Ginny placed both hands on her hips. “Fred, how stupid do you think I am?”

He gave her a wounded look. “You’ve got it all wrong. We’d test it ourselves, but we’re both allergic to cats.

Closing her eyes, Ginny took a deep breath. Since she’d come to work at her brother’s joke shop, she’d endured some humiliating experiences. She was not going to let them talk her into another act of lunacy.

George cleared his throat. “I said I’d do it with you. I’ll try on the dog collar while you try on the cat collar. What could go wrong?”

Ticking items off on her fingers, Ginny said, “I could be stuck as a cat forever. You could try to eat me. I could develop a fetish for small plush toys.”

Fred bit his lip. “She has a point, George. I should probably put you on a leash. I’d hate to explain to mum that Ginny won’t be coming to Sunday dinner because you chased her up a tree.”

Now George was the brother giving her a wounded look. “I would never hurt you. I might chase you for fun, but I would never do you bodily harm.”

“These Animagus Collars are untested,” she pointed out. “You could turn into a werewolf for all we know.”

“Now you’re just being ridiculous,” Fred told her. “We created the spells ourselves. The red collar will turn a person into a dog. The blue one will turn someone into a cat.”

“For how long?” Ginny asked.

Fred and George rubbed their chins and then shrugged.

“Who knows? We weren’t real specific on that part of the spell.” George poked Ginny in the ribs. “Come on. What will it take?”

Without batting an eye, she said, “I want you to clean out the storage area above the store and help me renovate it into a flat.”

“You have a flat,” George pointed out.

“I have three roommates. I want a flat of my own. Mum won’t be able to object if I’m living over the shop.”

Fred made eye contact with George. They both nodded and said, “It’s a deal.”

George picked up the blue collar and handed it to her. She glanced towards the front door. “Is the store locked? I don’t want anyone to witness this.”

“The front door is closed and locked.” Fred pointed at the sign on the door. “See.”

Ginny took the blue collar and held it to her throat. She looked at George as he placed the red collar on his throat.

“I’m an idiot,” she declared as she fastened the collar.

Nothing happened.

“I don’t think it works,” Ginny said.

“Give it a minute,” Fred suggested.

She waited, and suddenly everything in the room became bigger. She tried to speak, and it came out as a meow. Her world went dark. She realized she was inside her clothes. She wiggled her way out of her blouse and kicked with her back feet to disentangle herself from her bra.

She looked up at Fred, “Don’t leave my knickers in the middle of the floor,” she yelled. At least that is what she tried to say. All that came out was a pathetic yowl.

An ear shattering bark startled her. All the hair on her back stood up as she looked up to see a large shaggy mutt bearing down on her.

“Sit, George,” Fred commanded.

The dog turned on Fred and growled.

“Good boy?” Fred backed up. His eyes shifted to Ginny. “Run,” he mouthed before he scrambled up onto the counter.

Ginny hissed and ran for the back storeroom. She was sure she could lose him in the boxes.

Growling and the scrabbling of toenails on hardwood told her George was close. She raced between boxes and then jumped on top of a workbench. The wretched dog managed to get his front paws onto the bench. The bloodlust in his eyes convinced her that she needed to head for higher ground.

The window, high on the side wall, caught her eye. There was no way the dog could reach her up there. She coiled the energy in her muscles and shot like a spring onto the windowsill. Too late, she realized the window was open. Unable to stop her momentum, she flew through the air claws extended hoping to grab onto something.

A man screamed and reached for her as she landed and dug into his cloak. Pushing off his back she jumped to the ground. People were everywhere. Pain shot up her back as someone stepped on her tail. She scrabbled to find a place free of dangerous boots.

In desperation, she jumped for the bottom of someone’s cloak. She scrambled up the cloak. Whatever fur it was lined with prevented her from wounding the owner. She crawled up to the man’s chest and yowled.

A hand came around to support her body weight. “Where did you come from?”

The grey eyes that looked down at her showed confusion and amusement.

She gave a pleading meow.

He reached for her collar. If only he would take it off.

“You don’t have any tags.” He scratched her ears. It was bliss. A rumbling noise poured from her throat. While she was slightly embarrassed by her reaction, she was disappointed when he stopped.

***

Draco studied the cat clinging to him. She had amber fur and golden brown eyes.

“What is that thing?” Pansy screeched when she emerged from the shop she’d been visiting.

“It’s a cat.” Was she really that dense? Why was he still allowing his mother to guilt him into hanging around this annoying woman?

“Get rid of it.” Pansy ordered.

Draco had just been wondering whom he could pawn the cat off on since he’d never been a pet person. Pansy speaking to him as if he were a house elf changed his mind. He scratched the cat’s ears and smirked when a deep rumbling purr vibrated through the animal’s body.

“I think I’ll name her Amber.”

“You can’t keep her,” Pansy stalked over to him.

The cat took one look at Pansy and turned into a giant, hissing furball.

“I don’t think Amber likes you either. Perhaps it’s best if we part company for a while.” Without bothering to acknowledge Pansy’s outraged squawking, Draco Disapparated on the spot.

He landed in the parlor of his house with Amber clinging onto his cloak with all four sets of claws. Wide eyed, the cat looked up at him and yowled.

He stroked her ears. “I imagine you’ve never Apparated before.”

The cat relaxed and leaned into his hand.

“Amber, what am I going to do with you?” Of course the cat didn’t answer.

***

Amber? Why was the nice man calling her Amber? That didn’t sound right. She glanced around the room. She was warm and safe. The wonderful man knew just how to scratch her ears. There was a nagging thought in the back of her head that she’s forgotten something important.

The man set her down on something soft and laid his cloak next to her. She sat still until he went to the fireplace. Once his back was turned, she climbed onto his cloak, kneaded it with her claws until she had it just right and then cuddled into the warm material.

When the man finished talking to the fireplace, he turned and saw where she lay. She closed her eyes to slits and purred at him to convey just how much she loved the cloak he’d given her.

***

After ordering cat supplies worthy of a Malfoy pet, Draco turned to find Amber nesting in his cloak. “Making yourself at home, I see.”

She purred in response.

“I suppose the house elves will be able to clean the cloak properly when you’re done with your nap.” He walked to the mantle and rang the small gold bell, which let the house elves know he required their services.

Tippy popped into the room. “Master?”

“I’ll have supper here in the parlor. Bring something for the cat to eat. I’m expecting a delivery from a pet store. Let me know when it’s arrived.”

The elf disappeared. Draco sat at the small table with one chair which he’d special ordered for his parlor so he could avoid company with his meals. Five minutes later, a plate of salmon and wild rice appeared on the table along with two small silver bowls. One bowl held salmon while the other was full of milk.

“Amber, it’s time for dinner.” He waited to see if the cat would respond.

***

The most wonderful smell filled the air. Stomach rumbling, the cat bounded across the room to the nice man. He set two bowls on the floor. She lunged at the fish. He could call her whatever name he liked if he fed her this way. She purred as she worked her way to the bottom of the bowl. She was about to yowl for more when she remembered the other bowl. One taste of the creamy liquid and she was purring again. By the time her nose touched the bottom of the bowl, she could barely keep her eyes open.

The nice man said her name. It took effort to look up at him. He smiled and said a few more words. She purred at him and curled up next to his feet.

Later, she felt herself being picked up. The nice man’s scent surrounded her, so she didn’t bother to open her eyes. He set her down on something soft. She dreamt of chasing butterflies.

***

Draco sat on the couch reading the evening newspaper. He glanced over at Amber asleep on the cat cushion he’d purchased. It was green velvet. The color contrasted with her fur making it appear redder than before. “I’ve adopted a bloody Gryffindor cat,” he muttered.

He’d had the house elves place the other cat items in a small basket on the floor. The cat loo was in the corner. It was a small square box with a door. Originally he’d balked at having a cat loo in his home. The pet-store owner had assured him anything the cat deposited in the loo was magically removed to a place that took care of such things. If his parlor ended up smelling like an outhouse, the cat would have to go.


***

The cat woke and discovered the warm soft pillow she was laying on. While it was comfortable, she preferred the man’s cloak. Since he seemed to be busy reading, she quietly relocated and cuddled into the folds of his cloak.

***

Draco finished reading his paper and glanced over at Amber. The pillow was empty. His cloak, however, was occupied. “That’s my cloak.”

Amber didn’t respond.

“So this is how people go round the bend and begin talking to their pets.”

He stood and retrieved her from the cloak. He’d intended to place her on the pillow, but she felt soft and warm against his chest. He grabbed a book off the mantle and settled onto the couch with the cat on his lap. Absently scratching Amber’s ears, he read the book and felt more relaxed than he had in a long time.

When his eyes grew heavy, he set the book down and tried to figure out what to do with the cat. If he left her here and went to his bedroom, she would be fine. Of course she might wake in the middle of the night in a new house and become upset. An upset cat could shred his couch. The only logical solution to save his furniture was to transport Amber and all of her accessories to his bedroom.

He placed the green pillow on the settee at the end of his bed. The house elves took care of the other cat items. Draco drifted off to sleep.

***

Amber waited until the nice man fell asleep. When she was sure he was done tossing and turning, she crept up to the top of the bed and made herself comfortable on his chest. It felt like where she belonged.

The man woke far too early the next morning. She felt herself being lifted and then set back down. The sound of water came from another room. She ignored the noise and made herself comfortable on his pillow.

The nice man reappeared, said her name again, patted her head and exited the room. He’d be back. This was his sleeping place. The entire room smelled of him. She drifted off to sleep and dreamt of chasing mice.

Hunger woke her some time later. She hopped off the bed and followed her nose. The nice man had filled her bowl with fish. Once she was done eating, she returned to his pillow for an afternoon nap.

***

Draco returned home from work to find the cat asleep on his pillow. “Amber, that’s my pillow.”

She woke at the sound of his voice and stretched. He could see strands of red fur on his pillowcase. When Amber walked to the bottom of the bed and then leapt at his chest, he caught her. “I suppose the enthusiastic greeting makes up for fur.”

After scratching her ears, he set her down and changed clothes. She followed him into the parlor where they had a nice quiet evening together.

Draco’s life settled into a pattern of going to work, dealing with people he didn’t really care for, and coming home to his cat. Two weeks into this new life, he noticed an ad in the newspaper. The Weasley twins were offering a reward for news of their sister or news of a cat they’d lost. The cat was reported to be a reddish- brown female wearing a blue collar.

Draco wondered what the sister had to do with the cat. He glanced down at where Amber sat in his lap. Was she the cat they’d lost? If so, did they deserve to have her back? The cat obviously adored him.

He scratched her chin and worked his fingers into her fur until he could feel her collar. It was hard to determine the color under the fur, but it appeared blue or black. “Do you want to go live with two idiots who create dung bombs for a living?”

The cat blinked big brown eyes at him. “Do you want to live here with me?” he asked as he scratched the cat’s ears. Amber purred.

“That’s what I thought. Maybe I should purchase you a new collar just to be safe.”

After dinner, the next evening, a jeweler delivered the collar Draco had ordered for Amber. It was black stretch velvet with an emerald charm. The back of the emerald served as the tag giving the name A Malfoy and his Floo address.

Before they went to bed that evening, he removed her old collar and replaced it with the new one. He drifted off to sleep with the comfortable weight of the cat sleeping on his chest. When the bed shifted he opened his eyes. Either he was having a particularly realistic dream, or there was a warm, soft, naked woman in his bed.

He blinked. Nothing changed. Being careful not to jostle her, he reached for his wand and turned on the bedside lamp. There was definitely a warm, soft, naked woman in his bed. She had auburn hair just the color of Amber’s fur. He cleared his throat. “Amber?”

The woman’s head popped up. “Meow?”

He suppressed a chuckle. “You’re no longer a cat.”

Confusion showed on her face. “Are you still the nice man who feeds me fish?”

“If that’s what you want.” He waited for her to realize she was naked, scream and jump away from him.

She laid her head back on his chest and closed her eyes.

Obviously she wasn’t in her right mind yet. He pondered his next words. “Do you know where you are?”

She yawned. “Home.”

“Do you know your name?”

“You call me Amber.” She lifted her head. “I have another name. A person name.”

He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. “I believe your name is Ginny Weasley.”

“That sounds familiar.” She frowned. “What’s your name?”

As soon as he told her, everything could go to hell. Best to get this over with. “Draco Malfoy.”

She showed no signs of recognition. Instead, she leaned into the hand he was running through her hair. His nails grazed her scalp. She sighed. “That doesn’t feel nearly as good as having my ears scratched.”

For about two seconds, he considered taking the high road by offering to Floo her family. If fate arranged for her to end up naked in his bed, far be it for him to argue. Justification achieved, he said, “I know something else you might like.”

She smiled and slid higher up his body. Curiosity shone from her eyes. “Go on.”

He brushed his lips against her neck and worked his way toward her ear. She didn’t seem to mind. When he pressed his mouth against hers, she returned the kiss and threaded her fingers through his hair. He took this as a good sign and reversed their positions so he was on top.

Half an hour later, they lay tangled in the sheets. Ginny had her face pressed against his neck. He was trying to catch his breath. She was either humming or purring. He decided it might be best not to point this out.

Some time later, he woke to the sound of voices. He opened his eyes to see Ginny, wearing his cloak, with her head in the Floo.

“No, mum. I’m not ready to leave.”

“You can’t stay with some stranger,” a woman’s voice replied.

“He’s not a stranger. I know him from school. He’s been very nice to me. I’ll Floo you tomorrow.”

Ginny ended the connection. She walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out a cashmere sweater. His breath caught as she dropped the cloak and put on the sweater. On her, the sweater looked more like a dress. He closed his eyes to slits as she approached the bed. When she climbed in and snuggled against him, it took effort not to smirk.

***

The next morning, Ginny woke to find herself draped across Draco’s chest. She studied his face while he slept. His face was angular, but handsome. It surprised her how comfortable she was with him. Even though she was no longer a cat, this still felt like home. He felt like the person she was meant to be with. She particularly enjoyed lying on his chest.

His eyes opened. “How are you feeling?”

“I have my memory back.” She gave him at tentative smile.

“Yet, you’re still here.” His eyes gave away nothing about how he felt.

Ouch. “Would you prefer I left?”

“No. Technically this is your home.” He pointed to the settee at the foot of his bed. “You have your own bed, toys, a new collar. It would be a shame to let all these things go to waste.”

His smirk grew as he talked. She felt herself grinning. “I suppose you’re right. It would be rude to leave after you’ve made me so welcome.”

“Quite right.” He pretended to frown. “I’m afraid I have to insist you return my sweater as I planned on wearing it later today.”

Blood thrummed through her veins as she remembered the way he’d made her feel last night. She sat up and pulled the sweater over her head. Pretending to be dim, she batted her eyelashes at him. “How shall we spend our morning?”

He pulled her into a heated kiss. She tried not to make any cat-related noises. Purring seemed to be instinctual at this point. He didn’t seem to mind.

***

Ginny woke to the most wonderful aroma. Draco sat next to her in bed eating pancakes and bacon.

When he noticed she was awake, he passed her a tray from his nightstand. Her pancakes and bacon were cut into bite-sized pieces and served in two small silver cat bowls.

She shot him a look.

He passed her a fork from his tray. “It’s a little funny.”

“Tea?” she asked, ignoring his comment.

He poured a cup for her and they ate in companionable silence.

After a second cup of tea, Ginny decided it was time to deal with reality. “I Flooed my mum last night. She’s expecting me to visit.”

Draco didn’t like the idea of Ginny leaving because he wasn’t certain she’d return. “I should go into work for a while. Why don’t we meet back here for dinner?”

“I’d like that.” She fidgeted with her teacup. “I’m trying to decide if I’m going to hex Fred and George.”

“I assume they’re the ones who convinced you to put on the collar?”

She nodded. “I was tired of living with roommates. They promised to clean out the storage area above the store and help me convert it into a flat. George turned into a dog and chased me. I’ll definitely hex him.”

He didn’t like the idea of her living in a new flat. Even though she was no longer a cat, he felt like she should live here. “Why don’t you shower while I send one of the house elves out for clothes?”

While Ginny was getting ready, Draco sent the house elves on multiple errands. By the time the water turned off, he had several outfits waiting. She came out wrapped in one of his robes. He was amused to see she still wore her collar.

He pointed at the bed. “These are all self-sizing. I wasn’t sure what you’d want to wear.”

Ginny walked straight to the black cashmere sweater dress. “This is beautiful.” She ran her hands over the soft material. A bag with the name of a lingerie store sat next to the dress. She picked it up along with a pair of black heels and headed back into the loo.

When she emerged in the clinging dress and sexy heels, Draco wondered if he really needed to go into work.

She blushed. “If you keep looking at me like that we’ll never get out of here.”

“I suppose you do have to visit your parents.” He checked the clock on the mantle. “Why don’t we meet here at half past six?”

“What Floo address should I give?”

“It’s on the back of your tag.”

“It’s not a tag; it’s a pendant.” She retrieved his cloak from where she’d left it. “Could you shrink this a bit for me?”

“Decided it’s yours?” he asked, as he performed the shrinking spell.

She nodded. He didn’t argue because he felt the same way about her.

***

Ginny Flooed into her parent’s house and was pulled into a life-crushing hug.

“I missed you too, but I’m fine.”

“You were gone for two weeks,” her mum protested.

She took a seat at the table and accepted the cup of tea her father offered. “I didn’t know I was missing. The man who found me took good care of me.”

Her father frowned. “Did he give you the dress and the necklace?”

“The necklace was actually my new collar. That’s how I changed back. He took off the Animagus collar and put this one on.”

“It’s very pretty. He must do well for himself,” her mum seemed happy about this fact.

“I suppose.” She smiled. “I like him. He’s asked me over for dinner tonight.”

“Who is this mystery do-gooder who rescues cats off the street?” her dad asked.

“Draco Malfoy,” she admitted.

“Bloody hell,” Fred and George both shouted as they stepped out of the Floo.

Enjoying herself, she said, “Our getting together is entirely your doing. I never would have spoken to him otherwise. I’m so happy I don’t even feel like hexing you.”

“Please hex us,” George said.

“No.” She grinned from ear to ear. “I probably won’t be needing that area above the store for a new flat.”

Fred smacked George in the back of the head. “You’re responsible for chasing our sister into Malfoy’s arms.”

“Actually, I climbed up his cloak,” Ginny stated.

George smacked Fred in the back of the head. “You were supposed to put a leash on me. It’s your fault I chased her.”

Ginny poured herself another cup of tea and watched her brothers argue. It soon turned into a wrestling match. At that point her mum hexed them both and sent them home.

“That was fun.” Ginny smiled at her dad. “Think we could lure Ron over here so mum can take a picture while I tell him about my dinner date tonight?”

***

At half past six, Ginny Flooed to the address on the back of her emerald. In her pocket she carried a shrunken suitcase and the photo of Ron. She emerged in Draco’s bedroom.

“Hello?”

“Don’t come out yet,” he called back. “I need a moment.”

Anticipation built as she wondered what he was up to. The savory scent of roasted meat filled the air. She started to purr and then realized what she was doing. “I have to get that under control.”

Draco appeared in the doorway. His eyes were alight with mischief. “Everything is ready.”

She took the hand he offered and entered the parlor. The small table with the single chair had been replaced with a slightly larger table and two chairs. Two silver domed plates rested on the table along with a bottle of wine and a pitcher of milk.

“Are my bowls under there?” She pointed at the domed plates.

He smirked. “No. I went with the pitcher of milk instead.”

She bumped him with her hip. “How long can I expect these cat jokes to continue?”

“I’m sure I’ll tire of them after a few years.”

Happy warmth spread in her chest. He planned on keeping her.

He pulled out her chair and joined her at the table.

She ignored his offer of wine and poured a glass of milk. “What? I always have milk with dinner.”

When it was time for dessert, the house elves delivered a mouse shaped cake. She pretended to be offended. “I had a gift for you, but now you’re not getting it.”

He gave her what could only be described as puppy dog eyes. She caved and presented him with the picture of Ron. “My mum took this as I told Ron who I’d been living with.”

Draco chuckled. “I’ve seen that face before. How did the rest of your family take the news?”

“My parents are happy that you kept me safe. Fred and George are gnashing their teeth. The rest of my brothers weren’t available for comment.”

“Pansy dropped by my office today.”

Ginny bristled. It felt like her fur should be standing on end. Since she didn’t have fur, it was an odd sensation. “And?”

“I told her I’d met someone, and I would no longer be available to take her shopping.”

“Good answer.” She decided to lay her cards on the table. “I told Fred and George I probably wouldn’t be turning the storage area into a flat.”

He sipped his wine. “That should scare the hell out of me, but I find I’m relieved.” He pulled a long thin jewelers box out of his pocket.

Ginny opened the box to find a thick gold chain.

“It’s for your pendant,” Draco explained.

She unhooked her collar and slid the emerald tag off the black fabric. The chain slid through gold loop at the top of the tag. It looked like the pendant and necklace had been made as a matched set.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” She clasped the necklace in place.

“This way, if you ever get lost or wander away, someone will know where to return you.”