Author's Note: Merry Christmas everyone! Here's another chapter just for you. I hope you enjoy it because I foretell only one more chapter.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the words!
Coeur Corrompu
Chapter Twenty Three
Don't hold yourself like that
You'll hurt your knees
I kissed your mouth and back
But that's all I need
Don't build your world around volcanoes melt you down
What I am to you is not real
What I am to you, you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for the sea
Don't throw yourself like that
In front of me
I kissed your mouth your back
Is that all you need?
Don't drag my love around volcanoes melt me down
What I am to you is not real
What I am to you, you do not need
What I am to you is not what you mean to me
You give me miles and miles of mountains
And I'll ask for what I give to you
Is just what I'm going through
This is nothing new
No, no just another phase of finding what I really need
Is what makes me bleed
And like a new disease she's still too young to treat
Volcanoes melt me down
She's still too young
I kissed your mouth
You do not need me
Volcano - Damien Rice
'Let me get this straight. You're going away with Harry to China, because you thought it would look suspicious to say no?'
'Yes…'
Ginny looked round the kitchen cautiously. This was all wrong. It wasn't going exactly how she had envisioned it, which made the whole process feel like the calm before the storm. Why was Molly being so, for lack of a better word, normal about it all?
As Ginny had gathered her things at the office, her mind had conjured up millions of scenarios. It had been her nerves about facing her mother that had created them, with the fear of confrontation looming in the distance. She didn't want to hurt anyone, but she didn't want to have a fight about her justifications. Secretly there was a part of her who wanted to keep it all bottled in - just go away without telling anyone. With that idea though there would be major guilt on her part. She'd probably just end up coming back to apologise anyway, so it would be pointless sneaking about like a cat in the kitchen.
No, it would have to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Scenario one had Molly fainting from the shock, clutching a potato masher to her heart and crying silently. That had been a painful thought, but her rational mind asked why it had to be that way. Hadn't her mother encouraged her to leave with Harry before? Yes she had, so clearly it would be alright and Molly wouldn't pass out at the thought.
Scenario two had Ginny's mother congratulating her, asking when the wedding was and how many children she expected to have. Now that one seemed more likely and somehow all the more scary. Ginny didn't want to touch Harry, let alone marry and bare his children. At the same time though, she didn't want her mum thinking she was prostituting herself, which would bring shame to the Weasley clan.
It had been at that point that she had decided that she'd have to marry Harry. That way he would never suspect her of knowing his dark evil secret. Yes, that was a good idea. Marry him, have a couple of kids and then leave at the first instance she could. Then she could find Draco and…
Mentally she slapped herself. What was she thinking? Of course she wasn't going to marry Harry. He didn't want to for one thing, and she certainly didn't. Anyway, even if she did join him in holy matrimony, who was there to say that they'd have to have children? Ginny was sure they could be happy without the burden of kiddies running about the place. And even if they did get divorced there was no way she would ever chase after Draco Malfoy.
Neither of her scenario's had occurred though. Instead she'd been slapped in the face by this deadly silence. No one wanted to speak in case they said the wrong thing. In some respects it was like a face off - pistols at high noon. There was tension, but there was no action. Ginny half expected Molly to start doing the washing up in an attempt to block out the thought.
What she really wanted was for Molly to shout, rant and rave. She wanted her to jump about, demanding that Ginny stop being such a fool and tell Harry she wasn't going anymore. Most of all Ginny wanted to be told what to do - wanted to be dissuaded from making such a huge mistake. There was none of that though and it hurt her. Did it mean Molly didn't care anymore? Or was she simply letting her daughter grow up and make her own decisions?
Any reaction would have done, but not this silence.
Malfoy wasn't helping the situation any either. Ginny hadn't even expected him to be there - he had certainly not featured in any of her dream scenarios. Her expectations seemed to be wrong all the way. Draco was supposed to be in his room, being seen and not heard, so she didn't have to think about him.
When she had first walked in, she had been reluctant to enter with him there. Ginny had not wanted to put herself in his direct line of fire. It was bad enough being this close to him, without sitting round a table with so little distance between them. At the back of her mind though she wanted to face him and show that she wasn't afraid anymore.
Sitting at that table, the little girl had run and hid behind the woman.
His face was open, which had surprised her. It was almost as if he'd given up on keeping her out. His grey eyes watched her intently, playing a masterful tune on her heart. How come he could be this way now it was over? Then again, had there been anything between them in the first place?
Bedroom eyes, she thought as she allowed herself to meet his gaze for a split second. They were summoning her to him, as if words no longer had any power over the desire to take her. It made her nervous to think that he could make her feel like that with one look. It made her think about all the other things that could happen if he moved closer. Even now she knew there was certain chemistry - it was because they couldn't have each other, she reasoned. There could be no other reason for this passion.
As she stared down at the kitchen table, she had watched him from the corner of her eye. Why was it that she felt like the prey being hunted down? Maybe it was because outwardly he looked so vulnerable. His hair was messy and probably smelt slightly rank, which would make a change from the usual Malfoy she saw. The face that used to be a normal kind of pale, was a shade or so lighter. He looked injured. That was probably because he was.
The eyes were still bothering her though. Even though they were tainted with dark, heavy bags, there was still a spark there. She could feel his stare in waves of beautiful anger. Each one hit her, making her annoyed at the intrusion but blissful at the attention. It had been a long time since anyone had looked at her like that and even though he was ill, he looked like that wouldn't stop him from pleasing.
Once the words had left her mouth though, the persistent gaze had left her body. Only then had she been able to look at him. It was as if he had left his body empty - left the room in a fit of violence. No longer did Draco Malfoy sit opposite her, but the shell of a man, who has heard something he thinks is a little too close to reality.
Her eyes wandered downwards to his chest. Many a time had it been a place of desire and comfort for her. As they had travelled down to Kings Cross, she had rested upon it as a head upon a pillow. It had risen slowly then, in frustration maybe, but now the rise was practically undetectable. Deep down the little voice begged for her to go over and speed it up.
'Well,' Molly's voice cut through her thoughts, 'I wasn't expecting you to do that.'
'I didn't exactly plan it to happen this way,' Ginny said softly. 'I don't think we ever plan this far ahead until it happens. At least I can say I've been spontaneous at least once in my life.'
She knew what she was trying to do - make a joke out of the matter. Didn't they always say that laughter was the best cure? Well, she wished they were right because she didn't know how else to deal with it. There was nothing she wouldn't have done to escape herself though, and China seemed like the perfect route.
'I suppose you can, but there would have been simpler ways of going about it. If that was what you wanted in the first place, anyway,' she said with a bright smile. 'I'm just shocked, that's all.
Molly turned away from Ginny and walked back over to the sink. That was always the moment when Ginny knew she was in the wrong. Washing up had always been her mother's escape from the family. Any problem could be solved by a little washing up liquid and a good scrub.
That was where they were similar. Believing that things will work themselves out if they bury their heads for long enough. Well it wasn't what Ginny wanted. She wanted to stay in the Burrow, with her family, and forget everything that had happened. The problem was she couldn't forget. Draco would always be there at the back of her mind and now it seemed like the only cure was to fly far away with Harry, to start a new life.
'Do you think it's a good idea?' Ginny asked in a pleading subtle tone.
'Frankly Ginny, I think you're making a big mistake. I don't think Harry would have suspected anything had you said no, and it's all an excuse for you to…escape the reality of your situation,' Molly breezed as she scrubbed at a plate. 'If this is what you want though, and it makes you happy, then I am happy. I wouldn't want you to be miserable because you missed this opportunity.'
'I am happy.'
Was she? No, she was far from it. All she wanted was Draco to make her happy, but they both knew that wasn't going to happen. So instead she would settle for second best because she was scared of being alone again. She had become so dependant on his presence that she'd forgotten who she was. Ginny Weasley was not an adventurous woman, who helped known criminals and disobeyed her family. She wasn't a woman who took risks and dared to dance with danger. Ginny was a woman who was good, kind and honest. A woman who would never fall in love with the bad boy, just because he was temptingly devious with good looks to boot.
'Liar.'
Draco was staring at her again, but this time as if he wanted to beat her. His lips had moved only a fraction to release such a treacherous word. It was powerful and commanding, making her look up into his face.
'No I'm not,' she mouthed, so only he would see her lips move and so she didn't have to use her emotion cracked voice.
'You're lying. I know it and so do you,' Draco said in a cold hard voice, laced with anger.
'What right do you have to question me?' she asked indignantly, her anger getting the better of her. 'Last time I checked you wanted nothing to do with me, so why the sudden interest?'
Silence reigned again. They were both glaring at each other, with Ginny unable to tear her eyes away from his. It was almost like magnetism - opposites attracting and unable to pull away.
'I think I'll just go hang the washing out on the line,' Molly said suddenly, cutting through the tension like a knife. 'Wouldn't like you both to be going without clean underwear.'
With that final, slightly bemusing, statement, Molly left the room with a slam. Then there were two, Ginny thought inwardly, looking away from Draco. Suddenly the wooden table seemed a lot more attractive to stare at.
'Why are you doing this?' he demanded quietly.
'I told you. I didn't want Harry to suspect anything…and anyway, it's none of your business what I do now. You're not my keeper.'
'Liar.'
'Stop saying that!' Ginny shouted, thumping a fist down on the table.
'I'll stop saying it when you stop lying,' he said with force. 'Why are you doing this?'
'I just told you why! Why are you being such a moron?!'
'Liar.'
Ginny sighed and twisted a tendril of hair round her finger. She didn't like it when he was angry. It scared her to think of what he was capable of - all the things he could do to her if she pushed the wrong buttons. He had told her himself that he would kill if he had to.
'First you ignore me as if I have done something to hurt you, then you decide to run of with Potter. Don't you think that it's all a little childish?' Draco mused aloud. 'I know you want me, but this is no way to get my attention, when you already have it.'
'You, Draco Malfoy, are the most vain, arrogant, conceited…pig, I have ever had the misfortune to meet!' she shouted, standing up and paced the kitchen floor. 'I can't believe you have the nerve to think that this is all about you! Well I have news for you. It has nothing to do with you. Oh and for the record that should be "wanted". The past tense definitely needed!'
'Liar. We both know you still have feelings for me. The only reason you're denying them is because you don't want me to be right,' Draco sneered and leant back in his chair. 'You're scared of admitting you love me, because you know I'm leaving without you. So you decide to ignore me, maybe then you can forget what I mean to you. It isn't enough though, because you really want to hurt me for abandoning you, so you decide to run off with Potter.'
'That is a complete work of fiction Malfoy.'
'Oh and you would know all about that, wouldn't you?' Draco fumed from where he sat. 'You're always trying to skirt round reality. I'm leaving you. You can't bear that fact, so you try to forget it.'
'Again, you are so wound up in yourself that you can't see the whole picture! I don't want you anymore, and it's driving you crazy!' she shouted.
Now she was pacing the small kitchen, she felt a little less pressured. Ginny didn't have to sit there while he talked to her like a child, she could be above him and therefore better at handling the situation. Her fingers toyed with her bottom lip in a worried fashion, as she crossed and uncrossed her arms. This was not what she wanted to talk about.
'I'm going to China because I want to start a new life with Harry,' she said calmly, pausing and turning to face him. 'That is the complete and utter truth.'
'And what would you do if I spoiled that,' he whispered softly. 'What would you do if I said I wasn't going to let you do this?'
'I would laugh quite a lot,' she said, beginning to pace again. 'We both know you would never lower yourself to admitting you didn't want me to go. That would be completely out of character. Anyway, that's beside the point because even if you did, I would still go because it's what I want.'
'I don't want you to go.'
Ginny stopped in her tracks and faced him again. Her forehead creased into a frown of confusion. 'Pardon?'
'Please don't go.'
She stared at him openly. Here sat a man who was by all means a menace, who she clearly adored, but who was forced to run and hide because he knew too much. He was annoying, shameless, arrogant, and obsessed with himself. He didn't know how to love, but he did know how to kill with no mercy or guilt. And yet here he was begging her to stay.
'You're asking me not to go to China with Harry? Why?'
'What else do you want me to say Ginny?' he asked, with a hint of frustrated anger lacing his voice. 'Is it begging you want? Maybe blood?'
'I want you to tell me why I shouldn't go away,' she said in a pleading tone. 'I want you to tell me why I should stay, more to the point.'
'You should stay because you love me, and not Potter. It would be wrong to delude yourself that far,' he said coldly. 'Ginny, you can't expect to set up home with a cold blooded killer, when you're not dedicated to him.'
'Why do you always do that?' she asked with a wrinkled nose. 'You're always avoiding the question.'
'It's an answer, isn't it?' he asked with a smug smile. 'That's all you ever ask for. If you wanted more from me you should have made yourself clearer.'
'You're deluded,' Ginny said with feeling.
'I'm not the one in love with someone they shouldn't even like,' he retorted quickly. 'That would make you the deluded one.'
'I'm not in love with you!' she said in exasperation. 'Will you stop claiming that I do as if it were common fact?!'
'Liar. You love me.'
'Do not.'
'Now that is childish,' he said with a sly smile. 'Resorting to limited language exchange, just because you can't think of anything better to say.'
'Okay, smart arse, why do you think I love you? Hmm?' Ginny snapped angrily, crossing her arms across her chest and glaring at him.
Draco was silent. It was unusual for him not to have something to lash back with, and it took Ginny slightly by surprise. Then he looked at her, his eyes sweeping over her slowly. It made her shiver slightly, to wonder what was going on behind that indifferent smile.
'I think you love me because if I kissed you right now…' he paused and let his eyes rest on her neck. 'The most chaste and polite of kisses, then you wouldn't be able to leave. I think you love me because if I did more, you wouldn't complain. I think you love me because you worry about my well being, even when you wish I am dead. I think you love me because you can't help yourself.'
'I never knew you thought so much. Maybe you should stop now before your brain melts,' she said bitterly. 'Those are feeble reasons, that could be something other then love.'
'You're only saying that because I'm right.'
'I'm saying it because you're wrong.'
Draco smiled at her in a predatory manner, and stood up from the table. A lump was building in Ginny's throat and she attempted to swallow it back. There was no way she was going to back away from this. There was no way she was going to let him have the satisfaction of seeing her back down.
He walked towards her and placed his hands on her upper arms, pinning her to the spot. Well, she thought inwardly, there's no getting out of it now. Ginny would have to face what she'd been running from since…she couldn't even remember a time when she hadn't been running from something. That was what made them click, she thought. They were both on the run.
'I'm right. I am always right,' Draco whispered, shaking her slightly. 'So shut up and listen.'
'Okay,' she said defiantly.
'Firstly, stop being such an idiot and doing what you think is right. It isn't. Secondly, I may be all of those things you've said and probably thought, but you do love me. If you didn't you wouldn't still be here listening to this. Thirdly, you won't go away with Harry because….' he faltered slightly and looked past her absently.
'Because…?'
'I don't want you to.'
'Why not?'
'I…like you more then I would like to admit,' he said looking at her. 'You're an annoying woman, you realise that, don't you?'
Ginny smiled slightly. 'You love me.'
'I never said I that,' Draco grumbled. 'You're just guessing.'
'You do!' she laughed suddenly.
'Shut up Weasley…'
'You love me, but you don't want to say it because I'm going away!' she shouted triumphantly.
'I'm warning you…'
Raising her eyebrows, Ginny couldn't help but grin slightly. 'You want me so badly; you're willing to beg for me to stay. Shall I tell you why? Because you love me!'
With a growl Draco swooped forward and kissed her hard on the lips, which Ginny gladly reciprocated with enthusiasm.