Breaking The Habit
By: Anti Darth Ani
Chapter Seven: The Battles
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-past-Dean-
"God, Gin. You look amazing," Dean told her breathlessly. He loosened his tie slightly as his eyes traveled down her body. Ginny shrugged, feeling uncomfortable with the attention he gave her. "Can we just go?" she asked, pushing some of her stubborn hair out of her eyes. "Hermione and Harry are waiting in the Great Hall for us."
"It's not good to show up late for the Yule Ball, I guess," Dean added as he took her arm in his. Ginny didn't even bother with a response. The sooner they got there, the sooner they could leave. And when she entered the Great Hall, she planned to get lost in the crowd for the night. She would apologize to Dean in the morning. But she wouldn't feel guilty about it, because she knew he'd have more fun without her as well.
I look `amazing' because he hopes to get lucky tonight, Ginny reminded herself, following his lead down the hallway among other couples. Happier couples. He really doesn't get that no means no. Ginny shook her head to herself, feeling her hair bounce with the movement. She refused to let the night be a bad one, no matter who took her to the dance. She'd find someone else to spend the night with once she got there. Then tomorrow she would suggest that they see other people or something of equal proportions.
The Great Hall looked great, she had to admit when they arrived. The lights twinkled and floated in the air. Teachers put a charm on everyone who walked into the room so that when they started to dance, they rose a few inches into the air while mist covered the entire floor. Brings a new meaning to `walking on clouds', Ginny thought to herself, looking for any of her friends - anyone she knew at all would be good.
But when she didn't see anyone she knew, she followed Dean. Of course, finding anyone she knew at the Yule Ball was going to be a challenge, since it was a masquerade ball and everyone was wearing elegant clothing and masks. No one wants to make this break-up situation easy on me, do they? Ginny complained, shooting a glare at the person who had just bumped into her.
This is going to be one hell of a night, Ginny told herself sitting down across the table from Dean, next to a girl Ginny assumed was a Gryffindor as well. No way of being sure of anything in this place. Her leg bounced up and down with anxiety, hoping for someone to ask her to a dance. Anyone at all. But as Harry, who had pulled his mask onto the top of his head in order to see better, placed a Butterbeer in front of her, Ginny sighed, bringing the glass to her lips and drinking the entire drink without stopping. She was going to end up getting severely drunk by the end of the night at this pace.
Don't want that, Ginny reminded herself. Don't want to make it easier for Dean to get what he wants. Want to make it harder. Much harder. Thoughts ran through her head at top speed. Anything to keep her mind off the guy across the table from her that kept staring at her.
Harry was the first guy to ask her to dance. Ginny took his hand as soon as he stretched it out to her. Finally, something went right for her. She followed him out onto the floor as he pulled his mask back down his face. They found the perfect spot on the dance floor and Harry pulled her close, but not too close, and they danced to a slow song. Ginny giggled when she felt herself being pulled off of the floor. When she looked down between their bodies, she couldn't even see the floor under them that disappeared into the mist as they rose a little further into the air.
Resting her chin on his shoulder, she watched over his back at other couples rising into the air as well. Everything seemed so magical and yet, Ginny couldn't help but feel miserable. Everyone filled the hall with joy, yet Ginny felt below them all. Like she was grounded on Earth, watching everyone else have a good time above her.
Harry pushed her out gently and twirled her under his arm. Her charmed brown, wavy hair framed her face as she spun around. As Harry pulled her back, Ginny promised herself she'd forget about Dean for the night. She'd worry about him again in the morning.
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-past-post Draco-
"Don't be like this!" Ginny begged, pushing through the portrait of the Fat Lady and chasing him down the hallway. He didn't stop, or even slow down a little. Ginny's feet pounded against the concrete floor as she raced after him. "Stop running away from me!" she begged as she got closer.
Finally, she managed to jog in front of him, freezing as soon as her eyes made contact with his. "You don't have to be like everyone expects you to be, you know. It wouldn't kill you to prove them wrong."
Draco tried to step around her, but Ginny moved quickly to stand in his way again. She shoved her hair out of her face, the red locks tangled and knotted from the night before. Draco lowered his face down until it stayed only an inch away from hers. "Move," he hissed through bared teeth.
Ginny stood her ground stubbornly. She reached into the pocket of her coat she'd thrown on quickly, pulling out the chain. She held out his necklace with the pendant dangling from it. Draco glanced from her eyes to her hand, quickly snatching up the chain and pulling it forcefully over his head. He proceeded by tucking it securely under his shirt, hiding it from prying eyes.
"Nothing's changed," he told her and Ginny nodded slowly. She wanted to reach out to him, to touch his cheek with her fingers to know if his body held any warmth, but she just couldn't. Merry Christmas to me, Ginny thought sarcastically to herself. "I really don't understand you, Malfoy," she whispered. "You're so…. bipolar. Half the time you're jumping my bones and the other half it hurts you to just touch me. Why? Because of my family? Because I'm poor?"
"Because you're so fucking annoying," Draco spat, but Ginny knew it was the closest to a compliment as she was going to get from him. Ginny smirked that evil little smirk he'd taught her so well over the past few months. His lips inched closer to her skin and Ginny angled her head back to allow him access to her neck, which he loved the most. Ginny moaned softly when his mouth reached her neck, his hand resting on the small of her back, halfway under her shirt and halfway exposed to the air of the hallway.
Ginny rested a hand on his shoulder, grinning like mad. She always got him to come back to her, no matter what. Sometimes it took him a little longer to come around, but he always came. "You are getting soft on-," she whispered against his ear.
She never finished the sentence because while she talked, Hermione Granger appeared through the portrait hole. Now, she stood rooted to the floor, shocked at the display of Ginny and Draco. Ginny tried to push him away softly, but he continued his attack on her neck, making his way to her shoulder. "Draco," she struggled with his name, desperately trying to push him away before another Gryffindor could catch them.
Draco pulled away, an evil glare on his face. Ginny cleared her throat and Draco turned his head halfway around until his could see Hermione. "Filthy Mudbloods," he mumbled, stepping past Ginny and heading down the hallway towards his common room, pulling his robes straight as he walked. Ginny rubbed at the spot he had been kissing as she took a step closer to her friend, "Hermione…"
Hermione shook her head, taking a step back. Her eyes were wide with confusion and disbelief. "Hermione, please," Ginny begged, getting closer to the other girl, "you can't tell Ron." A few tears threatened to spill from her eyes. "He'll absolutely kill me. Or Dean. Or Harry," Ginny stopped in mid-sentence. "You really need to just keep this between the two of us."
Hermione shook her head, just barely. "I…I…I…" she couldn't form a complete sentence. Ginny's heart sank, knowing she's been foolish for chasing him out of the Gryffindor common room. Even more stupid to let him kiss her in plain sight. When did she become so careless? Or when did he become careless as well? Such a mistake.
Hermione turned around and walked back into the common room. Ginny followed quickly on her heels, about to tell her how important it was to keep it a secret, when she saw Ron and Harry standing in the middle of the common room, surrounding by Christmas presents and smiling like mad. Hermione went and stood next to Harry and refused to catch Ginny's eye.
Ginny watched her, even as Dean looped his arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground and twirling her around in a circle. "Merry Christmas, Ginny!" he exclaimed, setting her back down before lowering his lips to hers. She couldn't enjoy any of it. The look on Hermione's face when she walked out of the portrait flashed through Ginny's head repeatedly. Ginny groaned inwardly, knowing it was going to be a long day.
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-present-
It's not the same anymore, she thought to herself, turning over onto her side and staring at the plain, white wall. He's so different and yet I still get sucked in. She chided herself for being such a pushover. Yet, her bed felt so empty without him next to her. Have it once and you'll always want to keep it, her mother's word echoed through her head. Ginny couldn't remember what her mother had been talking about, but now it didn't seem relative. The idea behind the words were the important part. I had him here in my room and now I want to keep him here. Forever…
Ginny groaned, pulling a pillow over her head, trying to block out the sound of rain and extra thoughts. She had a family who loved her, a brother who wanted nothing more than to protect her, and friends who would go to the ends of the world for her. But it's not enough anymore, she told herself, shifting in the bed again. Nothing's enough except him. Him inside of me. "What were you going to tell me?" she whispered out loud, knowing no one would hear her. "That you love me? Or you loathe me? Or did you plan on not saying anything because you want me to go bloody mad."
Ginny pulled her knees up closer to her chest for more body warmth. "You love watching me hurt, don't you?" she asked allowed, on the verge of tears. "You want me to fail your fucking test just so you can throw it back in my face whenever you're not perfect."
"I'm always perfect."
I didn't say that. Ginny winced, already recognizing the voice. She pulled the pillow away from her head slowly, daring to open her eyes to look at the slim figure leaning against the wall. "Stay out of my mind, Malfoy," she complained, rolling over to face away from him. She hated the way his gray eyes stared straight into her soul. She couldn't hide anything for him, no matter how hard she tried. "And you're not always perfect," she threw back as an afterthought, knowing it would get him worked up, the way it always did when she didn't completely agree with him.
He didn't answer her, which confused Ginny, but she refused to turn around to look at him. She considered that as defeat and she wouldn't let him control her anymore. Sure, he'd control her body as long as he kept up their usual routine, but she wouldn't give him her mind. Her heart. When he still didn't say a word, Ginny wrinkled up her noise. Leave it to Malfoy to make me cave. Like I really care if he's bloody perfect.
Ginny rolled over so she faced the ceiling. She saw him standing at the foot of her bed, his arms crossed over his chest. He tapped his foot in mock annoyance, and Ginny knew he didn't mean it. "I don't care if you're perfect," Ginny whispered, locking eyes with him.
Draco unraveled his arms, leaning one knee onto the bed and resting his hands palm down on the sheets by her feet. "I do," he whispered back, causing Ginny to unintentionally shiver. Ginny tried to suppress a moan when he crawled onto the bed, stalking over her body until his face hovered above hers. "I have to be perfect, Gin," he whispered, dipping his head down low to kiss her chin.
Ginny's eyes fluttered close as soon as his lips made contact with her skin. No fair… Ginny thought about his power to manipulate her body so well. She knew very well what they would be doing for the rest of the day and most likely into the night. "Don't leave this time," she begged softly as his lips brushed against hers before he sealed the deal, crushing his lips against hers. Ginny instinctively opened her mouth, her tongue creating a hot and heavy chase with his. He pulled her bottom lip into his mouth, biting it sharply, causing Ginny to moan, arching up into his body.
God, his wonderful body, Ginny thought, her numb fingers wanting to touch every part of him. It had been at least a week since the last time she'd been with him. They could do all the foreplay later, after she felt him inside of her again. Instead of trailing her fingers over his chest and back, she made them stay on the mattress by her sides. He gets to be in control, she demanded of herself. At least for now.
He rested most of his weight on his knees, allowing himself to use his hands to undress her, instead of for balance. His hands found their way under her t-shirt, riding it up as his fingers traveled up the smooth skin of her sides. His mouth refused to resign its fight with hers, his tongue driving her wild as he dropped her bottom lip to run his tongue over her perfect, white teeth. Ginny moaned again, shifting under him trying to get him to hurry. Couldn't he tell how much she needed him? Now???
He broke away just long enough to finishing pulling her shirt up and over her head. He quickly pulled his own off before capturing her mouth again hungrily. His hands instantly went to her pants' zipper. Ginny's hands gripped a fistful of sheets in order to stop them from clutching to his hair. Control is everything, Ginny reminded herself, arching her back up off the bed and pressing her breasts into his muscular chest. Knew it was a good idea not to bother with a bra today.
After what seemed like forever to Ginny, he'd finally undressed both of them. He slid under the covers with her, loving the feel of her sheets on his bare back. Ginny forced herself not to touch him. He wanted control and dammit, she was going to give it to him, no matter what. His mouth abandoned hers, traveling down the valley between her breasts to her stomach. He dipped his tongue into her navel, causing Ginny to shudder with want.
"Later," she whispered, meaning the exploration of her body. He could do all of that and so much more later. She just needed him now. And he knew that. He just insisted on torturing her. As if disappearing for almost a week hadn't been enough to drive her up the walls.
Finally, his lips found hers again. He ran his hands up her sides before letting them hit the mattress. They traveled under her arms, one resting just under her body, between her neck and her back, while the other grabbed a handful of sheet under her pillow. He slowly let himself drop onto her, his knees letting go of the support while his legs pushed her legs further apart. Ginny moaned against his mouth. He used his hand to press her body up flush against him and she willingly agreed, helping him out.
And before she knew it, he was inside of her. Taken off guard and quite surprised, Ginny grunted against his mouth. It didn't even surprise her anymore that it didn't hurt when he entered her. Just as quickly as he was in he came out. Before she could complain, he went back inside, with quick, deep plunges.
She'd let him control the situation long enough. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer and making his thrusts even harder and deeper, more desperate than ever. She knew he felt the same way as she did. She rested her hands on his waist, pulling his hips even closer to hers. She had to have him like she'd never had him before. Not no one ever had or ever could again. He had to be hers.
His lips left her to go back to her neck. Ginny threw her head back against the pillow, panting painfully while he continued quicker. "Draco…." she drew out his name, making him listen to her. "Now…" she begged, matching him thrust for thrust.
Driven by the way she begged, Draco gave one more hard push and they both released at the exact same moment, Ginny screaming him name while he managed to not say a word. Draco collapsed on top of her, too spent to even pull out of her. He rested his head next to hers, not bothering to move because he knew she was strong enough to support his weight by now.
"I won't leave," he whispered against her ear before burying his head into her damp hair and closing his eyes, inhaling the wonderful scent.
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-past-Draco-
He caught up with her faster than she thought possible. He grabbed her wrist, yanking her around to face him and pulling her body flush up against his. Ginny met his cold eyes with her own, livid ones. "I wasn't through speaking to you," he hissed.
Ginny tried to pull away from him, but his grip increased until it actually hurt. Like she really wanted him to mark her with some new bruises. "Well I was done with you," Ginny spat back. "You can't have all the things you want, Dean. You have to pick what you want the most."
"I want you," he insisted, "but you refuse to be with me."
Ginny shook her head at his retort. "I don't refuse to be with you. I just refuse to have sex with you, Dean. It's not the same thing," she told him before he could tell her it was.
"I want to have sex with you Ginny," he told her, point blank. Ginny stared up in his eyes. She knew he was telling her the truth. She knew he meant every single word of what he said. She knew he told her over and over again how much he loved her. But she had a hard time believing him and she really didn't want to let him ruin the sexual… bond… she'd formed with-
-Draco Malfoy. Whatever that meant. Ginny shook her head, "I just can't trust you enough for that kind of relationship."
Dean cupped her cheek with his hand, "Then let me prove to you that you can trust me again, Ginny. Just give me some time to prove it to you. Don't give up on us now."
An image of Draco's sweaty, naked body flashed through her mind. Ginny shook her head to trying to get rid of the image - no matter how much she liked it in her head. "Fine," she muttered, making Dean smile and capture her mouth (now tainted) with his.
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