Decisions, Decisions
The next morning rose with a snowy sky, howling winds and cold temperatures, causing many students to stay nestled in their warm beds well beyond the usual time for a Sunday morning. Ginny was still sound asleep curled up on her side, shirt untucked and hair splayed all over the pillow. Draco woke first; he was the kind of person who woke up early but didn't like to get out of bed right away unless there was an emergency. He felt Ginny's body pressed into his realizing he must have had curled around her at night, seeking warmth in the chilly room. He used wandless magic to get the fire started again so he didn't have to remove his arm from Ginny's waist and feel the chill in the air.
As he lay there, listening to her even breathing, he flexed his fingers that were dangling against her stomach and feeling her hand curl around his, he thought about what would happen IF he took the Potions position.
He would see her when he finished on June 30th; then maybe again on July 3rd when her brother and Fleur's wedding would be. She had mentioned she would like him to come, but he would wait until the groom said something or a magical invitation turned up in his room. He knew that the whole student body would be at Harry and Hermione's wedding on July 31st, so that would be almost a month that he would have been traveling and learning. Then he wouldn't have a chance to see her until she sat in the Great Hall the first day of school. He knew he wouldn't have a problem reverting back to his old self and treating her like the student she would be…but could he do it for an extended period of time. And most of all…
Would she accept it?
For awhile he had no doubt she would be fine with it. But from September to June? For five days a week they would have to act like teacher-student. Then maybe on the weekends she could visit him wherever he happened to be; but he knew the demands of NEWTs and with the number she was taking, how would she even find the time to play Quidditch?
'Oh, Merlin', Draco thought to himself, 'this means Head of the Slytherin House too and the team.' He gently freed his hand and raised it to his eyes pressing his fingers against them wondering how he could balance everything. He was going to have to talk to Ginny, his mother too since she would see him even less, he was sure.
His mind wandered back to last Friday's Chess Match where Ginny took up her usual spot next to him and thought about how he felt when her hand would touch his knee as she was leaning behind him talking to someone. He actually was learning to like these accidental touches and he found the more time he spent with her, the more he just wanted to keep a hand on her to see if she was really there WITH him not some mirage he conjured up because he was hallucinating.
He felt Ginny move. Stretching her legs until they hit his, her foot found its way between his and she sleepily sighed into the pillow. Clumsily, she reached up and brushed hair away from her face, then let her hand fall back to where his was resting on her bare stomach, breathing remaining even.
He heard the wind rattling down the fireplace chimney making the fire crackle loudly and he wondered briefly his parents ever had moments like this. Just watching the other one sleep, all comfortable and relaxed--but as soon as he thought it, he dismissed it almost laughing aloud. Something he couldn't see his father doing and right now, his father was turning over in the cemetery down the hill from Malfoy Manor seeing his son curled up next to a Weasley thinking about a possible future with her.
Startled from her sleep Ginny suddenly turned over onto her back and glanced at him for a minute confused. He smiled at her and a look of recognition dawned on her face and she smiled back.
"You should have sent me back to the tower," she said her voice husky with sleep, taking note that his hand was still settled on her bare stomach and she didn't make a move to pull down her shirt or push his hand away.
"Why? You were very comfortable; plus it was freezing in here so why would I want to send away my own personal heater?" Draco said gently and Ginny appraised him curiously for a second.
"How long have you been awake?" she lay her hand on top of his and noticed he wasn't wearing a shirt, she ran her hand up and down his forearm enjoying the smooth muscles and soft hair beneath her palm.
"Awhile," he answered, feeling the warmth of her hand skim over his arm sending chills to his spine. Ginny felt him tighten his grip around her and she began massaging his arm, slowly.
"What were you thinking about?"
Draco paused then realized he was going to have to tell her; he never laid around idly, not thinking; something was always going through his head.
"The teaching position and us," he said truthfully and felt her pause the wonderful movements she was making; he slid his arm all the way around her so her hand skimmed up above his elbow and reflexively she squeezed his bicep.
"What about that?" she asked her hand now following a slow path to his shoulder, making him forget what she just asked him.
"Ok, Ginny, I have got to say if you keep doing that I won't remember anything," he said sensuously, feeling her hand come up to his neck and stop. A little smile played on her face as she stopped and raised her eyebrows.
"Tease," he growled and leaned in to kiss her but she pushed him back.
"Tell me first," she gave a small laugh as he sighed and sank back onto the pillow, removing his arm and not touching her at all. Ginny turned onto her side and looked at him; he clasped his hands behind his head, feeling the warmth of the fire slowly fill the room.
"I came to the conclusion that if I take this, we would probably see each other at least once over the summer, at Potter's wedding. Then when school starts we have to play student-teacher and that requires us to act like none of this exists; except for maybe an occasional weekend, holiday etcetera and to act like that for a whole school year will not be easy," he turned his head and locked eyes with her.
"So, then if I hear you correctly you want what we have right now to continue but we'll have to put it on hold for 99% of the school year," Ginny said thoughtfully. "Well, what about the students that come back and know we've been together my 6th year? Aren't they going to tease, talk and all that?"
Draco mulled that over, staring at the ceiling once again.
"Probably," he said slowly. "So…we can either do that whole secret relationship thing and act civil towards each other in public or just ignore that and make sure they don't have anything to talk about while school is in session."
They were both quiet and he felt Ginny's hand lay lightly on his chest.
"This is ultimately up to you and it sounds to me as if you want to take the job," Ginny propped her head up on her hand and looked at him sideways. He was still staring at the ceiling.
"I have until April, the end of April, to decide. I don't need to make a decision now," he said almost to himself.
"True, that's true," Ginny said taking in his profile and then taking her hand off his chest, she waved it in front of his face. He turned to look at her.
"You are pretty far away; what are you thinking about now?" Ginny asked watching him shake his head slightly.
Sliding herself over she felt him reach over and pull her up until she was looking down at him, seeing many different emotions in his eyes as she rested on top of him.
"You know what?" Ginny asked and Draco asked, "What?"
"I think you are thinking to much at the moment," and with that she leaned down and didn't need to urge him to respond to her kiss, feeling his hands run down the length of her body, pulling her closer and any thinking was discouraged until someone rapped on the door again. This time a male voice saying that he was needed for some scuffle between the two second year boys yet again. Ginny smiled as he threw back the sheets, cursing and threw on his robe over his pajama bottoms, he pointed at her and she gave him a wave, snuggling down under the covers waiting for him to come back.
She listened to the wind whooshing down the chimney and was so warm under the covers she drifted off again, her body aching for Draco to come back and finished what he started.
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Ginny never got to have her moment alone with Draco, when he returned he said he had to take the two boys to Professor Snape's office and talk about detention. Ginny had gotten everything together for herself, kissed him and headed back to her common room via the floo since it was so cold in the castle.
One interesting fact that she learned that Sunday, while talking to Hermione and Harry…that Professor Sunnyvale was indeed not coming back as the DADA teacher. Professor Dumbledore had called a meeting and offered the position to Harry Potter, who was so shocked he was speechless. He wanted to talk it over with Hermione but the prospect was very appealing to him. Ginny had told them about Draco and had fallen to the floor when she heard about Harry, shaking her head thinking that two important men in her life would be her teachers if they took the job. After Draco heard about Potter being offered the DADA position he seemed to not stress out so much about him being the youngest teacher at Hogwarts if he accepted Professor Snape's post.
The rest of the month went by like that for her and Draco, never getting very far in talking, people always interrupting. Students were getting cabin fever being stuck inside and many of the Prefects, Ginny included, and Draco and Hermione had their hands full pulling apart scuffles, removing various banned Whizarding Wheezes from students and then having their own studies on top of everything else.
The only time Ginny felt she saw Draco was during the Chess Matches, which still turned out to be draws. The anticipated Ravenclaw vs.Gryffindor Quidditch match was upon them and Ginny was looking forward to playing against Draco for the Cup if they won this game. Harry's Aunt and Cousin had taken advantage of the open invitation and had arrived for the match.
Leaving a bit early for the match with plans on stretching and tending to her broom, she felt Draco pull up next to her half way down to the changing rooms.
"What are you doing here?" Ginny asked looking behind her.
"I'm finished breakfast and I saw you headed down early, so I thought I would catch up, get a good seat, you know. You?" he felt her tuck her maroon arm through his and anyone who saw them would see that they made a very striking pair walking down the path in contrasting robes.
"Stretch a bit, tend to my broom…fun stuff you know," Ginny said pausing by their changing room. Draco paused then leaned in to kiss her then registered surprise as she stepped back.
"Last time you did that, I was crap out there the whole practice; let's save it for when the game is over, " Ginny kissed him on his cheek, then hugged him, surprised at how strongly he returned her hug.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he pulled back a bit and looked at her. "What are you doing after the match?"
"Visiting my nieces; they are a month old now," Ginny looked at him, "Do you want to come with me?"
"I would if I could but I have to do rounds tonight," he said apologetically, then dropped his arms as he heard voices up the path. "Good luck in the match," he winked at her and headed into the Pitch where a few students were already seated.
Ginny set out the materials to service her broom and finished quickly. Her fellow Chasers arrived and she helped them get supplies ready when Harry came in obviously in thought and walked right into her as she was putting on her protective gear.
"Sorry, Ginny," Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side. "Can I run this play by you I just thought of?"
She nodded and set the guards down, secretly pleased that the captain of the team wanted to ask her advice about something. He guided her to a corner and sat next to her, explaining the thoughts going through his head. He could hear the crowd noise steadily getting louder as he finished talking with Ginny; he gathered everyone around, aware the Ron ran in at the last possible minute and glared at him for being late.
Harry assembled his team, gave a quick pep talk and the filed out onto the field, hearing the usual cheers and boos. Harry's trained eye scanned the stadium for his aunt and was amazed to see his Aunt and Dudley sitting near Professor Snape. He nudged Ron and Ginny and nodded up to the stands to where they were sitting. Ron raised his eyebrows but they were interrupted by Madam Hooch blowing her whistle to get the teams together. Ginny trotted over to Ron and told him to STAY IN HIS POSITION; jabbing his chest with each word.
Draco saw the exchange and actually smiled, shaking his head as Ron shoved her to her position and Ginny glared at her brother.
The game was one of the cleaner ones Gryffindor played and one of the easiest ones. For some reason, Ravenclaw just couldn't pull it together and after two hours, Harry managed to find the snitch, sealing a win and the chance to win the Cup in May. Ginny flew great, Ron made some awesome saves and everyone else performed flawlessly like they had at practice and Harry couldn't have been prouder. He told his team how he felt as they assembled on the pitch below as the crowd thinned out.
Harry looked up as Ginny gave him a quick hug and saw Draco walking across the pitch with Professor Snape, his aunt, his cousin and Hermione with Samantha trailing behind, heads close in conversation.
Harry released Ginny and she turned around, obviously surprised to see this group walking towards them. Ron moved in behind them, holding out his hand to Samantha as she walked around Harry, squeezing his arm and then hugging Ron.
Ginny went and stood next to Ron, still not feeling very comfortable around Dudley from the way he was looking at her. Her eyes met Draco's and he kept his face passive, but she saw him squint slightly at her.
"Well, Potter, one more game for you, Weasley and Malfoy here then, isn't it?" Professor Snape asked lightly.
"Looks that way," Harry said just as lightly, receiving a death glare from Snape, "SIR," he added with emphasis, not in the mood for Snape to ruin a perfectly great day.
"Your aunt asked to see you so I thought I would bring her down here; she also asked to meet your….friends," Snape added, his voice sounding angry when saying "friends."
"No problem," Harry said, feeling Hermione come to stand next to him. "Thank you for showing them down here."
Professor Snape inclined his head slightly towards Harry, gave Draco his typical, "Malfoy," in the way of greeting and turned and walked quickly off the pitch. Ron stared after him.
"I don't think he has ever volunteered to bring anyone anywhere," he said quietly so Harry could hear him. Harry nodded slightly, and then turned his attention to his aunt and cousin. He noticed that Dudley was now staring up at the rings, obviously trying to see how tall they were, then turned around to get a view of the stands. His Aunt looked thinner, if possible than the last time he saw her and she gazed at him thoughtfully.
Ginny wondered why his Aunt looked so sad; she was acting very differently from all the times she had seen them on the platform at the end of the school year.
"I hear now you will play for the Cup?" Aunt Petunia asked taking a few steps to stand in front of Harry, who nodded.
"We'll be playing Slytherin; his team," Harry nodded towards Draco who was standing there coolly a few feet away from Ginny.
"That's Draco Malfoy," Harry said by way of introduction.
"You know Hermione," Harry put an arm around her and saw Petunia give her a slight smile. He could feel Hermione grip the back of his robes with her hand.
"Ron Weasley is behind me with Samantha…she's Hermione's cousin and Ron's new fiancée; and this is Ginny, Ron's younger sister…she is a year behind us," Harry laid a friendly hand on Ginny's shoulder and saw Draco look at him strangely. Ignoring him, Harry saw her gaze swing to Ginny and study her for a moment. Ginny returned Petunia's gaze coolly wondering what she was thinking.
"Nice to meet all of you," Petunia said softly. Harry then suggested that they head back towards the school and the group began walking out of the Pitch, ducking into the changing rooms then quickly making their way out to Petunia and Dudley who were waiting.
Ginny stayed behind, unlacing her guards and a bit unnerved at how Petunia stared at her like she knew her and was trying to place where. Her teammates left and she heard the door bang shut with the last of them. She sat on the bench for a moment enjoying the silence and letting her thoughts stray to seeing her nieces, wondering how April snuck up on her, wondering what she was going to do for Easter, wondering what it would be like to play Slytherin for the House Cup now that she was with Draco. Shaking her head, she stood up with a sigh, climbed up on the bench and placed her Chaser Guards on the top shelf so no one would take her favorite pair. She turned as the door opened and saw Draco walking in, alone.
"Do you always stand on furniture?" he asked amused, looking up at her. Ginny turned back around and placed her last guard on the pile.
"It's my secret hiding place," she joked then turned back around and looked down at him. "Hmm…I like being taller than you," playfully she rapped him on the head. His face came to her stomach as she stood there.
"I'm still stronger," Draco said and grabbed her around the waist, letting her slide down in his arms a bit. Ginny laughed and placed her arms around his shoulders as he held her so their faces were level.
"You can put me down now," she said and he shook his head, tightening his grip around her and she saw him studying her. Feeling like she was going to fall, she hooked her legs behind his and wondered what he was going to say.
"You know, I think I like you in Quidditch Robes," he said before claiming her lips. Ginny's body realized how long it had been since she had been alone with him way before her brain realized anyone could walk in.
She wrapped her legs around him tighter, and felt him back her up against the lockers, one arm under her bum supporting her, the other running through her hair. Forgetting everything and melting into his touch she pushed herself closer while pulling the laces on her robes to let her legs wrap around him better.
Her robes finally unlaced she moved into him and felt his hand trial down her side and leave her breathless as it brushed across the top of her Quidditch pants. She whispered his name, letting her hand run through his hair and felt him respond by backing her up harder against the lockers, his free hand running along the under part of her thigh and found it's a way THERE, causing Ginny to cry out as he gently touched her where her legs parted and wrapped around him. She couldn't help it; she rocked against him, arms tight as a vise around his shoulders and through the haze of currents running through her she felt him rock his hips against hers…that combination of his hand moving and his hips moving threw her over the edge. His lips crushed hers, muffling her cries and her hands dug hard into his shoulders, legs gripping around his waist. She heard his breathing quicken and as she felt that knot release herself throughout her whole body she arched back, her head touching the lockers and not caring who heard her yelled out his name in between pants to catch her breath; his face buried in her neck he moaned and murmured her name as they slowly stilled their bodies and she slumped against him…the only sound was heavy breathing and two people gulping in air.
Opening her eyes Ginny saw her guards on the floor among other Quidditch items and for some reason it struck her as funny. Wiggling down and standing on shaky legs, she pointed over Draco's shoulder as he pulled away and he smiled when he saw the mess they had made. Quickly Ginny drew out her wand and moved everything back where it was, then laid her head against his chest.
"I love Quidditch," Ginny sighed and heard a hum in Draco's chest as he agreed with her.
"This is the best part of the game," he agreed then pulled away to lace up her robes. She stood there and let him finish dressing her, loving the fact that he moved slowly, touching her and kissing her as he did so making her go weak kneed again.
"You played a great game," he said as he kissed her ear after finishing her laces.
"You too," Ginny said coyly and after helping him arrange his robes and making sure everything else was cleaned up they headed out together and up to the castle for lunch, where they would part for the day. Each a little happier and relaxed not worrying that Draco had three weeks to give his decision to Professor Dumbledore.
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Ginny visited her nieces with their red hair and dark eyes like their mother. Easter came and went with sweets appearing in everyone's dorms and the students began trickling outside to study or relax with the warmer weather.
Early May and the promise of Spring was among them and with it the decision had been made to hire Harry Potter for the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teaching Position and Draco Malfoy for the Potions Teaching Position.
A quiet time had been established as NEWTs drew closer for the 7th years and they often found themselves studying in small groups spread throughout the castle. Hermione had taken advantage of the Room of Requirement and made it into a comfortable study room with bookshelves along each wall. It was open to anyone who wanted to seriously study, on their own and those that were interested were told how to enter (thinking about studying and walking back and forth in front of the blank wall three times, then the door should appear). It was open to only 5th and 7th years and to any house; Hermione was not about to discriminate.
It was here that on a Thursday evening Hermione was studying along with two girls from Hufflepuff and a boy from Ravenclaw; all spread out throughout the room, absorbed in their studying. A charm had been placed on the door so it wouldn't disrupt the students with the squeaking sound of opening and closing.
Her fiancée and teammates were out practicing for the upcoming House Cup and that thought was far from Hermione's mind as she made notes in the margin of her Arithmancy book. She was studying the formulas over and over when she felt someone slide into the chair next to her. Looking up she was surprised to see Draco sitting two feet away from her. She really hadn't really conversed with him since that moment in the hospital in March and was wary of what he wanted now. Looking up she silently asked 'What' a bit bothered he had interrupted her studying.
"I have a question and seeing as you are Ginny's best friend I thought you might be able to shed the light on the subject," he said very quietly.
Hermione stayed quiet, hearing the word "Ginny" fall off his lips, like he didn't even have to think twice about it now. She was still waiting for him to say her first name like Ginny said he had, or was almost forced too, at lunch in January. For some reason, Draco calling ALL of them, at least the girls, but their first names would prove to her that he was viewing himself as equal or at least on a friendly basis with them.
"I want to buy her a gift, not your usual Art supplies or article of clothing, but I am coming up blank."
Hermione looked at him thoughtfully.
"I don't think you need to buy her anything; she isn't the type of girl who needs to be taken care of."
Draco nodded in agreement, and then rested both arms on the table, still turned towards her. "I know that; I just want to give her something for the end of the year, to…," he gave a small shrug and closed his eyes for a moment. Hermione knew what he was going to say and she touched his arm as he looked at her.
"Don't buy her anything; not yet. Think of something else, something that can't be wrapped up in pretty paper; something that she knows comes from here," she surprised him by jabbing his chest, "not your wallet."
Draco appraised her for a moment and nodded again. Glancing down at his books he looked back at her.
"Do you mind if I study here? Astronomy exam."
"Feel free. No falling asleep and snoring loudly though," Hermione turned back towards her notes and they were soon absorbed in their respective textbooks only partly aware that at this time last year, neither of them would have been caught dead sitting next to one another.
As a break from all the studying and stress, a decision was made by Harry to continue the Friday Night Chess Match where bets had been made, but not voiced to anyone. Ron hadn't even told Harry what his idea was for Draco and Draco wouldn't tell Ginny anything.
If Harry had to guess, he would say the whole school had turned out for this Chess Match. The teachers didn't even leave the head table as dinner magically disappeared and Knights Wizarding Chess was set up in the middle of the room. Ron and Draco actually shook hands before sitting down and setting up their pieces.
Ginny sat next to Draco, trying to learn the game from him and Ron thinking maybe one day she would be talented enough to play a good game with her brother. Every so often she would feel Draco's hand on her knee as he watched Ron plan and make is move and she would cover his hand with hers, relishing in any physical contact she could get from him knowing that the summer was going to be long- as was next year and also realizing that with all the studying and classes she hasn't spent any time with him or really any of her 7th year friends at all. Rumors were still flying about Ginny and Draco…no one having seen any more public display's of affection since that one time in the main hall.
Harry and Hermione sat next to each other, their sides pressed against each other watching the game as intently as everyone else and the Great Hall was in silence as people jostled for position or left and came back. Professor Snape and McGonagall had made their rounds quietly appraising the board every so often.
As everyone sat there, well into the second hour Harry could see an opening for Ron and he knew Ron saw it too…he felt Ron jiggling his leg under the table and without thinking he reached over and clamped his hand down on his knee. Ron looked up and raised an eyebrow at him and Harry quickly removed his hand, but the message had been sent. They both saw a possible way to beat Draco, if he didn't see it first.
Hermione laid a hand on Harry's back knowing something was up but didn't ask. She felt the tension drain out of Harry as Draco covered the move both he and Ron saw and they settled back down to watch.
For the next half hour, Ron was watching Draco carefully, knowing that something was off and he couldn't place his finger on it.
Ron glanced up after Draco made his move and saw him looking at Ginny who was turned around talking quietly to Parvati behind her.
Ron gently moved the piece he had been guarding.
Draco turned and without thinking slid a piece over causing Ron to look down and everyone, including Ginny, heard Harry breathe in sharply…