're coming back. Weekdays you'll be at Hogwarts and weekends you won't be here. Do you know how frustrating that is?"
"It's frustrating for me too when I have to be away from you. Every night when I'm away you're all I think about." He said. He pulled Ginny closer and kissed the top of her head and Ginny relaxed into his arms. He missed his scent and breathed in deeply and hugged him closer.
"I miss you." He said softly.
"I miss you too. Lots." Ginny said and she looked up at him reaching for his lips and kissed it lightly.
They focused back their attention towards the game that had begun with each of the teams flying out in formation. The navy-blue robes of Puddlemere United glittered against the bright lights. Harry was leading the team out. A huge roar of applauses and cheer erupted and Ginny and Draco clapped their hands to join in the merriment. The Falcons flew in next, their dark grey and white robes billowing in the wind. The Falcons, who were most recognized for their violent play made quite an impression when they won the cup the previous year.
The game started on a good note and the Falcons had not tried fouling anyone on the other team. Puddlemere scored three goals within the first seven minutes while the Falcons had not managed to score. Harry was circling the stadium, hunting for the Golden Snitch. Steve Wegner, the seeker for the Falcons were on the opposite end of the stadium, doing the same thing. Thirty minutes into the game it was 110 to Puddlemere and 80 to the Falcons.
"Nothing's happening yet. Don't you think it's about time? I'm here to see some action." Draco commented.
"It's so low key tonight." Ginny said. As soon as she said that, two Chasers from Falmouth Falcon fouled all the Puddlemere players that were in their way. The referee had to blow his whistle hard to stop the fight that had started in the middle of the pitch. Michael Lee, Ginny's favourite Puddlemere player looked hurt.
"Isn't that your favourite Ginny?" Hermione asked.
"That's right." Ginny said and she remembered the time when Harry had acted that he was hurt when Ginny mentioned the matter.
"Michael is your favourite player? You mean to say that I'm not?" Harry asked.
"Oh Harry, I can't play favourites. If I tell everyone that you're my favourite Puddlemere player then they will think that it's because I know you personally…even if I tell them I admire you for your exceptional Seeking skills."
"Ginny I'm personally hurt that you chose Michael over me." Harry said and pretended to clutch his heart in pain.
"Oh sod off Harry." Ginny said and they both laughed.
"You think he's ok?" Hermione asked.
"He will be." Ginny said.
"What's going to happen now?" Hermione asked.
"Harry must have called for the time-out. They can't switch players unless they have reserves and I think Puddlemere has none. They will probably get Lee checked. See if he had any broken bones. He had to keep on playing. No other choice." Ron explained.
Ten minutes later, the match resumed and Lee's right arm was in a sling. It does not seem to bother him because he was zooming in and out of the Falcon's way passing the Quaffle to his team mates. Five minutes into the game, a big roar of cheers and chants were heard on the left hand side of the stadium. It looked like Harry had sighted the Snitch. When he saw what was happening, Wegner made a dive towards where Harry was going. They were on opposite directions. With a sudden surge, Harry made a quick lightning move and soared up high. He held one hand up and the crowd burst into cheers.
"He did it!" Ginny shouted.
"Woo hoo!" Draco countered. "Way to go. That was awesome skill I have ever seen!"
For what he said, Draco earned himself a kiss on his cheek. They stayed for the prize giving ceremony and the stadium was now decked with Puddlemere's colours of navy-blue. Streamers were falling endlessly from the sky.
"This is thrilling. I can't wait to see Harry and congratulate him." Ginny said excitedly.
"Well we're all invited to the after party. We'll see him there." Hermione said.
They made their way to The Hamilton's, one of London's luxurious hotels. The ballroom was decorated in rich red and gold and the chandelier that was hanging way up high was glittering brightly. They had rounds of champagne and Firewhiskey before the team finally made their way in. Ginny spotted Michael Lee straight away and he still had a sling around his arm.
Draco was not surprised with the loud cheers that the team received when they walked into the ballroom. Invited photographers and reporters made a beeline towards the team and especially towards Harry and the coach.
"You reckon I should go ask Michael Lee for his autograph?" Ginny asked suddenly and Draco looked at her in shock.
"I didn't know you like him." Draco said.
"I think I'll just ask Harry to do that for me. What if I start to get nervous and fumble over my words?" Ginny said and she looked quite nervous when she said that. Beside her, Hermione chuckled.
Draco had to admit that it worried him a little because Michael Lee was an international Quidditch star. He played for England, together with Harry. He had heard that Michael was popular among the ladies and the way that Ginny was eyeing Michael was making him quite pissed.
Draco saw Harry trying to make his way to the group, stopping along the way to accept handshakes from anyone and everyone and women were swarming up to him like a bees to a flower.
No wonder he's in the list again, Draco wondered.
Before he left for Hungary, Ginny and him had sat down and flipped though WITCH's and they were not surprised that Harry was number one in the annual Sexiest Man Alive list. He was in top form and had caught almost all the snitches in the year's League. The fact that he was single had made him so eligible. But Ginny told him that Harry would not be single for long. She had mentioned something about Harry having his eyes on someone but would not reveal who she was.
When he finally reached the group, Draco shook his hand and thanked him for inviting him to the game.
"I'm going to the gents." He casually said to Ginny who was talking to Hermione. He was suddenly remembered about how she was gawking at Michael Lee and immediately left not caring if she had heard him. On his way to the gents, he bumped into Ron.
"Sorry mate." Draco apologized.
"No problem." Ron said. Draco swore that if Ron could, he would probably shoved Draco aside. Draco knew that he still had problems accepting the fact that he was his little sister's boyfriend.
"I'll go find Draco." Ginny said. She turned around and saw that he was not there.
"He's in the gents. I saw him on my way out." Ron said and Ginny immediately made her way to where Ron was pointing. On her way she spotted Michael Lee talking to a few girls. He walked away from them and when he looked up he glanced her way and smiled at her. Her heart started to beat quickly. He was so good looking up close. His eyes were blue and his hair was darker than she had thought. When he smiled, it had somehow lifted her mood up.
"Hi." He said.
"Hi." She said back shyly.
"You're Harry's friend aren't you?" He asked. "I saw all of you together a few moments ago over there." He pointed to one of the corners of the room.
"Good observation." Ginny commented suddenly lost for other better words.
"You don't happen to be Ginny Weasley aren't you?"
"Well I'm not sure if it's your lucky day or not but I am Ginny Weasley."
"I say it's my lucky day. It's nice to finally meet you." Ginny took his hand and shook it. "Harry told me all about you."
Ginny was suddenly more nervous than before. "And what did Harry say?"
"He said that you chose me over him, that's gotta be the best day of my life." They both laughed. "I mean it is Harry we're talking about here. Surely no one will win if it's with him."
"You're too humble. You're a great Chaser!" Ginny said suddenly getting excited.
"Well I heard from Harry that you're not so bad yourself."
"He couldn't keep it to himself huh?" Ginny said and they both laughed again.
"I think the boyfriend is probably looking for you." Michael said and Ginny followed his gaze and saw that Draco was walking towards them.
"Right, the boyfriend." Ginny said and smiled at Michael.
"Well I'll see you around then." Michael said and then he leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Just for kicks." Michael winked at her and pecked her right cheek. "Saw someone flirting with him just now." He added and walked away quickly.
"And what was that all about?" Draco asked when he reached Ginny.
"Just a friendly gesture." Ginny said nonchalantly.
"He kissed you!" Draco hissed.
"He warned me about a certain woman who was flirting with you!" Ginny said and started to walk back to the group and Draco followed her.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come off it Draco!"
Draco took a deep breath and looked at his girlfriend. "I really don't know what you're talking about." Suddenly he remembered Allen Brandon. "Well maybe it was Allen."
"You mean Allen Brandon? The one that went gaga over you? The reporter from WITCH's?" Ginny was almost screaming.
"Hey look, it wasn't me ok? It was all her and it wasn't my hands roaming around her." Draco said and immediately realised that he had said the wrong thing.
"Oh great! So she was touching you?!"
Draco walked quickly behind her but stopped when she suddenly halted. She sighed and looked up at him. "I'm sorry. It's not your fault."
Draco sighed in relief and kissed her on her lips. He lingered there then whispered in her ear. "I'm sorry."
"Erm if you guys are ready we're moving now."
They both turned to the voice and saw Hermione. She smiled and walked away so they followed her.
"Where are we going?" Draco asked and put his arms around Ginny's shoulder.
"Harry's. We won't stay long." She said.
They stayed until 2AM and then spend the night cuddling in each other's arms and talked about everything that happened while the other was away. They only slept when the sun was about to rise. Draco woke up when he felt someone gently shaking him. He opened his eyes and saw Giny
"What time is it?" He groggily asked.
"One. I'm going over to the girls' ok? Susan and I have an assignment." Ginny said.
"It's a Sunday. Why did Mallory give you an assignment on a Sunday?"
"We're reporters Draco. We work seven days a week. I'll see you later." She gave him a light kiss on his lips and went out the door. Draco went back to sleep feeling that he could not have enough sleep. He was tired; exhausted from the extra work he needed to put in as the date of the opening draws nearer. Once this was all over, he had planned to surprise Ginny with a one week vacation. He felt like they both needed it.
"Terry's coming back next week." Susan said excitedly.
"Really? So soon?" Ginny asked.
"Yes! Can you believe it? I'm going for the convocation and we'll come back together. I miss him so much."
Terry did ask her out before he went back to Switzerland and from that day onwards, they had remained in contact through letters. When he came back to England during a term break, they had spent almost everyday together and by the end of the week Terry had asked for her to be his girlfriend. Ginny was so happy to see both of them together. It was clear that Susan was much happier. She had Terry to confide in whenever she was unhappy. She needed Terry more now than before now that Luna had also moved out to live with Dean.
"So when both of you are back, are you going to ask him to move in with you?" Ginny asked.
"Don't you think that's a very big step? I mean for the last eight or so months we have not seen each other and it's been kind of a long distance relationship. I don't want to give him a shock."
"Hmmm, you're prolly right."
"I want to take it slow…you know go with the flow."
Ginny and Susan made their way to the office slowly and discussed the Quidditch championship. Ginny told her that Puddlemere would be leaving for the Canary Islands tomorrow for a short and well deserved break.
"That's so nice of the Coach. I've always wanted to go there!" Susan exclaimed.
Two weeks passed casually and Ginny was so glad that Draco had no plans to leave for Hungary in the near future. She was much happier around Draco and she loved the nights that they spent together. As how they had spent their weekends for the past year, Saturdays was dinner at Malfoy Manor and Sundays filled with dinner at The Burrows. On Friday nights, Draco would make his way out of the castle to meet Ginny at Hogsmeade where they would start the busy weekend with dinner together and then sessions of hot and raw love making.
Ginny met up with Harry and Ron. Harry had just come back from his vacation with the team and he spotted a very light tan. They had breakfast at one of the cafes in Sachway Alley.
"Well the reason I wanted to meet the both of you…well just Ginny actually but then Ron had to walked in my apartment when I was about to come out and meet you." Harry said and that got him a punch on the arm from her brother. They laughed and Harry continued.
"Ginny I think it's about time."
"About time to what?" Ginny asked as she looked at Harry confused.
"I met up with Gwenog Jones and I've told her about how brilliant you are in Quidditch and how much you idolise her."
Gwenog Jones, the captain of the Holyhead Harpies had always been Ginny's favourite Quidditch player since she was a kid.
"Harry! That's embarrassing!" Ginny said and she started to blush. "What did she say?" She asked suddenly curious.
"She asked if you would like to come down for the try out. One of their Chasers would like to retire and the Harpies are looking for reserves for the Seeker and Chaser position."
"Merlin! No kidding?" When Harry shook his head Ginny laughed. "Really! Harry this is brilliant! When?"
"Try outs in two days." Harry replied.
"Gin this is great! If everything works out you can leave your reporter job and play for the Harpies. How cool is that?" Ron said excitedly.
"Very cool!" She said.
They went on to talk for another hour and left separately for their destination. Ginny went back to the office and she could hardly contain her excitement. She decided to give Hermione a visit at the hospital and see if she would be free for lunch. At exactly 12PM, she made her way to St Mungo's and when she reached Hermione's consultation room, she was greeted by Hermione's secretary, Michelle. She was told to wait as Hermione had a patient. When the door opened about 10 minutes later, a tall handsome man walked out. He had kind and sparkling blue eyes. He was built and stood confidently. He smiled at Ginny and walked towards the exit. She was let in by Hermione and she immediately gave her a hug.
"Who's that? Dashing." Ginny said.
"That's Kyle Risis." As soon as Ginny heard that name she squealed in delight.
"The Kyle Risis?" Ginny asked. Hermione had told her about a certain Auror that she had grown to fancy. However Ginny did not know that he could easily passed off as a celebrity.
Hermione was blushing and Ginny laughed. Oh boy, looks like Harry's got competition, she thought. Ginny had suspected that Harry might be into Hermione. After carefully watching at how he was around Hermione, it was obvious that Harry might have fallen in love with his bestfriend. But Ginny also thought that she might be wrong and it was just a silly intuition. But when you keep looking at someone and it seemed like Harry always looked for her first when they were in a gathering, it made Ginny conclude that he might have feelings for Hermione.
"Oh enough about that. What brings you here?" Hermione asked.
"Do you think we can talk over lunch? I have a few things to share with you."
"Of course."
They made their way to a deli and took their lunch to a park. Ginny shared with Hermione her good news and she was thrilled. She also told Hermione that she had another concern and that was Draco.
"Surely he would be happy for you. It's something that you want."
"I'm just worried that it might put a strain to our relationship. It's been so tensed lately especially with him not around for weeks at a time because of work."
"You'll both talk it out and will make it work." Hermione said. Ginny nodded and hoped that when she shares her good news with him it would be a happy affair.