She was like a drug to him; he couldn't get enough. He had looked everywhere for her, finally he found her in the study room at the end of the hall that no one ever used.
He felt desire for her even now. Was he insane? All he could see was the back of her head, but her auburn hair was tied back and that smudge on her left ear was just waiting for his attention.
He walked up to her but she didn't raise her head. "I have to work Draco, I have this paper due for potions and I'm only on my second roll of parchment."
"I'll help you on it, you know that it's my best subject. And I know it's due next Thursday. What are you playing at Ginny? I've looked everywhere for you and I find you here, where not even Granger ventures to finish her studying. You've been avoiding me and I think we need to make up for lost time." He took her hand and pulled her up so that she was standing then dipped his head to the crook of her neck.
Ginny sighed as he started nibbling her neck and tilted her head to allow him better access. He moved down to her collar bone, then started to unbutton her blouse. Ginny had her eyes closed but when he reached the second button she gently pushed his hand away.
"Draco, we have to stop, I have some thinking to do and I can't think when I'm around you." Draco rose to meet her gaze.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what I said; I just need some time to think."
"About what?" he asked incredulously. Ginny didn't answer. "I don't think you need to think, I think we need to talk." He turned towards the door. "Let's go to my room, we can talk there."
"I don't want to Draco."
He stopped and turned to face her again, "All right, you are going to tell me what this is about right now. You left my room yesterday perfectly happy and now you don't want to see me, what is going on?"
"You're going to think I'm insane."
"No I won't, I promise." He wrapped his arms around her. "Tell me about it," he urged, still she didn't say anything. "Go on" he said and finally she opened her mouth to speak.
"Well . . . I was dreaming. Everything was normal at first but then I stepped through a door and . . . I saw these two women . . . Oh this is so stupid. Why am I telling you this?" she turned her head away from him but he could see her blushing.
". . . and one was called Mirhe and the other was Vehka," he finished for her. Draco was stunned that she had had a dream like his, but he was relieved. Her head shot up and she turned so that her shocked eyes met his.
"How did you know?" she asked.
"I had a dream just like it."
"Oh thank Merlin, I thought I'd lost my mind," putting her arms around him, Draco held her gently.
"No, everything they said was true."
"Everything? So I'm in danger and you . . . you are my guardian?"
"Yes." There was a pause.
"I'm scared."
Draco didn't say anything in response. They sat like that, on the floor of the study room, holding each other for a long time, Draco feeling her fear and gently rocking her.
It will be okay. I'll protect you, I promise.
, ,. .- -* *` `*~-. ., ,. .- -* *` `*~-. ., ,. .- -* *` `*~-. ., ,
`Dear Mister Malfoy . . . have met with your father in his incarceration . . . meet in Hogsmeade . . . January the 19th . . . plans for the future.'
Draco had read the letter over and over again after discovering it in his room upon his return and its words continued to swim in his head. Who was Victor Hughes? He had never heard of him but he knew that his father had had more associates than just the Parkinsons, Crabbes, Goyles, Zabinis and other powerful families that he knew about. Most of his associates were in Azkaban anyways; maybe his father was resorting to this man because he had no other choice.
Although he knew he should just throw the letter away he couldn't get rid of the seed of hope that the letter planted in his mind. He hadn't seen his father for almost two years. Relatives weren't allowed to visit Azkaban, it was ancient wizarding law. Only higher ranking officials in the ministry were allowed to see the faces of the condemned. Maybe Hughes worked in the ministry. Maybe through Hughes he could reach his father. This thought clawed at his heart, it was something he wanted for the longest time. Just because his ideals had changed since then, especially concerning Ginny, didn't mean that he didn't want to see his father.
No, this was stupid. These were dangerous times, the letter could be some sort of trick conjured up by death eaters. He tried to maintain this train of thought but his heart wouldn't let him tear the letter in two.
It wouldn't be dangerous to just meet with him in a public place, would it? Somewhere like the three broomsticks on the Hogsmeade weekend. If it really was his father trying to reach him then how could he refuse? He would simply meet with Hughes to verify if his offer was genuine.
With his decision now justified by reasoning, Draco sat down to write his reply.
Dear Mister Hughes,
I have received your letter
Draco stopped writing and scrunched the paper, throwing it in the fire.
Dear Mister Hughes,
Thank you for your offer to meet in Hogsmeade on Saturday the 19th of January. I would like to hear my father's opinions on my future.
Draco tossed that draft in the fire as well.
Dear Mister Hughes,
Thank you for your offer to meet in Hogsmeade on Saturday the 19th of January. I am eager to hear from my father and would like to discuss my future as well as many other subjects with him through you if it is possible.
It would be of greatest convenience to me for us to meet at the Three Broomsticks at 2:00 pm on that day. Please contact me again through owl if you have any problems with this arrangement.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
Draco sent the letter off, hoping he had made the right choice.
.
A/N: Short chapter this time, I know Ginny sounds like she some sort of weakling here, like she can't take care of herself but that will change. Michou: Draco doesn't need a protector, you'll see why soon. Thank you anyone who reviewed, I really appreciate them.
Disclaimer: Don't sue, I'm not making any money off of this, I don't own the Harry Potter characters unfortunately.