WARNING: THIS CHAPTER IS CONTAINS CONTENT THAT IS NC-17. THE REST SHOULD BE BACK TO PG/PG-13, BUT I'M NOT MAKING ANY PROMISES.
AN: Sorry for the longer than usual wait! This chapter was SO difficult to get out. You won't believe how many times I started to write, got to about the 5th or 6th page and then threw it out. But, phew, I've FINALLY got something worth reading for you guys! :D Thanks so much for your awesome reviews last chapter! Ciao!
PS: I heard the song for this chapter and realized how PERFECTLY they fit together-it's almost downright eerie. Anyways, it's an awesome song, so download it if you can. : )
****"…."**** = memory
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"To be or not to be a Weasley"
Chapter 10: Just Hate Me
By: Adrial
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph; I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away
The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away…
There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away…'
'Broken' by: Seether ft. Amy Lee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ginny…?" Hermione gently opened the door to Ginny's dorm, peering through cautiously. Nothing was out of order-there were books scattered here and there, remnants of last night's failed attempt to study; Hermione noted the drawn shades and lack of lamp-light and shivered. Her eyes skimmed the rest of the room curiously before landing on a barely noticeable bulge on Ginny's bed. It shifted suddenly until a mop of red-hair appeared, presenting a dull contrast to the rest of the room painted in colors only sorrow could wield.
"Ginny…" Hermione sighed and knelt next to her bedside. Ginny hid her face in her pillow, away from Hermione's searching brown gaze, feeling a twinge of anger for the girl who had interrupted her sleep. She'd been so close to actually believing it was all a dream…Merlin, how she longed for it to all to be some nightmare that she could forget about…his stinging words, his passive glare…
***"What're you just standing there for? I said leave! Get away from me! Go back to your bloody house and forget you ever knew me! GO!!"***
Ginny bit her lip painfully, nearly drawing blood. But she didn't really want to forget…
"Please, Gin. Talk to me. We've been so worried these past few days…" Hermione trailed off, staring at the muted girl who seemed so incredibly small at that moment, curled up in blankets as if they were some makeshift barricade from the rest of the world.
"I-I'm…" Ginny buried her head deeper into her covers, "Please, Hermione. Just…go."
The latter pursed her lips together and contemplated the request. Sighing once more, Hermione tugged the blankets from around Ginny's head and tucked them at her sides, though she chose not to speak just yet.
Ginny squirmed and shivered. She made to pull back the linens, but Hermione grabbed her hands instead.
"Where did you go, Ginny?" She questioned, narrowing her eyes at the fragile replica of her best friend. The wall Ginny was facing blurred together as tears filled her eyes. "What did you do with the old Ginny? What…Merlin, Gin, what happened to you?"
Hermione felt the covers trembling; she rubbed a gentle hand over Ginny's back and listened painfully as she sobbed quietly. Hermione had so many questions to ask her. Where should she have started? She glanced around the room once more and noticed a small, leather book on Ginny's nightstand. It was opened to the fifth page with Ginny's swan feathered quill tucked haphazardly in the valley between pages. There were hastily scribbled words jotted around a picture in the middle, though Hermione could barely make out the face much less the words in the lightless room. Ginny's body was still quaking as Hermione lifted one hand to draw the book from its place. She held it close enough to be able to see the familiar pale face, the haunting silver eyes, the cocky demeanor and-
She dropped the book back onto the nightstand. Ginny sniffled again and shifted underneath the blankets. When she turned to Hermione and noticed the look of astonishment plastered over her face and the misplaced book, Ginny's eyes closed against it all.
All Hermione could do was stare at her, eyes alive and bewildered. Malfoy's face seemed to penetrate all thoughts however, though not contorted with hate or graced by a smirk. She saw for the first time the image of him as Ginny had been seeing for two months' time. She knew then what had been stealing their Ginny away from them for so long. She knew then who was responsible for taking away the young girl's light, her love, her self.
"Ginny…"
But Ginny merely shook her head. "Don't worry, Hermione. I've forgotten him-he's only a memory now."
Hermione searched Ginny's liquid hazel orbs for a long moment. She was still getting over the fact that Ginny actually had something about Malfoy to forget. How could she have missed it?
"Why didn't you tell me that you were…that you two…God, Gin, I can't even bloody fathom any of this." She shook her head.
Ginny laughed bitterly, and Hermione did not appreciate the change. "We were never together, Hermione, if that's what you're thinking. No…we weren't ever…."
Hermione felt her nerves ease. "Then what…what were you?"
Ginny didn't answer for a while; she fiddled with the lint on her cover. Finally, she met Hermione's gaze with eyes of fierce resolution.
"I'm not even sure, Hermione. But like I said…it doesn't matter anymore. I've forgotten all about that bloody bastard. To hell with Draco Malfoy."
In Hermione's deep confusion of the situation, she silently nodded. She didn't need the details to know that as Ginny tried to hard to make her words seem truthful, she was lying.
But Ginny believed herself, despite Hermione's thoughts. She knew the minute she'd stumbled back into the castle, dripping with rain and reeling with pain that she would do everything in her power to forget that Draco Malfoy had ever existed. She spent two days locked in her room, hating herself and damning him to hell. She realized how much time she had wasted on a hopeless soul, how many hours of her life had been given to him only to have them thrown back in her face. She'd cared for him, the sick bastard with his mocking scorn and heartless eyes. She would have given him her heart. She was so close, but she didn't even realize it. She was so close, but he didn't even realize it.
But it wasn't too late to start over. She was going to get her life back. She began by wrapping Hermione in a warm hug.
"I'll be downstairs in a few, alright?" She said as she released her and crawled out of bed. Her legs were shaky as if the feel of solid ground beneath her feet was foreign.
Hermione watched her slowly make her way to the washroom. After the door clicked behind her, she picked up the journal once again. Malfoy's face smiled back at her, though it came out somewhat lopsided and odd-looking, as if he wasn't quite used to the sensation yet. She felt her heart twinge, knowing who was responsible for that.
"Did you love him, Ginny?" She whispered to the darkness. In the picture, Draco's eyes lit up and his mouth opened with silent laughter as Ginny popped into the frame, holding the camera with one hand as she tried to crack the mold that was Draco's hair with the other.
"Do you love him…?" She touched her lips with her hand and set the book back down. Sighing, she walked towards the door and left Ginny's room in silence.
Leaning against the bathroom door, Ginny exhaled heavily once she heard her door click shut. She shoved off the cool wood and walked over to the three sink countertop. She ran the faucet and stared at the icy water as it splashed into the porcelain bowl. A shiver snuck down her spine, and she shook her head, dipping her hands into the chilling water.
She gasped from shock as she threw the cupped liquid over her face and massaged her temples; the rejuvenation ran through her veins like electricity. After she patted her face dry with a soft towel, she met her reflection for the first time in what seemed like years. Dull hazel eyes stared back at her, framed by tangled auburn hair and subdued freckles that stuck here and there as if hanging onto her sullen skin for dear life. With a sigh, she ran a comb roughly through her rebellious locks.
Well, Gin…looks like it's time for some damage control.
Frowning resolutely, she jammed the lock on the door into place and ran the shower. She wouldn't hide forever. She would learn to forget and she would learn how to live without Draco bloody Malfoy.
---------------------One month later----------------------------
"Hey! Have you seen her?"
"Aye, mate. She's changed quite a bit lately hasn't she? Bet she'd make a fine wizard outta me."
"Watch'er, Thompson. With that bloke of a brother she's got, you'd be lucky to lay a finger on her cloaks."
"That's not all I'd like to lay a finger on, if you know what I'm getting' at." The chubby sixth year chortled loudly and gestured suggestively with his hands exactly where he intended on violating the subject of nearly every young wizard's conversation at Hogwarts lately.
The two boys walking with him laughed along, until one of them sniffed.
"Oy…what's that burning? Reckon the houselves have finally revolted and they've got Snape in there preparing the dinner?" The trio laughed and rounded another corner.
The smell of smoke persisted however, until a squeal shook the corridor.
"BLOODY HELL! I'M ON FIRE!! I'M ON BLOODY FIRE!!"
Donald Thompson flailed around frantically, flinging his books onto the ground and making quite a show out of hopping up and down on tip-toes. The hem of his robes crackled as fire slowly crept up his legs. His two companions chuckled heartily, though obligingly leant him a hand in putting out the flames by beating his bouncing legs with their book bags.
"Ouch! You bloody gits! Watch where you're hittin', will ya?!"
The two shrugged and continued to beat his legs in with their belongings. A few fifth year Ravenclaws giggled as they passed, and the boys quit their assault on their inflamed friend to grin charmingly at them. The latter gasped and smacked them on the backs of their heads.
"Oy! Remember me, you morons? I'm the one ON FIRE!!! Bloody hell, what if I could DIE? I DON'T WANNA DIIIEEE!!"
Several meters behind them, Draco Malfoy was tucking his wand back into his robes and scowling deeply at the ground. Though he did feel somewhat satisfied at having scared the knickers off the kid, his fingers still itched to throw another good hex or two in his direction.
I've got to stop doing this… He attempted for the umpteenth time to convince himself of this, but just like in the past, he quickly reminded himself that he was merely doing his duties as a responsible prefect-to keep filth like perverted little Hufflepuffs in line and in their place. At least he'd been decent enough to give that one git last week the counter curse for his immaculately aimed shrinking hex. That had been more due to male obligations than sympathy, however, it did teach the boy never to ask girls to Hogsmeade ever again-at least in the hallways.
Where does that bloody girl get off acting as she does, anyways? He shook his head hard before storming into the Great Hall. He couldn't believe the way she strutted around, giggling around all of her obnoxious little friends, flipping that ruddy hair of hers like she had the right to or something, parading as if she was some type of, well…girl, or something.
And a beautiful one at that, Draco couldn't help but notice. The only part that got to him was that he wasn't the only one who had noticed a change in Ginny Weasley over the past few weeks. If he'd known that sending her away would have turned her into some sultry little bint with swinging hips and a vixen's grin, he would have sent her away just the same-only it would have been to a different school, an all girls school at that.
Draco plopped a portion of food onto his plate unceremoniously and dug in. Damn her! Just as he was tearing through a chicken leg, the very subject of his frustration sauntered right through the giant doors, flanked on either side by Harriet-what's-her-face and Jody-something-or-the-other. Draco didn't really care. He locked his eyes on her as she swished her little hips all the way to the Gryffindor table and took a seat next to-
"Thomas!" Draco inhaled and suddenly began gagging as the chicken lodged itself in his throat.
"Draco! Draco, what's the matter?!" Pansy rushed over to him and began beating his back frantically. "Drackie, what did you do?!" She pounded harder until Draco stopped pointing madly at his throat and a golf-ball sized lump of poultry flew across the table, landing with a splash in Goyle's pumpkin juice.
He glanced at the rippling juice in his goblet before picking it up and gulping it down in one swig. A grin appeared over his face as he grunted approval and dumped a forkful of chicken breast into Crabbe's juice before tipping his fat head back and downing the entire thing. With a loud belch, he rubbed his belly.
"Yum."
Draco wiped a hand over his mouth disgustedly and shook off Pansy as she fretted over every inch of him. He'd caused quite a scene it seemed and nearly every head was turned in his direction.
He looked around him, glaring into every snickering face or sympathetic frown until he locked his eyes with a pair of familiar hazel flames.
Ginny tore her eyes away from Malfoy's and concentrated hard on her plate of food. She noted with a flutter of her stomach that it was becoming easier with each day to do so-to pretend as if he never existed.
Dean rested a possessive arm around her shoulders, and she felt her insides cringe. She didn't have to look up to hear the retreating stomps of Draco's shoes as he stormed out of the Great Hall and out of sight. Biting her lip, Ginny shrugged off Dean's oppressive arm and ignored his scoff of disapproval.
A few seats over and across from them, Hermione twirled her fork into her mashed potatoes, catching the scene with careful speculation. Harry's hand nestled itself on to her knee and she wrapped her free one over it, giving it a squeeze.
Hang in there, Gin… She silently implored the younger girl. True, Ginny had been taking full advantage of the traits Mother Genetics had bestowed upon her lately; her hair was glossier and her cheeks flushed with a healthy glow even in the most dismal of atmospheres. But Hermione knew to look deeper than the charming smile and ready-at-will twinkling eyes that had been stealing the attention of countless boys for the past month.
She glanced at Harry briefly and offered him a small smile. His emerald eyes sparkled with the candles glittering in the massive room and he winked playfully at her. Hermione rolled her eyes and reached for her goblet. As she wrapped her fingers around it, another larger hand rested on top of her hers, and she flashed her gaze up to meet familiar blue eyes.
Ron's mouth upturned in a lopsided something-she couldn't call it a smile, though she was close to deeming it a grimace. He tore his fingers off of hers as if struck by lightening and quickly aimed for another goblet. Harry was completely oblivious to the scene, having been engaged in an animated conversation with a newly arrived Hagrid about the upcoming match against Slytherin.
Hermione's heart clenched at the cold eyes Ron had met her with. He still wouldn't speak to either of them, but Hermione could see the slow but sure glimpses of the old Ron every once in a while, whether it was in his gluttony or the way he'd bicker with her during classes (from his new seat across the room) over potion recipes or transfiguration techniques, just as he would have a month of ago over her nagging rituals or the frizziness of her hair. She grabbed onto those moments with all her might, praying that one day he would be completely back, and maybe their world would begin to turn steadily again for the three of them.
In a domino effect, heads turned down the Gryffindor table as Minerva McGonagall rushed speedily towards it, suddenly pausing in front of a certain familiar group.
"Ronald, Ginevra…please come with me." She nodded at them gravely and did not wait for either to follow before briskly exiting the Great Hall. Ron and Ginny exchanged worried glances before rushing after her, leaving curious eyes to watch.
In McGonagall's office, she leaned on her cane heavily and looked at them silently for a moment.
"Professor…what's going on?" Ginny uttered, noting the tired expression on the older woman's face.
McGonagall blinked a few times and then spoke. "I'm afraid that there was a raid at the ministry two nights ago. Arth-your father was the only one to make it out unscathed."
A hand flew to Ginny's mouth. "What? What happened? Where is he? He'll be alright, though, won't he?" She searched McGonagall's eyes desperately for answers. The latter merely held up a hand to silence her.
"It appears that three unidentified death eaters are on the prowl, fresh out of dementor territory and unwilling to take prisoners. So far their attacks have been unmerciful and unstoppable. Your father just barely escaped by Disapparition just before the trio sent up anti-Disapparating shields. Several others tried…unfortunately, most were either splinched or forced to remain and suffer their untimely-" She stopped abruptly, realizing who exactly she was speaking to. Ginny's eyes were horrified, and Ron's face was a mask of stone.
Ginny stared at her brother for what seemed like hours, biting back tears of relief that her father had been alright and aching to run home and hang on to him for dear life.
"I know that you must be reeling from this, but your parents have asked specifically for you to stay here where you are safe. Your mother should be sending word by owl in one or two days. I-" McGonagall had paused there, unable to go on as Ginny threw herself against her brother's chest, her own racking with sobs, and he wrapped comforting arms around his baby sister.
It would be hours at best before news of the raid broke through the school's protective stone walls. Ginny gasped into Ron's chest, never feeling so scared in all her life for her family. It had been the second attack on her father in less than a year-what if the next time he wasn't so fortunate?
McGonagall excused them to leave and sighed heavily against the door frame as they did so. That had been the third set of students this week she had had to break terrible news to. The eerie calm before the storm was finally being shattered. At least the Weasleys had been lucky enough not to lose someone completely.
"For now…" Minerva whispered hauntingly as she watched the two red heads retreat silently to their common room.
Later that night, the grandfather clock in Gryffindor's common room stroked twelve times as Ginny slipped through the portrait hole and out of sight; the need to escape was too great.
Ginny nearly sprinted down the changing stairs. Her breaths came out fast and labored, as if gravity was crushing her lungs. One more corridor… She chanted the phrase and rounded the last corner, then up a flight of winding stairs, past creeping shadows, up and up until finally she faced a familiar wooden door-the place she'd promised herself she would never go back to for fear that the memories held within it would be too much to bear.
Ginny carefully pushed the door open. As the hinges squeaked their disapproval at having been forced to move after so long, she wrapped her arms around herself and walked silently forward.
Craning her neck, she closed her eyes against the starry night and breathed the0 fresh air in slow gulps. In the middle of the room, the soft grass seemed to beckon her, and she fell to her knees upon it as if bowing to a throne, chin on her chest and hands flat on her knees. Eventually, her breaths became even again, and she curled up on the ground, face raised to the blinking beauties above her.
She'd needed to escape so badly from the world then, but the one person who had always been there to shield her way wasn't there now. She shuttered a sigh and squinted her eyes. She'd be damned if she was going to miss him now. Not after she'd been doing so well without him.
Gazing up at the sky, she quickly spotted the blinking body of Venus and a rebellious smile broke upon her face, bringing a memory fresh to her mind. Despite the fact that she was doing exactly what she had been fighting against for so long, Ginny could not contain the nostalgia that enveloped her mind as she allowed herself to remember.
****"A knut for your thoughts, Draco?" Ginny grinned and slid next to him on the ground as he lay on his back silently, staring at the simulated night sky.
Smirking, he answered. "For these? You're going to have to do better than a knut. Five galleons, Weasel, and not a piece less."
Ginny rolled her eyes and joined him. "Prat," she mumbled.
"I've been studying for an astronomy test next week," He explained, pointing a long finger towards the middle of the sky where a bright golden star blinked at them. "That one's Venus."
Ginny nodded silently. "Ever wished on a star before, Malfoy?" She skimmed the scenery for any such object, waiting for him to answer negatively.
Draco gave her a sideways glance. "Course I have, Weasley. But mine usually come true. For instance, the time when I wished I would get a bigger bedroom at my parent's estate. The old one was so small, that I could barely fit the 120 inch wireless in the hole. Mother had it taken care of the very next day."
Ginny rolled over onto her side and stared at him disbelievingly. "Give me a bloody break, Malfoy." She playfully shoved his shoulder until a smile snuck onto his face.
"What? What else would be worth wishing for? Oh," Draco laughed mockingly, "Let me guess. You've been wishing for some knight in shining armor to come and whisk you off to Never Never land, haven't you?"
Ginny ignored him and scoffed, "Of course not, you git." Suddenly her eyes lit up brightly with mischief, "I was wishing for the day when I could befriend the most unlikely prat ever to walk the face of the earth and teach him how to smile."
Draco faced her, narrowing his eyes. "What do you mean?" Ginny raised her eyebrows and reached out to tickle his sides. Immediately, Draco began to laugh, filling the room with his sonorous chuckles and sending a rush of butterflies loose in Ginny's stomach.
"Like that!" She giggled loudly, releasing her fingers from his sides. Still chuckling, Draco looked at her through dancing eyes of grey.
"Well, then I guess wishes do come true, Weaslette."
Ginny nodded, smiling still. She was so close that he could smell the natural scent of her skin, and his musky cologne made logic a bit harder for Ginny to grasp. Their fingers brushed against each other as they lay closely on their sides. Ginny rubbed her thumb over his knuckles, and he let her, drawing her hand closer to his chest. Nameless emotions raced through their eyes. Ginny's warm gaze faltered as his face drew nearer. She'd never wanted anything so badly in her life than to have his lips pressed against her own. Warm and comforting, not icy and heartless like the first time he'd tried.
Her eyes fluttered shut. Just a bit more…just one more inch. But it was not meant to be. A gentle creak crashed through the moment, tearing them apart as they scrambled into standing positions. Mrs. Norris' bright yellow eyes blinked at the two from the doorway and they both sighed in relief, though neither would admit that they were actually doing it out of frustration.
Draco ran a hand through his hair absently and looked at Ginny uncomfortably with a small smile.
"Keep wishing, Ginny. Maybe one day you will find your prince charming."
Ginny watched him leave silently, placing her hand over her heart. In that moment, a shooting star streaked across the sky overhead, but Ginny needn't have bothered wishing on it.
"Maybe, Draco…" She touched her lips gently, "Maybe I already have."****
In the present, a similar noise disrupted Ginny's thoughts, and she sprinted up from the ground in a flash, raising a hand defensively over her heart.
"Who's there…?" Ginny turned speculative eyes towards the doorway that was slightly ajar. The billow of cloaks startled her and the glint of platinum hair widened her eyes; two pale hands visible beneath black robes caused her to take a few steps back.
"You."
Draco shrugged nonchalantly, though his own heart was beating wildly.
"That's right, Weaslette. Me."
Ginny's stomach churned, and her knees felt weak as she prayed that he hadn't seen her laying there wishing he was with her. She had to get away.
"Leave me be, Draco." She implored him bitingly and turned her back against him, stalking over to a bench in the farthest corner of the room.
There was silence until she thought he'd finally left and turned around slowly. But he was still there, standing motionless and rigid as if moving was beyond his capabilities.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy? I thought this is what you wanted."
Draco shifted slightly and looked at the ground. He'd watched her for weeks now, seen her change, listened for her laughter in a hallway full of babbling students, searched for a fleck of auburn in a sea of blondes and brunettes, but now that he was face-to-face with her, he couldn't find anything to say. She was still in his mind just as she was that day, laced with rain, eyes wide and disbelieving.
His mind swam with things to say, to do, to make her forget he'd ever said what he'd said. Finally, Ginny could no longer take his silence and stormed across the room to face him, inches from his chest.
"What-do-you-want, Malfoy?" She spat in his face, eyes ablaze.
Draco met her gaze with a fierce one of his own, but as much as his lips fought to be opened and shout to her his soul, he kept them shut tightly, quivering in rebellion.
"Ginny…?"
They flashed their gazes towards the door at the same time. For the first time in…well…ever, Ginny was relieved to see Dean Thomas' clean-shaven face.
"Dean, erm, hello. I was just coming to look for you." Ginny smiled winsomely and walked over to the doorway to wrap an arm around his.
Draco felt something inside of him light with a burning rage he'd never experienced until the day he'd seen the very ingrate that now wrapped possessive arms around Ginny try to force himself on her five weeks prior.
Dean glared at Draco. "Has he been bothering you, Gin?"
Ginny shook her head slowly, "No. He was just lost is all. I hope you find your way back to where you belong, Malfoy." She laid heavy emphasis on where you belong, something Draco noticed easily.
He nodded numbly. Dean gave him another glare, but Draco couldn't bring himself to lash back at him or rip his face to shreds like every inch of him was eager to do. No…he wouldn't do that. The familiar part of his mind tingled to life, the one in which he had clung to before to send the girl before him away, and he grasped onto it now with all his might.
"Goodnight, Weasley. See you on the pitch this Saturday." And he brushed past them, refusing to look Ginny in the eye but willing to press upon Dean the vilest of sneers he could conjure. The latter shivered involuntarily and Draco smirked.
Once he'd left, Ginny felt like groaning in frustration. Now she was stuck with this bloody imbecile.
"I'm going back to bed, Dean. I only came here to look for my potions book, but I suppose it's back in my dorm. Goodnight."
Dean grabbed her wrist tightly, "I don't think Malfoy was lost, Ginny. I think he was looking for you. Stay away from him, will you?"
Ginny stared at him for a moment before tearing her arm from his grip. "I've told you before, Thomas. I can take care of myself."
"Just promise me you'll stay away from him, Gin." Dean looked at her through pleading blue eyes, "I don't fancy the way he looks at you sometimes…as if…well, like he wants you or something."
Ginny shook her head defiantly as if he were crazy, but inside her heart was jumping and her stomach was flipping.
"I'm serious, Gin. He's bad news, that Malfoy. He's got the dark mark coming to him one way or the other-Don't forget who his father is, Gin." He failed to note the glint spark in Ginny's eyes as he continued. "I've heard his mum's been shipped off to Mungo's already-too off her rocker to carry on without her precious Voldemort fodder of a husband." He chuckled briefly before Ginny slammed her fist against his chest to shove him away.
"And just what do you know, Dean? Have you ever spoken to him before? You must have spent hours or even days with him and his family to be able to know them all so bloody damn well, right?!" Ginny's eyes sparked at him, and he stepped back at her outburst.
"I-"
"I didn't think so!" Ginny shoved him out of her way and ran from the room. Where did he get off speaking about people like that, anyway? What did he know?
Nothing! Ginny stormed through the halls, ignorant of the shadow that followed her curiously. She stopped for breath near a window and leaned against the already frosty glass heavily. Her energy was spent.
As she stared out on the grounds, something caught her eye in the reflection. Familiar grey eyes stared back at her from around a corner. Not wanting to scare him away, Ginny casually lifted herself from her seat and made to retreat down the corridor once again. As she rounded the corner, she noticed a door ajar and slipped through.
"I know you're in here, Malfoy. Stop being such a bloody coward and come out."
The shadows stirred and Malfoy came up slowly behind her.
"Come to sniff me out, Weasel?"
Ginny gasped and whirled around to face him. "More like come to ask what you think you've been doing following me around lately. I thought you'd made yourself perfectly clear that you wanted nothing to do with me anymore."
Draco leaned against the all casually and shrugged. "I've no idea as to what you're going on about, Weasel. But I must ask that you don't flatter yourself." Draco frowned mockingly, "Oh, but do send my regards to your father. I bet he hid like a coward in his little rat hole of an office that day, didn't he? Is that how he made it out alive?"
"You unbelievable bastard," Ginny ground out. How could she have ever befriended such a slimy, horrible person? How could she have thought she…that she felt for him as more than just a friend? Had she really been willing to give him her heart? Had could she have been so thick? So naïve?
Draco advanced on her, continuing despite her declaration. "Do you think he begged the death eaters to let him live? To be able to go home to his miserable house and nagging wife? Or perhaps to spend another day in his worthless job, biding his time until he got his own?"
Ginny put everything she had into the slap that pummeled Draco's face. Her hand vibrated from the force of the blow, and Draco was sent reeling.
"Go to hell, Malfoy! Take your sorry, useless arse and burn until the demons can't even bear to look at your ugly, rotten face!" Her lips were quivering as she cried out in front of him. Tears of rage sparkled in the corners of her eyes; despise glared through the hazel depths.
But she would not feel sympathy for the person who had spoken so heartlessly to her. She didn't know this person. She hadn't befriended a cold, cruel Malfoy. And she wouldn't pity one either.
"Whatever you do, Malfoy," She walked towards him as he breathed deeply against the wall, hand pressed against his stinging cheek, "I advise you never to speak to me again. Don't come within fifty feet of me, my brother, or my friends, unless you want me to do things to you that your dearest daddy couldn't even dream of," She hissed at him, daring him to retaliate.
Draco merely stared at her and lifted himself up straight. In the darkness, the fire inside of Ginny burned beneath her skin and through her eyes. Draco clenched his fists and said nothing as she stalked past him and through the door. At the last moment she turned around once again, face masked by scorn.
"I'll see you at the match on Saturday, Malfoy. I do hope you've been practicing."
Draco watched her leave, and once he was certain she was gone, he sighed heavily and leaned against the wall once again, gingerly massaging his cheek.
Go on, Ginny. Hate me. Please…just hate me.
~~~~~~~~~~
Draco tore through another dark corridor; his shadow was swallowed by the inky walls as they stalked the grumbling slytherin as if he was prey. Once he'd barged through the Slytherin common room, not even noticing the figure who sat alone on one of the leather arm chairs, he stormed into his bedroom and threw himself at his massive, mahogany desk. Papers and ink wells went flying as he swept a furious arm across the surface, reveling in the sound of glass breaking.
A small gasp shook him from his rage, and he whirled around. Pansy stared at him from his doorway, brown eyes wide.
"Draco…?" She entered cautiously, stepping up to him still in her school uniform. She'd been waiting all night for him to return.
Draco glared at her. She considered turning, but the sight of him riled up and enraged sparked lust in her eyes. Perhaps her little dragon had come back again.
Sidling up next to him, she ran a pale hand over his cheek. Draco flinched at her touch but did not move. His chest heaved laboriously as she stroked the red hand-print that was still aching.
"My poor, little dragon…" Pansy whispered and craned her neck to lay a soft kiss on his cheek. Draco closed his eyes, feeling something inside of him urge him to respond to her soft caresses. When he opened them again, he saw the want burning in her gaze, the ever-present will to please, the piteous need to serve him.
Pansy rubbed his shoulders tenderly and stepped back to close the door softly. When she came up to him again, the sudden rumble of thunder shook the window sill, and she gasped. A gentle sneer formed on her face and she laughed. "Remember our first time, Draco?" She whispered against his ear, nibbling on his lobe seductively.
Draco reached up to push her away, but his hands stopped on her forearms as she wrapped her own around his neck and trailed heated kisses down the side of his throat.
"I was so scared…all alone in the common room…it had been storming for hours…" She paused and captured his lips with her own. "But you came then…you led me here…"
Draco closed his eyes again and replayed the scene through his mind. They had both been virgins.
"I want to relive that night, Draco…please, let's just forget about the past few months." She urged him with her eager lips to comply. Stepping back, she began to unbutton her shirt until she was standing before him just as she had nearly a year ago, half naked and wholly willing.
Draco stared at her blankly, though his body ached for her touch again. It had been so long… Would it really hurt to have her again?
Pansy walked over to his bedside table and made quick work of putting out the lamp. Encased by darkness, she walked over to him and eased him onto his satin sheets, straddling his waist with her legs.
"I've missed you, Dragon…tell me you've missed me, too…" She leaned over his chest and removed his white oxford expertly. Before he responded, she began planting kisses all over his bare chest.
"Tell me, little dragon…tell me how you've missed my touch…" She sucked the skin over the top of his black pants and began to unclasp the belt.
Draco inhaled as she unzipped them and explored the evidence of his raging emotions.
This isn't right…Draco's mind screamed.
He tried to tell her to get off of him, but a groan left his lips instead as she slipped his boxers down.
"I-" He grunted and reached for the top of her head. But instead of pushing her mouth farther down his erection, he shoved it back. "I can't, Pansy."
"What?" Pansy sat back and searched his eyes inquisitively. "You're not serious, are you, Draco?"
He only lifted her off of his hips and stood up rapidly, pulling up his pants in the process.
"Leave."
Pansy crawled to the edge of the bed but did not get off. "Draco…what's the matter with you? Look at me!" She cried and pulled his arm to make him face her. When he did, his eyes were dark and pained.
"There's someone else, isn't there?" She uttered the question more to herself than to him. When he made no reply, she lowered her gaze. "I suppose the rumors are true then…" She crawled off of the cool sheets and retrieved her clothing.
Draco watched her dress and walk towards the door silently. As she turned the door knob, Pansy turned back to him.
"I do hope you know what you're doing, Draco, because I know the secret that you're hiding, and you know what the consequences of your actions will be."
Draco narrowed his eyes at her as she left. Her declaration was startling, but he couldn't quite understand it completely. Sighing, he plopped down onto his bed and rested his head in his hands. In the back of his mind, an angelic face filtered into his thoughts. With a growl, he threw himself onto his sheets and stuffed his face in a pillow.
As Ginny's face refused to leave, he finally knew what Pansy had meant. And the repercussions would be dire. Thunder roared over his thoughts until he was finally sent into a fitful sleep, marked by dark shadows and winds made of fire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Somewhere in a place vermin wouldn't even dare reside, a wizard clothed in black bowed before a towering figure. A wave of glinting silver hair fanned out over his bowed head as he knelt before his master.
"My Lord…he is aware of his fate."
"But is he willing, Luciusss?"
"My son has been preparing for this moment his entire life. He is eager to receive the same honor that you have bestowed upon me, my Lord."
"And the woman? Have you taken care of her?"
"She is of no threat to us, my Lord. I've had her sent away to northern Europe."
"Luciusss, you wouldn't be…protecting her…would you?"
The bowing man tensed slightly but did not miss a beat. "I am merely keeping a threat to my son's future at bay until he has fulfilled his destiny."
"I ssseee…and when will my newest follower be arriving?"
"In December, my Lord."
"Excellent, Luciusss. You have served me well."
"Thank you, my Lord. It is and will always be my privilege to serve."
"Of course…as it is mine to give orders." A menacing chuckle filled the air, making the hairs on Lucius' neck stand on end. The Dark Lord bent back his head, revealing a face unfit to see the light of day as he laughed sinisterly.
On his knees, Lucius Malfoy slowly grinned. Soon…so very soon, Draco. You will join me.
In his bed, tangled in linen, Draco cringed and subconsciously coiled a hand around his forearm protectively. The storm raged on outside even as the sun attempted to rise, and Voldemort laughed on, mocking the new day as it approached.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AN: Ta Da! I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews are encouraged and MUCHLY appreciated! The end is drawing nearer. Hehe…ciao!
~Adrial~