A Business Affair

Chapter Twenty-five: Christmas: The Party

The first week of Harry's vacation time passed slowly. He tried to avoid Ginny as much as humanly possible. He got up earlier than her and left to go flying. He always went to the Quidditch pitch. It was the only place where he knew he would be safe from her coming to find him.

It had always been kind of an unspoken agreement that when Harry was at the pitch, no one was to come and find him. He spent most of the mornings of his vacation soaring over the snow covered fields below him.

It only served to remind him that he would probably never be able to live in a place like that, increasing his dislike of Ginny.

Ever since their fight, tensions had been running high. The fight wasn't directly mentioned but Harry could feel it whenever he walked into a room and she was there.

He was still angry about the fight himself. He still couldn't figure out for the life of him why she was so bent on distrusting him, especially when she was the one that had committed treachery first. He didn't understand why she distrusted him when it ought to be the other way around!

Two days before Christmas, Harry came back to the apartment to find Ginny sitting in the living room watching T.V. He knocked the snow off his boots and set them down near the door. He shrugged off his heavy coat and hung it up as well.

He started to walk into the kitchen to get something warm to drink when a voice stopped him.

"Harry," Ginny said calmly. Harry stopped mid-step. He told himself not to become upset and slowly turned around.

"Yes?" he replied, willing himself to keep hold of his temper that always seemed to much more likely to fly off the handle these days. She hadn't done anything yet. Not yet.

"The Ministry party is on Friday," she said, not looking at him. He could tell she was still angry with him. "We are going, right?"

"Of course," Harry said sardonically, "wouldn't want to disappoint the Minister, now, would we?"

She didn't respond for a moment and Harry knew she was holding her tongue. She had always seemed to like the Minister for god knows what reason.

"Good, I suggest you wear that Muggle suit you got with the green shirt underneath," she said in a flat tone. It was obvious she was trying to hold her temper.

"I'll do that," he said. He turned around then and went back into the kitchen. He stood at the counter and used his wand to boil some water. He made himself a cup of Muggle hot chocolate with the big marshmallows.

Ginny had never cared for the drink. She said it was childish and he shouldn't be drinking it as it had too much sugar. Right now, though, he really didn't care what she thought. As Harry sipped his cocoa, his mind wandered again to the party and he groaned at the thought.

He hated going to them but it was seemingly required of him. He sighed and got up off the stool. He wandered into the bedroom and opened the closet to look at the suit Ginny had mentioned. He fingered the soft material and sighed. He would much rather spend the evening flying or at home by himself with a book and a nice fire in the fireplace.

Unfortunately, neither option was available. He sighed again and shut the wardrobe. He lay down on his back on the bed, staring at the dark ceiling, wondering why on Earth he had to be the one to destroy Voldemort and therefore be forever forced to attend trivial, boring Ministry parties.

***

Christmas morning arrived, the bright grey sky outside the window shown into the semi-dark living room. Harry and Ginny opened their presents in relative silence.

Harry received the obligatory gift from the Dursley's, sweets from Ron, the usual book from Hermione, gifts from Hagrid and Mrs. Weasely. Not to forget the twins also, sending him a box of new products from their store, and, of course, a new drawing from Dobby. From Ginny he received a new jacket.

He thanked her for it and slipped it on for a moment. It was comfortable, made of Dragon's hide. He fingered the collar for a second before taking it off and placing it carefully back in the box.

They spent the rest of the morning relaxing in the glow of Christmas. Harry ate some of the sweets Ron had sent while Ginny eyed them disapprovingly. Around four in the afternoon, Ginny disappeared into the bathroom to get ready for the party.

Harry never understood why she needed so much time to get ready for something as simple as this. Two hours later, Harry went to get dressed. He changed into a pair of black slacks paired with a black jacket that hung on his body, open in the front. Underneath it he wore the emerald green shirt Ginny had suggested.

He took a little gel and ran it through his hair, hoping to make it look a little less messy. It kind of worked for about a second until it sprung back into place. Harry just shrugged and gave up.

He went out into the living room to wait for Ginny. He grew impatient, checking the clock every five seconds. He didn't want to go, but he also wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.

At ten till seven, Ginny emerged from the bedroom. She was wearing a turquoise party-type dress. It was cut to just below her knees and flared out a bit at the bottom, accenting her shapely figure. The top was made to look like a corset. The whole dress appeared to be made out of silk.

Her hair had been braided then twisted back into an elegant knot. Her make-up was perfect as she walked out to Harry.

"You look nice," he said politely.

"As do you," she replied. Together they walked out of the building, each receiving compliments from the doorman. They walked around the corner of the building to the deserted alley and Apparated to the party.

The Christmas party was always held in a special ballroom located at a hotel on the outskirts of London. Harry and Ginny arrived and walked in together.

The room was decorated in silver, gold, red, and green. Tiny faeries flew overhead, casting twinkling light on the guests. There were several tables off to the side of the room including one piled high with food. In the corner was the traditional bar.

Harry was about to make for the bar when the Minister came upon them.

"Harry! Mrs. Potter," he greeted them ecstatically. "So glad you came. Now it's really a party!"

Harry nodded vaguely, wishing he could just go get a drink. He could see Ron already over there.

Ginny smiled graciously at the Minister when Harry gave no proper response. "We're so glad to be here, Minister," she said. "We just love the Christmas party, always the highlight of the year!"

The Minister was pleased to find such an eager participant and Harry was able to slip away from them. He made his way over to the bar and ordered a drink.

"Hey, mate," Ron greeted him, stirring his drink slowly. "You just get here?"

"Yeah," Harry sighed, reaching for his drink. "It's going to be a long night."

"I'll drink to that," Ron said, holding out his glass.

Harry smiled and clinked the glasses together then took a drink. When he lowered it, he cast a glance around the entire room. Many important couples were present including a few members of the old Order. Harry had no desire to talk to them and relive the story of how he killed Voldemort for the millionth time.

He saw that Ginny had moved from the Minister and was now chatting happily with some young man about Harry's age. She was laughing a bit over-dramatically and Harry frowned. They had only been there ten minutes and already she was flirting with someone new.

He continued his way around the room, taking in the decorations and the many people present.

"Hey, look," Ron said, nodding in the direction of the door. "Malfoy's here."

Harry's head snapped in that direction. Sure enough, there was Draco, looking ravishing in tight blue slacks and another of his trademark button down shirts, this one white with light blue stripes.

"He must have brought Pansy as his date," Harry commented as she came in through the door with him. She looked very elegant in a long, dark blue, silk dress that matched Draco very well. She held herself proudly as they walked into the room.

Ron's gaze snapped to Pansy when Harry mentioned her name. He watched as she walked in on Draco's arm. He grabbed a second drink and downed it readily. Harry didn't say anything, his attention too focused on Draco.

Draco and Pansy stopped to talk to the Minister for a few moments, making the necessary pleasantries. After the Minister left, Draco whispered something to Pansy and she nodded. She let go of his arm and drifted off in the opposite direction to talk to some people she knew.

Harry wrenched his gaze away from Draco, forcing himself to look away. He knew it would not be good if he was found out, especially here of all places. He turned back to Ron, who was downing his third drink.

"Ron, you may want to pace yourself," he warned him.

"Huh?" Ron asked distractedly. "Oh, yeah."

He said this but didn't set down the drink. Harry rolled his eyes, deciding he wouldn't be responsible for his friend that night. Harry ordered another drink and set in to watch the evening pass.

Throughout the evening he watched as Ginny was approached by many different young men. She would always entertain them in some way and Harry would watch as she laughed and giggled at their many compliments.

He watched as Ron drank more and more, becoming slightly drunk after his fourth drink. Harry wondered if he should bother to stop him or just wait to see the fireworks that were sure to come.

Draco passed by him several times but never spoke to him. It was starting to become a bit unnerving to him. After a while, Seamus showed up at the party with the same dark-haired man Harry had seen at his house a month before.

"Harry," he said happily as he came over to him. "You remember Shawn."

"How could I forget," Harry said, smiling at the shy brunette.

"Where's Ginny?" Seamus asked. Harry nodded to where she was standing surrounded by at least five men. Seamus frowned but didn't say anything because Ron was standing right there, not that he would have noticed anyway. He was fairly sloshed by that point.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Seamus dragged Shawn off to dance with him. Harry smiled as he watched them go, wondering if Draco had seen them talking and maybe it had helped in his plan.

A few minutes later, Hermione and Blaise arrived. She looked very pretty in a hot pink cocktail dress alongside Blaise dressed in a black Italian suit. She smiled warmly at Harry when she saw him and pulled Blaise over.

"Harry, how are you?" she asked. She looked around him and noticed Ron behind him looking a little unfocused. "Is Ron okay?"

"He's just had a bit to drink," Harry replied. "I'm doing as well as can be expected at one of these things."

Hermione gave him a sympathetic look while Blaise just looked bored. "Has it been any different?"

"Does it look like it?" he asked, indicating Ginny to her. Hermione frowned as she saw the many men surrounding her. She sighed and turned back to Harry, who had ordered a third drink and was in the process of drinking it.

"I'm sorry, Harry. But you never know, it might get better."

"Yeah, maybe," he muttered. Hermione gave him a hug then and he felt a tiny bit better. She smiled encouragingly at him before going off with Blaise to talk to other people they knew.

Harry sighed and leaned back against the wall of the ball room. Beside him, Ron tried to stand up straight but was having a little bit of trouble.

"H-Harry?" he said.

"Yeah, Ron?" Harry sighed.

"Can you gemme another drink?" he asked, slurring his words slightly.

"Sure," Harry sighed again. He ordered another drink for Ron without a second thought.

After handing it to him, he looked once again to Ginny. She had barely acknowledged his presence since they had entered the room. He scowled as she laughed again at some stupid joke being told by one of the many men around her.

He decided that he needed some fresh air. He walked around the edge of the circular room, speaking to people as quickly as possible as he went. Finally, he made it to the doors leading outside. He pushed open the glass doors and stepped out onto the overhanging balcony.

The frosty winter air whipped his face and he felt much better. He leaned on the railing of the balcony, staring down at the city twelve stories below. Tiny pinpricks of lights showed all the Muggle houses below and beyond.

Behind him in the ball room, he could hear laughter and talking along with soft music and the clinking of glass. He wished he could be one of those carefree people who had nothing to worry about other than what to drink for the eminent hangover the next day.

He heard the balcony door open and close behind him. He didn't look to see who it was. He would know momentarily anyway.

"Potter," came the drawling voice of Draco Malfoy. "What are you doing here?"

Harry sighed and pushed himself off the rail, turning around the face the blond. "It's a Ministry party and I'm Harry Potter. What do you think?" he asked sarcastically.

Draco chuckled softly and moved around so that Harry's back was to the wall and the ballroom could be seen to the left through the glass doors. "You misunderstand me," he drawled. "I meant, why are you out here all by yourself while your lovely wife is clearly at a loss for your companionship?"

Harry scowled as he looked to his left through the doors to where Ginny stood, still surrounded by her many suitors. She didn't even seem to have noticed his absence.

"I just felt like being alone," Harry said finally.

Draco snickered again, moving closer to Harry. When he was just inches away, he tilted his head back and smirked at Harry. "You and I both know that's a lie," he drawled. He moved forward and licked Harry's neck sinuously.

Harry's eyes widened as he felt Draco's hot tongue slide over him. "Malfoy," he hissed. "What are you doing?! People are going to see!"

"No, they won't," Draco whispered in Harry's ear, taking the lobe into his mouth and sucking on it lightly. Harry swallowed hard as Draco dipped his tongue inside.

He glanced to his right and saw that no one was looking their way. He still felt it was way too exposed.

"Malfoy," he said pleadingly as Draco began to suck on his neck. "W-we can't. People are going to see, they're--ohhhh."

He moaned softly as Draco moved back to suck on the tanned skin of his neck, nibbling and licking the exposed flesh.

Draco pulled away and looked at Harry. "Do you want to get out of here, Potter?" he asked. Harry could only nod in response. "Good."

Then Draco kissed Harry hard and possessively, and they disappeared in a crack.

Meanwhile, back inside the ball room, Ron had finished his seventh drink. He stumbled over to one of the tables and climbed on top of it clumsily. He managed to get up without falling and he stood up. Everyone turned to look at him. Hermione's eyes widened as she saw how drunk he was.

She rushed over to try to help, as did Pansy. He refused their help down, now swaying dangerously on the top of the table.

"I have'n 'nouncement!" he slurred loudly, sloshing some of the drink he had brought up with him. "Pansy an' I're engaged!"

A collective gasp ran around the room and Pansy buried her face in her hands while Ron swayed happily on the table top.


~~**~~

A/N: It's what you've all been waiting for! Or at least what I've been waiting for. Christmas will come in three parts because all good things come in threes, don't you know ;) Trebling and all that. :) Please review and second part of the wonderful holiday will come next week!