Disclaimer: I don't own anything, but the plot and the occasional original character.
A/N: Special thanks to my lovely beta, Aliya.
Chapter 8
The person then opened the door all the way. Draco saw that it was a woman, and she didn't seem like a huge threat at the moment. That's when he realized that she was using her wand for light, not to curse him.
"Hello?" he called, slightly confused. Who was this person, and what did she want?
"Draco! I haven't seen you in such a long time!" the woman exclaimed.
"Not to be rude of anything, but who are you?" Draco asked bluntly.
"I'm Kiara Bell. Well, Weasley now, but that doesn't matter. I used to baby-sit for you when you were little," she added at his bemused look.
"You did?" he questioned uncertainly.
"Yes, I did. Whenever your parents went out I would baby-sit you. They didn't trust the house elves with their precious Draco," Kiara reminded.
Draco thought for a minute. "Now I remember you!" he exclaimed suddenly. "You were the one who always let me stay up late and eat whatever I wanted."
"That was me. I spoiled you rotten," Kiara agreed.
"I used to wonder where you went once I was too old for a babysitter. I remember the first few times that I stayed at the manor by myself, I kept wishing that you were there," Draco reminisced.
"Really?" Kiara asked, honored.
"Yeah," Draco replied with a smile. "So, I have a feeling that you didn't come here just to remember old times. Why did you want to talk to me?"
"I actually wanted to talk to you about my sister-in-law, Ginny Weasley," she told him.
"Which one of those wonderful brothers of hers did you marry?" Draco wondered sarcastically.
"I married Bill, the oldest, if you must know," Kiara snapped.
"Sorry. What about Ginny?" he apologized.
"Well, she wrote me a letter, and I wanted to read a little of it to you," Kiara answered. She pulled out the letter and began reading. "She said, `Dear Kiara, I'm so glad you wrote me. I was feeling really down before I read your letter. I was crying, actually.' Do you know why she was crying?"
Draco shook his head. "No, but I have a feeling that you're going to tell me," he replied.
"She was crying because you told her she couldn't go to the Ball with Bryant. It upset her that you two had a fight," Kiara informed him.
He didn'jt say anything for a minute. "She was that upset about it?" he asked disbelievingly after a minute.
"Yes. She told me all about your fight. Now, tell me truthfully, why you didn't want her to go with the other guy," she commanded softly. She wanted to know if he liked Ginny, or if he just wanted to boss her around.
"Truthfully, I don't want her to go with him because I honestly don't like him. There's something about him that rubs me the wrong way. I'm also a little suspicious of why he's here," Draco answered.
"Is the only reason?" Kiara prompted.
Draco hesitated again. "I guess not. I guess I'm kind of jealous. I was planning on asking her that day, but Bryant beat me to it," he admitted.
"So, you like her?" Kiara clarified.
"Well, I like her, but I'm not sure if it's just as a friend or something more," Draco told her uncertainly. Deep down, he knew he was lying. He liked her as more than a friend, but he didn't want to admit it. If he said it out loud, it would make it so much more real.
"But you wanted to go to the Ball with her?" Kiara recapped. Draco nodded. "But you're not sure if you fancy her or not?"
"Exactly," Draco confirmed. "Why do you want to know?"
"Well, I heard Ginny's feelings about all of this, and I just wanted to see where you stood," Kiara explained. "I guess that's all. Bye, Draco."
"Wait!" Draco called. Kiara turned around and prompted him to continue. "Can you not mention anything I said to Ginny?"
"My lips are sealed," she assured with a smile, and, with that, she was gone.
Draco then headed back to his dormitory, glad that he had met the writer of his letter. It was good to see an old friend again, and now he knew how Ginny felt about their fight. He felt kind of bad that he had made Ginny cry, but he knew he was right. Bryant was up to something, but Draco just was sure what.
*~*~*~*
Ginny was sitting in her dormitory when there was a knock at the door. She stood up and curiously opened the door. Who would be knocking on her door? She opened the door to reveal Kiara standing there.
When she saw who it was, Ginny let out a little squeal of surprise and pulled Kiara into a big hug. "What are you doing here?" she shrieked happily.
"Well, I dropped by to talk to someone and thought I'd say hi," Kiara answered.
"Who did you have to talk to?" Ginny asked curiously.
"Draco Malfoy," Kiara replied bluntly. She figured there was no point in lying.
"What?" Ginny exclaimed in surprise. "Why would you have to talk to him?"
"I wanted to hear his side of your fight," Kiara explained.
"So, you went up to a total stranger and asked him about our fight?" Ginny asked, dumbfounded.
"No, I've know Draco for a long time. I used to baby-sit him when he was little," Kiara told her.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Ginny demanded indignantly.
"You never asked," her sister-in-law pointed out with a shrug.
"You still could have told me!" Ginny protested.
"I guess I could have," Kiara agreed. "But would that really have help you any?"
"I suppose not," Ginny admitted. "But it still would have been a comfort to know."
"Sorry," Kiara apologized.
"It's alright. So, what did he say about our fight?" Ginny wanted to know.
"He has asked that everything he said to me remains confidential," Kiara informed Ginny.
"Well, can't you tell me anyway?" she begged.
"Well, I could, but I'm not going to," Kiara teased.
"Please, Kiara," Ginny pleaded.
"No," she replied.
"Well, at least tell me if you told him anything that I said," Ginny insisted.
"I did tell him about your side of the fight," Kiara admitted.
"Then it's only fair that I get to hear about his side," Ginny insisted.
"Fine," Kiara relented. "I'll tell you this much, he doesn't want you to go with Bryant because he honestly believes you could get hurt."
"Really?" Ginny asked in surprise.
"Really," Kiara confirmed.
"Thanks. That's good enough for me," Ginny said cheerfully.
"Well, I'm going to go now that I've completed my task. See you later, Ginny," Kiara bid her good-bye.
"Bye, Kiara."
Kiara then walked out of the dormitory. Ginny watched her as she descended the stairs until she could see her so more. Then she closed the dormitory door and screamed with glee into her pillow. Draco really did care about her! He didn't want to see her hurt! She had to apologize, but how?
*~*~*~*
The next morning, Draco woke up and found a letter for him next to his bed. When he reached down to pick it up, he saw that it was actually two letters, both addressed to him. The first said:
Dear Draco,
I just wanted to tell you that, even though I promised not to, I told Ginny a little about our conversation. Sorry, but it's for your own good. You know you want to be friends with Ginny, and I'm just helping. Hope everything works out for you.
Love,
Kiara
The other one said:
Dear Draco,
Meet me outside the Great Hall at four o'clock. I really need to talk to you.
-Ginny
After reading the first one, Draco became mad at Kiara. She had promised she wouldn't tell! Now she'd told Ginny! Now Ginny might think he fancied her. Even though that was true, he didn't want her to know that.
After reading the second one, however, Draco was glad Kiara had told. Ginny was willing to talk to him again. That was a definite good thing. Maybe he could convince her to go to the Ball with him instead of Bryant. If only he knew the real reason Bryant had transferred, it might be easier for him to convince her.
Smiling happily to himself, Draco got ready. He then headed down to the Great Hall for lunch. He couldn't wait until four o'clock.
*~*~*~*
As four o'clock approached, Ginny began to get nervous. What if Draco didn't show up? What if he didn't get her letter? What if Kiara was lying and he really didn't care if Bryant hurt her on not? She could go on forever, but she knew it wouldn't do any good so she tried to calm herself down. She sat down and tried to start her essay for Charms, but she was just too nervous.
By this time, it was quarter to four, and she figured she could head down to the Great Hall. She stood up ran her fingers through her hair and walked out of her dormitory.
When she arrived outside the Great Hall, it was five to four, and there was no sign of Draco. He still could come, you're early, she reminded herself. Just as she was thinking this, Draco came strolling around the corner. She was so happy that he came that she almost rushed forward to give him a hug, but decided against it. She didn't want to scare him away before she had a chance to apologize.
"Hi, Draco," she greeted instead.
"Hey," Draco replied, a tad bit coldly, Ginny noted. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Well, I wanted to apologize," Ginny told him.
"For what?" Draco asked curiously.
"Well, for making a huge deal about you not wanting me to go to the Ball with Bryant. Kiara told me that you just don't want to see me get hurt. So, I'm sorry," she apologized contritely.
He hesitated before answering. "I guess I sort of, um, owe you an, er, apology too," he stuttered.
"No, you don't, Draco. I know you just did it to protect me. Besides, I also know that you've probably never apologized to anyone in your entire life. Save it for someone who actually deserves your apology," Ginny cut him off before he could apologize. "Just tell me that you accept my apology, and I'll be happy."
"Alright, I accept your apology," Draco replied uncertainly.
"So, friends?" Ginny asked tentatively.
"Yes, friends," he said with a smile.
With that, they both went their separate ways to do whatever it is they were going to do. They were both happy with their friendship, and Draco knew that as soon as he got back to his dormitory that he was going to write Kiara a letter. Ginny also had that thought in mind.
*~*~*~*
Draco soon arrived back at his dormitory. He sat down at his desk and took out a piece of parchment and a quill.
Dear Kiara,
Thank you so much for not listening to me! Ginny and I made up. I'm so glad. Thanks!
Draco
Feeling much better about himself, Draco sent his letter off with his owl. After he had done that, he decided that he would fly around on his broom. He knew he would be freezing, but he didn't care. He needed the practice. Besides, it would take his mid off of the upcoming Valentine's Day Ball. Grabbing his Firebolt 6000, he headed out to the Pitch.
*~*~*~*
After talking to Draco, Ginny headed back up to her dormitory to tell Kiara. She grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill and headed down to the Common Room. She sat down on one of the chairs near the fire and began writing.
Dear Kiara,
Thank you so much! Great news, Draco and I are friends again. I apologized to him for getting so upset and yelling at him. I never would have been able to do that if you hadn't told me what he'd said. You saved our friendship. Thank you!
In other news, the Valentine's Day Ball is on Saturday! I can't wait. It turns out that Bryant really is sweet. Draco and Colin were wrong. He won't hurt me. I wonder if Draco has a date. I'll have to ask him, but I'm almost sure he's going with Pansy Parkinson, Bryant's cousin. They've been on again, off again since my third year when they went to the Yule Ball together.
So, how are you doing? Have you been sick at all because of your pregnancy? How is Bill? Is he excited about the baby? Hope all is good with you.
By the time you write back, I might have already gone to the Ball. I can't wait! Write back soon.
Love,
Ginny
When she finished writing her letter, Ginny went up to the Owlery to get Pig. Ron put him up there because he made too much noise. She found him right away. He was the only owl who was fluttering around and squeaking impatiently.
Ginny rolled her eyes as she walked up to the squealing little owl. "You just never get tired, do you?" she asked Pig, not expecting an answer.
Pig merely started squealing louder. Ginny took that as a yes. She then tied her letter to his leg and let him fly out the window. She watched him for a while, not really seeing him. She was just thinking and staring into space.
The door opened, and someone entered the Owlery. Ginny heard the door close and turned around to see who it was. Standing in the doorway, was Bryant. "Hi, Ginny," he greeted, unfazed by her presence.
"Hey, Bryant," Ginny replied in greeting, surprised to see him.
"Ginny? Can I ask you something a little personal?" Bryant asked abruptly.
"Um, sure," she answered a little reluctantly.
"Who's your locket from?" Bryant questioned.
His question startled her. She didn't think anyone knew about her locket. She always kept it tucked safely under her clothes. "It's, uh, from a friend," Ginny stammered.
"An old friend?" He drawled dryly.
"Yes, actually," Ginny admitted. She had no idea how he'd known that.
"Draco gave that to you, didn't he?" Bryant demanded roughly.
"Ye-yeah," she said, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Bryant didn't look very happy with her answer, and, quite frankly, she was getting a little scared. Why did it matter, anyway? "It was a long time ago."
"Then why are you still wearing it?" he snapped angrily.
"I just found it again over Christmas holidays. I decided to start wearing it again," she fibbed. She didn't want to have to explain her whole past with Draco to him.
"Well, take it off. I don't want to catch you wearing that ever again, or you'll regret ever being `best friends forever' with Draco," Bryant threatened.
"How'd you know it said that?" Ginny asked. Now she was getting angry. Who was he that he thought he could just push her around? She wasn't going to let him anymore.
That seemed to snap Bryant out of his anger. The rage, almost pure hatred, that had consumed his eyes only a few seconds before was gone. "I'm so sorry, Ginny," he apologized. "I just like you so much. I can't stand the thought of you being with any other guy but me."
"It's alright, Bryant," she replied, slightly still bemused. She was sure that he could see her confusion, but he didn't see anything. She stared into his eyes for a minute to find any indication of why he'd been so mad at her. They were void of any emotion. There wasn't even any regret or remorse in them. That's when she began to think that maybe Draco and Colin were right. Maybe she shouldn't have agreed to the go to the ball with Bryant.
"Well, I'll see you later, Ginny."
"Yeah, see you."
Then Bryant was gone. Ginny began walking toward the door of the Owlery. That's when it hit her like a ton of bricks. Bryant hadn't sent any letter when he was in the Owlery.
A/N: Don't forget to review and tell me what you thought of this chapter.
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