A/N: Wow, it's been a long time. I just kept putting this thing off and off and writing a few lines here and there and before I know it I'm done, but with how many months? Wow. All I can do is apologize and hope that this chapter makes up for it, which I can't guarantee. Y'all will just have to leave reviews nipping at my ass or praising it, but please, give me some feedback. I think I've gone rusty on my writing already. I will acknowledge the reviewers for the past chapter in the next one, which won't take as long, I promise!
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Girl Boy
Chapter Seven: Unveiled
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(Ginny)
"So what, you're saying that roses are overrated?"
"They're pretty, sure, but they've been so overused that it's just not the same."
"What matters if they're overused? The language of flowers is universal, Weasley. It's all in how the guy presents the rose."
"Or how the girl presents it."
"Please. I doubt a girl ever bought a flower, a rose no less, for her man."
"You'd be surprised, Malfoy. A girl can do wonders of things, even buy roses."
"Have you ever bought a rose for a man?"
"That's..."
"So you haven't!"
"That's not what I said."
"It's what you meant."
"Just because I haven't doesn't mean I wouldn't."
Malfoy laughed, a chuckle that brought a smile to my face.
"You're the strangest person I have ever met."
"Thank you."
It was 3 a.m. in the morning and we were laying on the hammock on our balcony, the moonlight illuminating our skin. We were both wide awake, not bearing the idea of sleep and both inevitably exhausted from the field trip to Paris we went on earlier that day.
"I think love is overrated," Malfoy said, frowning at the sky. "People make it out to be some...some thing, a type of...of...magic. Like it's really magic."
"I think that when you fall in love, you'll think differently." He looked over and smiled, making him look beautiful bathed in the moonlight.
After the episode about my mother's apron, we became friends. He was still an arrogant bastard and I was still a stubborn ass but in a way, we complimented each other. And besides, no one else here could understand me. My sorrow. My thirst for...something. A change. Anything at all. It felt nice, knowing that someone else understood. That was something rare for me to find, and I was smart enough to know I wouldn't find it again very easily.
"So you think it exists?" Malfoy asked, his eyes still on mine.
"Why don't you?"
"Because it's a waste," he said, almost bitterly, his eyes now looking at my hair.
"Why is it a waste?"
"It forces you to need someone," he replied quietly. "It forces you to rely on someone."
"Is that such a bad thing? To need someone else?"
"It makes you weak," he breathed, a faraway look in his eyes. "Love just makes you weak."
"I think it makes you stronger," I said, smiling slightly. "It's when you're alone that you're weak."
Malfoy looked at me, an empty look in his eyes.
"We're the loneliest people I know," he said softly before closing his eyes, breathing deeply.
I shifted slightly, snuggling more into Malfoy's body warmth as the night's chill settled onto my skin. "Accio blanket," I whispered, watching the quilt from my bed float towards us and lay itself on our still bodies.
Malfoy's comment rang in my ears. I wasn't lonely...I had so many people. I had my friends. I had Harry.
Harry...
Maybe Malfoy was right. Maybe I was alone. Maybe we both were.
It scared me to see how vulnerable Malfoy really was. His transformations were liquid...one second he would be pompous and the next, faraway-eyed and soft voiced.
I was falling for him hard.
I really shouldn't be.
I had Harry.
The next thing I knew I was waking, my eyes blinking against the sun's light. I found myself too comfortable to move. Looking around I realized sometime during the night Malfoy's arms found its way around my body, my head nestled against the bridge of his neck and his chest, his heartbeat a soft lullaby.
~-~-~-~-~-~
(Hermione)
"So...what happened?"
"Nothing," I replied curtly, washing the dishes. "Good morning, April."
"G'morning," April yawned as she padded towards us, her hair a wilder mess than mine. "Food?"
"I saved some pancakes for you."
"You're my hero."
"So what happened!" Samantha exclaimed, her eyes excited. "Sod it, Hermione, you can't go on a date with yummy Potter and not tell me!"
"Give up," April said, mouth full of pancake. "I've been trying for two days to get her to tell me something and I've got nothing."
"But he was yummy, wasn't he?"
"Gorgeous," April said, grinning at me over her orange juice. "Absolutely gorgeous."
"Better in magazines or in the flesh?"
"Most definitely flesh."
"I don't see why you're not telling us, 'Mione," Samantha complained, sighing. "I mean, it was only your first date. I bet all he did was kiss your cheek."
Damn my blush.
"Oh my God," April said, her eyes wide. "Is that seriously all that happened?"
"Harry's a gentleman," I said, my chin rising defiantly. "He told me he didn't want to do anything, not while I was with Justin."
"That's nice of him," April said, nodding in approval. "I like this Potter. You two would have adorable children."
"April!" I said, grinning.
"But you know, Herm...you've gotta do something about Justin." I sighed, knowing Samantha was right. "Honestly, you've got to break up with the poor bloke already. More for his sake than yours. It's just...pitiful. And Harry's right, you know. You two can't really do anything while you're still officially taken."
"I know," I whispered. "I'm doing it tonight."
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(Draco)
I couldn't be falling for Weasley.
Honestly. She was a stubborn, bitchy ass who had to have everything her way, was rude, horribly opinionated and had the emotional control of a tea spoon.
Unfortunately, none of these traits crossed my mind when I woke up with her next to me, a peaceful expression on her face and her hand latched onto my shirt.
These past few days were...unexplainable. In some way, Weasley and I became...
...well, I wouldn't call it friends.
Would I?
In any case, we stayed up all night talking.
Talking.
I had never done as much talking with a woman as I had done with Virginia Weasley.
And as much as it pained me...
I partially enjoyed her wit, her sarcasm, that annoying stubborness she had. Our heated debates brought to my attention her passion, her intellect, and most importantly, her strong will.
As I tried to wriggle away from her, she only tightened her grip and snuggled closer. I eventually gave up and lay still, watching her face as she slept on, completely oblivious.
It was almost calming, having her next to me. I could feel her heartbeat and it was a strange comfort.
She looked beautiful. And I wasn't one to hand out compliments. But in the morning light, she was absolutely exquisite.
My arm was beginning to lose circulation, so I put it in the one place my blood flow would return. Around Weasley's waist.
As my arm settled in, I didn't particularly dislike it. In fact, I hoped I would never move.
Weasley licked her lips, her eyes slowly sliding open. The moment she saw me, a small smile adorned her features. I couldn't help but feel a small sensation building in my chest, a strange sort of warmth.
"Morning, Malfoy."
"Weasley, if you could please let go of me, I need to go get a decent amount of sleep before my seminars restart."
That's not true. That was probably the best damn sleep I've ever had. Don't you ever let go of me.
"I think you were quite comfortable last night," she said, grinning seductively at me.
Hell yes.
"And besides, your arm is around my waist." Weasley looked up at me, something unfathomable swimming in her eyes. "What would you do if I were to decline your request?" She licked her lips again, her hold on me tightening as she pulled me ever so closer.
Screw defiance. I wanted her to kiss me.
"Malfoy," she purred, "you're late to your morning class."
I checked my watch.
Shit.
~-~-~-~-~-~
(Justin)
I could just feel it.
Hermione was drifting away from me.
Not that I could blame her...I wasn't exactly the most interesting bloke in town. Not rich or particularly handsome...I didn't deserve a Hermione Granger.
But you know, I did love her. I mean, I do love her.
There was just something wrong with it all.
I couldn't help but feel like I was holding her back somehow, that our time had past and there wasn't really anything else to hold onto.
Besides, I could see the way she looked at Harry Potter. She never looked at me like that, not anymore.
"I wanted to tell you I want to break up."
Hermione stared at me, her eyes wide as she processed this information.
"You...want to break up?"
"Well...yes...and don't pretend that you're sad, I know you want it too."
"Justin-"
"Don't 'Justin' me."
Oh, how I was sick of people stepping all over me. For months I tried to salvage what Hermione and I had...I almost wish that she ended it when the fire burned out for her. Not only was she wasting her time, but she was wasting my time too. If she had broken up with me back then, then I could have gotten over her by now. Maybe I wouldn't love her anymore. I didn't want to love someone who didn't love me back...it wasn't a nice feeling.
"I-"
"I just hope that we can stay friends," I said, coughing. "And, um, I just want you to come clean...I need you to come clean."
"About what?" She was biting her lip. She was nervous. She was hiding something.
"About us," I whispered. I shuffled my feet, looking anywhere but directly at her. Finally I opened my mouth and asked the question I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer to. "When exactly did we die out?"
Hermione looked so sad that I reconsidered my thoughts. Maybe I was just paranoid. Maybe she really didn't want us to break up...maybe-
"When I came home from that business trip."
Oh.
"I'm sorry Justin, so sorry, I just...I don't know...there just..."
"Wasn't enough?" I whispered. Hermione nodded, biting her lip and sniffing slightly.
"I wanted it to be enough," she told me, looking me in the eye.
"Can't really control it, can you," I muttered. She shook her head slowly, her eyes trained on me.
"No, you can't."
~-~-~-~-~-~
(Ginny)
"No way!"
"Yes."
"You've never seen Star Wars?!"
"Why would I?"
"Why?! Because it's brilliant shit! You've restricted yourself to the muggle world and you haven't experienced any of its luxuries?"
"Honestly, Weasley, what luxuries could come from muggles?"
Merlin. Malfoy was a wanker.
"Video games! Sitcoms, soda, the wonderful world of action-packed brilliant movies! Cartoons! Effing Broadway! Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats! Bleeding Mary Poppins!"
"You must be out of your mind. Mary Poppins was a witch."
I ignored his comment. "I swear it. The moment we're back in England you and I are settling down and watching Star Wars. You'll love it, I guarantee."
"You hold too much faith in this bloody muggle movie."
"You don't hold enough faith in my impeccable taste."
Malfoy grinned at me, looking down and shaking his head.
"You're bloody insane."
"I'm Virginia Weasley."
"So when we go back to England, we're going to see...Star Wars?"
"Yes. And Mary Poppins, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, oh Merlin Malfoy, how do you survive!"
"Coffee."
I laughed, tugging at his tie.
"That's, of course, assuming you come home with me," I said, smiling slightly.
"Come home with you?"
Come home with me? Was I being serious?
"Well..."
Damn it all to Hell, did I really want Malfoy in my house? In England? After all this? Without Harry?
......was that even rhetorical?
"Yes. I think it's too much to assume that you have a working television."
Malfoy smirked.
"Home with you it is, then."
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(Harry)
"Sir, would you like me to refill your glass?"
"No, thank you."
The attendee smiled at me before turning to her left to ask the bloke sitting there if he wanted some more soda. I sighed, rubbing my temples before my eyes returned back to the window next to me.
Well, I was headed to France.
I had to. Not like I had any choice. Given that I had to talk to Ginny, and Ginny was in France, meaning I would have to go to France...
Yes. My logic was undeniable.
But still.
Didn't want to go to France.
Nervous.
Very nervous.
What the hell was I going to say?
Sorry Gin, but I fell in love with a muggle who happens to work with me while you were away and we can't be together anymore?
Hmm...somehow, I don't think that'll come off too well.
Ooh, how about this.
Sorry Gin, but after Ron died-
Ooookay, cannot start out that way.
Wow. I'm a bleeding idiot.
Ha, I know.
Sorry Gin, but I don't love you anymore.
That just might work.
Ginny always hated beating around the bush. Might as well be direct and hope for brownie points.
She wouldn't hate me, would she? Merlin, I couldn't stand having Ginny hate me, having my best friend, the most important person in my life, hate me.
And to be perfectly honest...
Did I ever love her? In that way?
Arg.
Best not mention that.
Wait.
I fell in love with a muggle...
Did I really think that?
Did I really fall in love?....with a muggle?....
...with Hermione Granger?!
Oh my bleeding Merlin, I was in love with Hermione Granger.
Somehow, this isn't surprising.
Why isn't this surprising?!
I never thought I was in love with her...I just...wasn't in love with Ginny, and she was there, and my attentions were focused on her and I was maybe falling in love, but I wasn't already....IN love...
..was I?
Fuck.
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(Hermione)
"He broke up with you."
"Yup."
"Wait, I'm sorry, I think I just hallucinated. He broke up with you?"
"Yeah..."
"God, Hermione! He broke up with you?!"
"How many times must you say this!"
"Well, I'm sure once is enough, but....okay, nevermind, no, it's not. He broke up with you?!"
"April!"
I fell back on our couch, my hand over my eyes as I sighed deeply. This night was not ending well.
"Hermione..I'm sorry...I must not be very supportive.."
"No," I replied, thinking it would sound bitter but the word sounded more exhausted to my ears. "April, I think I'm actually..."
"Well, no one expected you to be jumping up and down and gugging the beer in batches."
"When do I do that anyway?" I asked, smiling at April from behind my hand.
"Remember graduation, Ms. Valedictorian?"
"Oh, God, don't remind me!"
"Who knew you could hold your liquor like that..."
"April, you promised never to bring it up!"
"And you promised to never drink again, but you broke that too!"
"Did not! After experiencing a hangover like that who in their right mind would drink again?"
"Well apparently you...remember the day you couldn't bear the thought of losing a dare and you chugged Samantha's Secret Salute? Or when Bill spiked the punch at Lucy's wedding and you had a dry throat? Or-"
"Allright, allright!" I managed to yell out in between wheezes of laughter.
"See, I can be supportive." After a brief silence, April sat down next to me and took my hand, taking in a deep breath before saying, "Are you okay, though?"
"Well, yes...but no...I mean, Justin was really important to me, you know...going out with a bloke for a few years will make him that...and not just as an ex, I mean, he was important to me even before we went out. Besides Colin, he's probably the only real friend I have at work...and I know I've hurt him, and it hurts me that I hurt him...you know?"
"Yeah," April whispered, nodding. "But...do you regret it?"
"No," I whispered. "And I feel horrible for it."
"You can't make everyone happy," April said, glancing around the living room. "I mean, think of all the poor rejected blokes in the literature you love that end up allright."
"Like who?" I asked hopelessly. I felt like such a slag.
"Uum..Paris! In Romeo and Juliet! Oh, wait, he gets stabbed, doesn't he? Uuuh...Bill Pullman in Sleepless in Seattle...who wants Meg Ryan, anyway? Or, um...Peter Gallagher in While You Were Sleeping, but wait, he was a bastard to begin with...uum..."
"April, it's okay. Really. I'm okay, I just...I think I miss him..."
"Harry?"
"No...Justin...I don't want him back, but he was just..."
"I know what you mean, Hermione." April patted my hand and smiled a sad, light touch of angel's wings. "Good guys will do that to you."
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(Draco)
"M. Malfoy, M. Draco Malfoy, please come to the front desk. There is a message for you."
Wonderful.
What would it be. A telegram from my dead mum?
I walked to the hotel's front lobby, the coins jingling in my pockets and my hands cold against my sides. There was a line at the front desk, a bleeding line.
"Hey," someone said, grabbing my arm as I tried to walk past him. I arched an eyebrow, gently pulling my arm back and running my hands through my hair. Potter.
"What?"
"Look, there's a line...you can get to the back." What the hell was fucking Potter doing here? Surely not to see Ginny...was he?
"Right." Fucking idiot. They called my name. I turned around only to find that he had grabbed my elbow once more, a glare in his green eyes.
"I mean it. You can't just cut in front of everyone."
I'm not jealous.
"Get your hands off me."
Will not overreact.
"I will when you get behind everyone else."
Bleeding Wanker.
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(Harry)
Bleeding Wanker. What the hell did he think he was doing? We've been waiting for ages and all of a sudden he strides up and decides his business is more important? Merlin, he reminded me of those pompous Slytherins back at Hogwarts.
He glared at me, his lips curling into a sneer before he stepped back, holding his hands up in front of him.
"Whatever, Pothead."
"What did you call me?" What the fucking hell did he call me? And why did his voice, that sneer, suddenly make me want to put the crucio on him?
"Oh, sorry. Must censor myself, now that I'm in front of royalty."
"What?" What the fucking hell? He widened his eyes innocently, with that smirk still attached to his face. Who the hell was he, anyway?
"What the hell did the Dark Lord do to you, Potter, for you to need me, a mere spy, to have to remind you of who you are?"
Draco Fucking Malfoy.
"You're Draco Fucking Malfoy," I spat. His smirk grew.
"Nice to know you remember me."
~-~-~-~-~-~
(Ginny)
Oh. My. Fucking. God.
Merlin, help me. Please.
I heard an announcement about Draco needing to go down to the front desk so that's where I went, hoping to see him. I was starving, and needed some company. I always hate eating in restaurants alone, it makes me feel...well, lonely.
But alas. I got down there and I saw Draco's hair, so I made my way towards him. Only to find another familiar figure just a few feet from him, the two of them in a conversation.
Harry.
Oh, God, what was I going to do?
Harry was slowly getting red, looking ready to beat Draco to a pulp. And I'm sure Draco could hold out on his own, but against Harry Potter...?
"Harry!" I yelled, my voice breaking as I swallowed vigorously. He looked around, spotted me and smiled. Draco narrowed his eyes at me as I approached-I was in Hell.
"Ginny," Harry breathed and he swept me into a hug the moment I was close enough. The familiar embrace made me smile and I leaned into his touch, wrapping my arms around his waist and holding him close.
"Hey," I whispered. I could see Draco in the corner of my eye glaring at the back of Harry's head. Then, noticing my glance, he sent me a look too. I suppose he tried to send me some cold fury but what I got instead was curiosity...and some desperation.
Damnit. I was really hoping this wouldn't turn out this way.
A few days ago I told Draco that Harry and I broke up...but that we hadn't made it public yet, scared of the publicity. He ate it up. And I was telling the truth, really...I didn't flat out say we broke up. I just said it died out, and that there wasn't anything there anymore...which there isn't, but...I suppose Harry never got that message. And I don't know...Draco was such an annoying prick with an ego the size of his supposed penis, but...there was something about him that made me want to lie about Harry. That made me want to bring him home after all this was over. That made me think maybe this trip was doing me some good...and it made me curious.
"I missed you," he whispered.
Not that I was falling for him, or anything. Actually, I was. But I couldn't admit that to myself. To him, to Harry. It was the biting sarcastic remarks that drew me in and it was his heartbeat, his eyes, and his whispers that kept me there.
"I missed you too," I said back, which was truthful. I did miss him. His laugh, his eyes, his comfort...but not his touch, his kisses... "Harry, look, we need to talk..."
"I know, I know. I need to talk to you, too. But...the only reason I got to come and see you was because I had a meeting here too, you know how busy it is now, with...well, Ron gone, and...could we eat dinner? In two hours? I just have to stop by my hotel room and call a few people and do a few things but...could we? Would that be okay?"
How could I say no?
"Of course it would," I said, smiling at him.
"I'll pick you up in two hours? Here?"
"Sure. Should I dress up?"
"Gin, your sexy in anything." With that Harry smiled at me, leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'll see you in two hours."
Harry walked away briskly, off to do some business, I'm sure. It took a few deep breaths and a clenching of my fists for me to look over at Draco, who was giving me a look that made me feel as if I had done some mortal sin, stabbed him in the heart with a stake and then left him for dead.
And maybe I had.
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reviewing's good for the soul...
A/N: I will try to get the next chapter up sooner than I got this one up. Less than a few months, I can promise you this time. Spring Break's just around the corner!