August 23, 2011
Midday

Ginny stretched her arms over her head, a crack here and there being heard as she did. She had been working hard all morning to get a few deadlines out and she hated to admit it, but she was a bit tired. Between the three children, travelling for work, and her marriage that was slowly turning into..something, she was starting to feel like a little old lady. She ran her hand through her hair, sighing loudly. If anyone had been in her office with her, they would have surely asked what was wrong. What she needed was a good, old fashioned vacation. Some would say travelling around and talking to the best Quidditch players out there was a vacation, but it truly wasn't. Interviewing was fun, even thrilling, but hard work none the less. She had been thinking about even branching out in her reporting, but she hadn't spoken to anyone about that yet. That little idea was still being kept in her back pocket. No, she needed a real vacation. One where she could relax all day and shoot the breeze. She absolutely adored her children but even a few days vacation with just herself might be what she needed to rejuvenate.

Ginny stood up with a small groan, she stretching all her limbs. "Maybe I am getting old," she whispered to herself, shaking her head. She needed a break and possibly some lunch. She poked her head out of her office door, looking to see if any colleagues were around. She loved them all but didn't want to get caught up in office politics or have any questions directed at her. She needed a few precious minutes of uninterrupted peace.

Making her way out towards the main front of the building, she expected to make a quick beeline out but some force of invisible nature was laughing at her and saying, "no, not today!". She had to blink a few times to get him into view and her eyes practically bugged out of her head as she never in a million years thought he would be at her workplace....

He'd received the owl the day before.  Someone had questions about certain potions and he guessed it was an effort to lure him out of his home to get an interview or something.  He hadn't thought much about it though when he fell asleep that night, but of course, with the half-empty firewhiskey bottle beside him on the coffee table (he'd fallen asleep in the parlor, on the couch) he wasn't going to remember much.

Needless to say he woke up that morning with a splitting headache that wasn't helped out at all, by the super-awesome house elf that thought he'd aid his master's morning wake up with opening the curtains, which just so happened to be directly across the room from the couch.  So now he had a headache and it was made worse by the morning sunrise helpfully shining into his eyes. Groaning and rubbing said eyes, he slowly sat up and noticed that the oh-so-helpful house elf was standing by the table (Draco thought he might be smirking, but that could be the hangover) with a hangover potion in his hand.

Ignoring the elf's obvious enjoyment to his predicament, he grabbed the potion from him and downed it quickly, that stuff never tasted good.  Feeling marginally better he trudged upstairs to get ready for the day.

An hour later he emerged from his room looking like he hadn't drunk himself to sleep last night.  Fresh, clean clothes, and a hot shower would do wonders for you.  Of course, he looked at the grandfather clock in the hall on the way back down the stairs and cursed to himself, he wouldn't have time to grab something to eat before he was supposed to be at the Prophet for whatever he was going there for.  He still was sure they were not wanting info on potions, but wanted him to do an interview or something.

He made it out the front door, grabbing his leather coat from the still smirking house elf, 'Can house-elves smirk?' he asked himself as he apparated from his front lawn to Diagon Alley.  It was noon by the time he walked in the door and began to look around for where he was supposed to be when who should he spot but her... of course, fate had to be gasping for breath it was laughing so hard.  Potter. 

Ever since he'd done a random nice thing for her the other day in the Apothecary, he'd thought it would be fine, he never would see her again, so no one would know that he was actually capable of  being kind.  But of course, he never got what he wanted anymore.  At the moment he was debating between skipping the appointment he had with what's-his-name and going to get something to eat, or just going home.

Of course, he never did the smart thing.

"Hello Potter."

Realizing she probably looked like an idiot standing with her mouth partly open, she quickly snapped it shut, closing the gap between the two quite quickly. "Draco Malfoy, what are you doing here?" The slight tone of bossiness could be heard, though it was nothing like her sister-in-law, and she had to mentally take a step back. It wasn't as if she owned the Prophet and prohibited him from ever entering. She shouldn't feel so territorial about the place. But she was truly surprised to him.

"I mean, I've worked here for however many years and never once see you set foot inside the Prophet. What..What brings you?" her bossy tone changed to curiosity, though she tried to seem indifferent.

Groaning to himself, he couldn't believe he'd drawn attention to himself.  What was with him these days?  He was beginning to think someone somewhere had it out for him, he kept running in to her in the oddest places.  He couldn't even remember if he knew she worked at the Prophet.

He walked over to her, "Well, Weasley," he began, as he thought it might get a rise out of her, "I am a Potions Master, and someone owled me with a question about Potions, do you have an objection to me being here?"

He still thought it was just a ploy to get him here for an interview that he'd flat out refused to give every time they asked, and sure enough, he saw a reporter heading his way.

"Mr. Malfoy, a few questions if you have the time."

Draco rolled his eyes, " I knew it, " he whispered and turned towards her, "They've been trying to get me in here for an interview for ages, care to assist in my escape?"

"Possibly," Ginny replied, though she was joking. Mostly. She looked towards the other reporter and a smirk started to form, she crossing her arms and giving Draco a look. She had half a mind to leave him here and let the reporter swarm on him. She waited a few seconds, her coworker getting closer and closer, before she rolled her own eyes and sighed. "Alright, I'll save your arse Malfoy." She grabbed his arm and pulled him closer to her, leading him towards her office. "Oh, I'm so sorry, but Mr. Malfoy has a meeting to attend. I'll try to send him on after," she leaned her head to the side, giving the vulture a sweet smile. Some reporters... Granted she was one herself, but that did not mean she sided with every single one of them.

"Right this way Mr. Malfoy..." Her voice trailed off as she rounded the corner and pulled him into her office, shutting the door. She dropped his arm and turned on him. "I really do not know why I did that." Hands on hips, she shook her head once more before heading towards her desk. "Actually, I'm glad you are here. It saves me a trip," the last bit said in a softer tone.

She pulled out the money for the medicine he had bought, turning to hold it out to him. "Now you can never say I took advantage."

Needless to say, the surprise that showed up on his face when she agreed to help him was completely genuine. He had fully expected her to smirk in his direction and walk off, leaving him to the mercy of the rapidly advancing reporter.  So when she grabbed his arm and began leading him to her office, Draco had no choice but to let her.  His brain hadn't caught up with the fact that she was willingly helping him yet.

Once inside her office she dropped his arm.  He didn't say anything at first, his surprise and shock hadn't worn off yet.  His eyes followed her movements and he finally registered what she was doing.  She was back in front of him, holding out the money for the potion he'd paid for the other day.  Groaning to himself he realized that he just walked into this, he couldn't deny it.  Oh well, she wasn't going to like his response, but he would look on this moment later at still being in shock that she helped him and his brain had momentarily shut down.

Looking between her hand with the money in it and up at her face he began talking before he could actually form a coherent thought in his mind.  "First of all," he began as he stepped back a little, to put some more space between them, "Thank you for rescuing me back there.  They've been trying to get me in here for an interview forever and I keep refusing, but they never stop trying."  He took a deep breath and looked up at her face again, "As for taking advantage, I never said you did.  I took care of that because I wanted to."

He stopped, he was trying desperately to stop the train of thought that was racing through his mind, but something had broken the brakes on that train and for the life of him, he couldn't stop it.  "Keep the money Ginny, I don't need or want it."  And before he said anything else he was going to try and drown with liquor later, he turned and placed his hand on the door handle, hoping she wouldn't lock it magically to say something else to him.  He didn't think he could survive being alone with her for another minute.

Something was clearly fogging his brain and he didn't like the feeling that he wasn't in control of his thoughts or his brain right now.  'What the hell was I thinking asking for her help?' he asked himself as he looked back at her once more and before he could stop himself, "Are you hungry?" He mentally smacked himself for asking her that, but deep down he couldn't care that he did.

Ginny could see the surprise on Draco's face and there was a twinkle in her eye as she waited for him to take the money. Her own look of surprise flitted across her face, her Ginny's mouth opening partially as her words escaped her. He wanted to? Draco Malfoy, in their school days, had never once helped someone if it did not benefit him (or at least she never knew of it) and he certainly never helped a Weasley. She had certainly lost touch of the Slytherin Alumni but it seems there was more mystery about him than ever.

"I.. I know you don't need it, that's not why I was giving it back. But, thank you," she said softly, truly not know how to handle the situation. This just was not the Draco she knew. " But you're welcome. I know how annoying reporters can be, after all," she smiling at him. "They will get you one way or another, but consider yourself lucky today." She put the money away, her hand trembling slightly as she did, before she looked up in surprise again, her eyes wide.

"Actually, yes, I am. I needed a break from work and eating sounds like a novel idea actually," she paused, wondering if he was about to ask the same thing she was. "Would you like to go and get something?" She held her breath, almost unaware that she had actually asked him such a question.

And just like that, his train of thought de-railed at a frightening speed and he found himself flashing her a genuine smile, opening the door, and saying, "After you m'lady."  He would forever deny this moment, but something about being friendly with Potter's girl was exhilarating and all he had to do was keep telling himself that he was doing this to stick it in Potter's face that he was talking to his wife.  And that she had accepted his assistance and returned with her own assistance to him.

Shaking his head lightly, "Although, I'm not sure of any place that wouldn't have people just dying for gossip about how two people who hated each other in school would go out for a bite to eat together and there not be any bloodshed." he added, lamely.

Ginny almost gasped outloud at Draco's smile, one that was directed towards her for once, but she kept her mouth shut and her own lips upturned, giving him a nod. "Thank you kind sir," she played along back, looking through the halls at the wandering eyes that darted from the duo and quickly back to their assignments or their partners or even the wall.. They were confused it wasn't Harry that was walking out of her office and Ginny could not help but laugh on the inside.

She looked over at Draco when she heard what he truly said and her mouth parted slightly, wanting to be careful with her words. "You're right about the gossip, so anyplace you pick will be fine. Do you get out enough to know what's around?" She teased, though her face fell more serious and she looked ahead as they walked. "I didn't hate you. Well, not the way you may think," Ginny said softly.

"I hated how you treated my family and my friends, even me. But I didn't necessarily hate you. Or, atleast, I don't think I did.." She was stumbling over her words and more so her thoughts, realizing she was sounding insane. "Maybe I did hate you a little," she smiled over at him, nudging him lightly with her arm. "But not now." No, now she hated so many other things...

"I do apologize for all I ever did to you and your friends and family.  I was a rotten little twit who was just like his father..." he trailed off.  Truthfully he had been like his father for most of his childhood, but somewhere around sixth or seventh year at Hogwarts, he realized that he was on the wrong side and had been for so long.

"I was an idiot." he said softly, not wanting to dwell on it any longer than he had to.