Chapter 12 Troubled
For the last week and a half, Ginny had endured suspicious looks from normally friendly people, and outright nastiness from the Slytherins. She longed to be able to spend more time with Draco, but this was increasingly difficult with the Slytherins dogging him much of the time.
When a tawny owl flew into the Great Hall with a large parcel yesterday morning, Ginny knew immediately that her dress robes had arrived from Fred and George. She hurried delightedly with the box up to her dorm room. Placing the package on her bed, she eagerly unwrapped it, and gave a small gasp as she folded back the tissue paper.
Ginny lifted out a sleeveless velvet robe, the color of sage. Also in the box, made of the same material, was a pair of long gloves, and a wrapper with a satin lining of the same sage color. A chain of leaves and vines embroidered with gold thread wove its way around the neckline and hem of the robe as well as the edges of the wrapper. A dainty hairpiece of the same golden leaves and vines pattern was nestled in the material. Underneath everything, Ginny found some silk stockings and a pair of golden shoes, the same color as the embroidery.
"Oh…" she breathed as tears sprung to her eyes. She hugged the robes gently to herself, and danced a few steps as the material flowed around her.
"Wow…" breathed Hermione, who was standing in the doorway.
Ginny looked at her, smiling. "Fred and George picked this out for me for the Christmas Dance."
"I think I'll take them shopping with me next time I need something," Hermione smiled, reaching out to touch the fine material. "It's lovely and you'll look absolutely beautiful."
"Thanks," Ginny blushed. "I'd better hang this up before it wrinkles."
Ginny turned back to Hermione, hesitating. "Can I show you something else?"
"Of course."
Ginny reached in her trunk, and retrieved a small box.
"This is what I got for Draco for Christmas." Ginny opened the box, and pulled out a silver chain with a flat shiny part in the middle of it and handed it to Hermione. "I owled an order to that little jewelry shop in Hogsmeade."
" `My Heart' " read Hermione from the shiny part. She looked up at Ginny and after a long moment, asked softly, "Do you love him?"
Ginny nodded.
Hermione, trying to hide her anxious feelings, hugged her. "I know he'll love it."
"Thanks, Hermione. Thanks for everything…"
"Of course." Hermione smiled, hoping inwardly for Ginny's happiness to continue.
vvvvvvvvv
Thursday afternoon, Ginny was waiting in the cold at the Astronomy Tower for Draco. She had sent a note that morning asking him to meet her. She heard the door creak slowly open and turned to see Draco striding toward her, his hair streaming in the wind. He reached in his robes and pulled out his wand. His eyes never left hers as he aimed his wand back over his shoulder and sealed the door.
Draco reached Ginny and hauled her to himself crushing her lips with his. Ginny wound her arms around him pressing into his embrace, molding herself against him, wanting to be even closer. She felt Draco reciprocate and wondered if they could ever be close enough.
"Ginny…" Draco said raggedly, after their kisses ended. "I've been waiting for this..."
"Me, too," she breathed.
Draco cupped her face in his hands, and Ginny covered his hands with hers. He leaned his forehead on hers, their eyes locked, as they drank each other in. Ginny thought she could have slipped into those gray pools and drowned without ever once wanting to be rescued.
"I have something for you…" Ginny said, breaking the silence, as she reached into her cloak and brought out the small box that she had wrapped in silver paper with a scarlet bow. "Merry Christmas," she smiled shyly at him.
"Here's a coincidence," Draco smiled back. "I have something for you, too."
He pulled a small box from the folds of his cloak that was wrapped in gold paper with a dark green bow and handed it to Ginny. "You first."
Ginny handed him her gift and took his in her hands. She gently unwrapped the paper and opened the box. "Draco…it's lovely!" Ginny breathed as she pulled out a fine gold chain with a heart pendant dangling from it. "Always," she read the inscription. Ginny gazed at Draco, tears in her eyes.
"Do you like it?" Draco asked uncertainly.
Ginny threw her arms around his neck. "It's beautiful…thank you so much!" She turned around and handed the necklace to Draco. "Put it on me?"
He smiled as he fumbled with the clasp finally getting it through the loop. He lifted her hair over the chain. "There," he said softly, turning her. "Let me see."
Ginny turned around to him smiling. "What do you think?"
"Beautiful," Draco said lowering his lips to hers.
"Okay, now you," Ginny said, eagerly bouncing just a bit.
Draco pulled the bow and paper from his box and lifted the lid. He drew out the chain and read the inscription. Draco's eyes met Ginny's in wonder. "Really?" he whispered.
"Yes…I love you, Draco," Ginny said softly.
The look in Draco's eyes transformed from hopeful doubt to joy. "That's the best present of all." He breathed, as he gathered her to him, and kissed her tenderly. "I love you, too."
"Put it on me?" He handed her his necklace, and stooped down to allow her to reach more easily.
"Do you like it?" Ginny asked hopefully.
"More than anything else you could have given me. I'll never take it off." Draco folded her in his arms, and she leaned her head into his chest.
Ginny smiled. "I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night."
"Can't wait. I'll be with the most beautiful girl." Draco's voice didn't betray the cloud that passed over his eyes.
Ginny looked out over the tower wall and gave a small gasp. "Look, Draco, it's starting to snow!"
They stood wrapped in each other's arms for a while, watching the grounds transform as the large flakes formed a sparkling blanket around them.
vvvvvv
The next day, the girls awoke giggling with excitement for the dance that night. As Ginny lazed in bed trying to talk herself into getting up, her fingers found the heart around her neck and she smiled. Ginny dressed quickly and headed down to breakfast hoping to see Draco there. She was about halfway down to the Great Hall when she heard, "Weasley!"
Turning, Ginny saw Pansy Parkinson sauntering up to her.
"What do you want?" Ginny returned shortly.
Pansy smiled slyly. "I hear you and Draco are…close these days."
"And if we are?"
Pansy looked amused. "You aren't the first, you know."
"I don't see what you're getting at Pansy."
"Draco has…shall we say…a great appreciation for," Pansy looked at her appraisingly, "girls."
Pansy went on. "He can be very sweet when he wants something."
Ginny was silent.
"I suppose he's told you he loves you."
"That's really none of your business."
"It doesn't really matter anyway. He may be enjoying his…time with you right now, but he'll come back to me eventually. Always does." Pansy smirked. "Nice necklace. See you at the dance." And she strolled away.
Ginny turned back toward the Great Hall, seething inside. `That cow!' Ginny straightened her back and walked into breakfast. She saw Harry and Ron eating and went to join them at the Gryffindor table.
"Where's Hermione?" Ginny asked.
"She's already eaten and gone back to the dorm for her books." Harry replied.
"So, I'm assuming you and Hermione are going to the dance together?" Ginny asked.
Harry nodded, his cheeks turning slightly pink.
"Did you ask someone, Ron?" Ginny turned to see his ears going a shade redder.
"Er…I asked Luna and she said `yes'," Ron replied hesitantly.
"That's great! We'll have a good time, then."
"You're still going with Draco?" Ron asked.
"Yes. I can't wait for you to see the dress robes Fred and George sent me…I sold my soul to them for the summer to pay them back."
"Do they know who you're going with?" Harry looked at Ginny.
"Erm…no. They didn't ask, and I didn't think it was a good idea to tell them." Ginny felt a little guilty. "What they don't know won't hurt them."
"Speaking of that," Ron began, "I overheard some of the Slytherins talking this morning…it wasn't nice." Ron's gaze was sharp. "They seemed to think that Draco's…well, that Draco's just winding you up. So please, just be careful…"
Ginny's hand went to her throat and felt the golden heart. "Don't worry, Ron. I am." Ginny stood up. "I need to get going to class. Thank goodness they cancelled the afternoon ones for today. See you later."
vvvvvvvvvv
Ginny didn't see Draco for the rest of the day, but the Slytherins she met in her classes and in the halls seemed even nastier than usual, if that was possible. She endured many smirks and leers from the males, as well as whispers and malicious giggles from the Slytherin girls. Some had even bumped into her on purpose, and she was feeling a little bruised and battered by the time she got back to Gryffindor Tower.
When she got to her room, the headache that she had felt building all day was a thorny thing in her head. She lay down to take a quick nap.
Ginny awoke an hour later feeling a little better and got up to take a bath. She scented the water with spicy rose, and slipped into the warm pink bubbles with a sigh of pleasure. She soaked, feeling her muscles loosen and the worry of the day begin to slide away. `Cheer up!' she chided herself. `You've been looking forward to this, and you're going to have lovely time.'
Ginny finally talked herself into getting out of the wonderful water. She dried off and, wrapping the towel around her, began to dry and arrange her hair. She curled it and pulled it the curls mostly up on her head with a few tendrils falling softly to frame her face. Ginny applied a little make up for color, and stood back to observe the effect. She smiled at herself, pleased.
Ginny made her way back to her room, and began to carefully change into her dress robes. She smoothed her hands over the lovely material, and surveyed herself in the mirror. `Ready?' she asked herself and nodded in reply.
She was due to meet Draco outside the portrait hole in a few minutes, so she made her way downstairs to the common room. She spotted Harry waiting with Ron for Hermione. They both saw her at the same time and gaped.
"Wow," said Ron standing up to greet her, "Fred and George really outdid themselves. You look fantastic!"
"Brilliant," Harry smiled at her as he too, got to his feet.
"Thanks," Ginny said, blushing. "Where's Hermione?"
Harry's eyes lifted toward the girl's stairway, and breathed, "Here she comes now."
Ginny turned as Hermione descended the steps in lovely satin robes the color of Harry's eyes, with small crystal sparkles twinkling from the folds. Hermione's hair was also pulled up for the event, sparkling with small crystal combs.
Ginny saw Harry's eyes shine, as he said almost shyly, "You're beautiful, Hermione." He handed her some rose buds surrounded by baby's breath.
Hermione's cheeks blossomed, and she replied, "Thanks, Harry. You look really handsome, yourself."
The four made their way out of the portrait hole, and found Draco waiting for Ginny.
Ron and Harry nodded at Draco, and he inclined his head to them slightly, as they headed toward the Ravenclaw dorm to get Luna.
Draco's eyes found Ginny's and he reached for her hand. "You look absolutely beautiful," he said softly, as he presented Ginny with a single red rose.
"Thanks," she smiled at him. "You look very handsome, too."
Draco smiled in return, but Ginny noticed that his smile didn't seem to reach his eyes. She mentally shook it off and chalked it up to nervousness.
"Ready?" He asked her, offering his arm.
She nodded, and slipped her hand into the warm crook of his elbow.
*********
"Oh!" Ginny gasped, as she saw the lovely Christmas decorations in the Great Hall.
Snowflakes were drifting from the enchanted ceiling, sparkling in the candlelight. Twelve Christmas trees, adorned with gold and silver ribbon, lined each wall and were lighted by waltzing fairies.
Ginny looked to the front of the Great Hall and saw the band set up where the professor's table usually sat. To one side was a table with refreshments.
"Wow," Ginny said smiling up at Draco. "It's beautiful!"
He nodded, seeming a bit preoccupied as he glanced around.
Just then, Ginny saw Ron and Luna enter followed by Hermione and Harry. She was pleased to see Ron's quick smile, as he responded to Luna's obvious delight with the decorations. Luna glowed in dress robes of shimmering silver. She had left her long blond hair to flow down her back in spiraling curls. Tiny silver sparkles in her hair caught the candlelight when she moved.
Ginny saw Ron ask Luna to dance, and she nodded shyly. Harry and Hermione followed them to the dance floor in the middle of the Hall.
"Draco, would you like to dance?" Ginny looked up hopefully.
Draco nodded, took Ginny's hand and led her to the dance floor.
She put her arms around him. "I'm glad to be here with you."
"Me, too," Draco responded with a smile that again didn't seem to reach his eyes, which she noticed were scanning the room.
Ginny glanced around to see a few stares aimed in their direction, along with some not so friendly grins. She saw Pansy look their way, then whisper to Warrington. He turned, caught Ginny's eye and smirked. Ginny turned, and spotted Crabbe and Goyle seated close to the refreshment table. They were also watching Ginny and Draco intently. Ginny felt as though something was skittering up her spine.
"Is everything alright, Draco?" The song was coming to a close.
"Yeah," he said distractedly, apparently scanning the room. "Would you like something to drink?" His eyes flickered back to hers.
"Yes, please. I'm going over there and speak to Ron," Ginny tilted her head towards her brother. "See you in a minute."
Ginny could see Ron and Luna standing to the side and talking. Luna was gazing at Ron with a dreamy expression and nodding her head in response, while Ron talked, gesturing animatedly with his hands.
"Ron!" Ginny hailed him.
He looked up, smiled, and motioned her over.
"You're gown is beautiful, Luna!" Ginny said giving her a quick hug. "Are you guys having a good time?"
Both nodded, Ron's ears going pink.
"Where's Draco?" Ron asked, looking behind Ginny.
"He went to get us something to drink."
Harry and Hermione joined them, carrying cups of pumpkin juice.
"Hi," smiled Ginny. "Enjoying yourselves?"
Hermione nodded. "I love the way they decorated the hall, and the snow is a lovely touch. Where's Draco?"
"Well, he was getting some pumpkin juice for us…you didn't happen to see him when you got yours, did you?" Ginny turned to scan the room. "I'd better go and find him. See you later!"
Ginny began to walk toward the refreshment table, which had a small crowd gathered round it.
"Weasley!" a female voice trilled.
Ginny turned in the direction of the dance floor, where the voice had come from. Her footsteps stilled. Ginny's eyes spotted Draco not far away…with his arms around Pansy, smiling coldly at her.
"See, he knows where he belongs," Pansy smirked as she leaned into Draco's embrace.
"Draco?" Ginny began in confusion, but his eyes were flinty as he returned her gaze.
Pansy widened her eyes at Ginny in mock pity. "Weasley…you didn't think…aww, you did! How sweet…" Pansy smiled maliciously as she turned back to Draco and said in a sickly sweet voice. "She thought you loved her. You know…forever and always," she turned glittering eyes back to Ginny. "Right, Weasley?"
"I-" Ginny gaped at Draco, gasping, as her mind tried to take this in through the dizziness that was beginning to overtake her.
"Let's just say, I've enjoyed you, Red, but it's gotten old. Time to move on." Draco smiled derisively and turned his gaze back to Pansy.
Ginny took an unsteady step backwards, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene before her. "No…" She whispered, as she heard some of the other Slytherins begin to laugh.
The Great Hall's floor began to spin slowly as a roaring noise began to build in Ginny's head. The room began to fade in front of her, and she thought she heard Ron's voice calling her name. Her legs began to feel wobbly, and then came blessed darkness.
*********
Ginny could hear voices whispering around her.
"Poor thing…that evil git!"
"Do you think she hit her head?"
"She would have, if Neville hadn't reached her before she reached the ground."
She realized she was being carried, and opened her eyes slightly. `What's going on? Why is Ron carrying me?' Then a memory, a terrible vision, sprang up in her mind. `No!' Ginny began to cry.
"Shhh," Ron whispered softly. "I've got you now. We're almost to the portrait hole."
Ginny heard Harry say the password, and felt Ron step through with help from Harry. She felt herself being carried to a far corner of the room before Ron sat down with her on a couch. Ginny felt the couch cushions give again, and assumed Harry and Hermione were there, too.
Ginny turned her face into her brother's chest, and unleashed the wail that had been sliding mercilessly up her throat. Sobs wracked her body, and Ron rocked her in his lap.
"I-I loved him…" she couldn't continue.
"I know…I'm sorry, Gin," Ron's voice broke.
Ginny could hear sniffling, and looked around to see Hermione's tear streaked face and Harry's bright eyes.
"H-How could I have been so w-wrong?" Ginny sobbed to Hermione.
Hermione shook her head sadly and reached to hold Ginny's hand.
Ron held her awhile longer, until her sobs quieted. Ginny heard him say, "Can you hold on to her a moment? I need to take care of something."
Ginny made a protesting noise, as she felt him slide her off his lap and get up. She felt arms come comfortingly around her, and her head rested on Hermione's shoulder. In her anguish, Ginny had the sensation of feeling oddly disconnected from the physical world around her, and her mind drifting dazedly. She heard the fire blaze up, and to her confusion heard Fred's voice as she glided out of consciousness.
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