Jam
Chapter Two - Giving In
Ginny snapped her head down; she was afraid Draco would notice her. She swept her hand up, covering her face. Crawling behind the nearest bush, she managed to look up now and then to see him engrossed in conversation with a particular good looking-
"Ginny, what are we doing huddled behind a rose bush?" Colin asked. Ginny looked to her right, seeing Colin hunched over next to her. She stood up, brushing off her dress. She laughed, a crimson blush spreading across her cheeks. Scratching the back of her head, she tried to think of a reasonable explanation.
"I thought I lost a jewel on my dress, and I was looking for it," she lied, a smile plastered to her face. Colin chortled, offering her his arm. She took it willingly. He began to lead her over to where Draco was leaning against the doorway.
"Let's not go that way," she pleaded, dragging Colin in the opposite direction. He shot her an odd look, but had no other choice than to follow her around the back of the mansion.
The tall grass tickled Ginny's feet as she trudged around the outside of the enormous building. She had no idea as to where she was going, and to make it all the better, Colin was beginning to whine.
"Do you even know where you're taking me?" he grunted. Ginny turned, only to stare at him coldly. He rolled his eyes.
"I'm going to go back, you're welcome to come with me, in fact I wish you would, but I'm not going to wander around the grounds of the Malfoy Manor all night long!"
Ginny gaped open mouthed at him like a fish. Finally snapping out of her revere she howled at him, "We're at MALFOY MANOR? You work for... Malfoy?" He nodded his head.
"He's my boss. Now, if we could go back inside, I could get some business done," he growled. Ginny agreed bitterly, storming back to the garden doors behind him.
Thankfully, Draco had gone inside. Most likely swept off by some floozy, Ginny thought sourly as she followed Colin inside, back into the crowded ballroom. The orchestra was playing an enchanting tune, causing Ginny to sway in her place. She turned to find Colin, but he had wandered off as soon as they entered the room. She huffed angrily to herself.
Ginny felt a slight tap on her shoulder. A charming young man, the young man Draco had been talking with earlier, extended his hand to her. She looked closer at his perfectly shaped face, noting that he was, in fact, not so young after all.
"A pretty little lady such as yourself should be out on the dance floor, not standing here all alone. May I do the honors?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. Ginny giggled like a young schoolgirl, accepting his hand.
He swept her off onto the floor. The way he held her coaxed a smile from her lips, she was glad to finally be dancing. The man pulled her close as the orchestra slowed its tune to the engaging melody of a love song. He swayed back and forth, their bodies moving in perfect rhythm. She had never danced with anyone like this; it was so graceful, just fluid motion. She laid her head on his shoulder, her cheek colliding with the white collar of his dress robes.
"The name's Zabini, Blaise Zabini..." he whispered into her ear as one of his chocolate curls fell in front of his face. Ginny replied with her name, inhaling the sweet scent that surrounded him. Shifting her weight in his hands, she felt comfortable, staying in that position, complacent, for quite some time.
"You went to Hogwarts, a Gryffindor if I'm correct?" he sighed as the song ended. She drew away from him, nodding her head.
"How did you know?" she asked, completely bemused.
"I have my ways, oh Draco!" Blaise replied nonchalantly as Draco approached them. He sauntered up, just as he used to, looking from Blaise to Ginny.
"Care to introduce me to your little friend?" he asked raising his eyebrow at Blaise. Tugging at the collar of his emerald green robe, Draco readjusted the silver serpent clasp. So, he doesn't recognize me... Ginny grinned to herself.
"Actually, I must be finding my date, if you'll excuse me," Ginny politely pardoned herself, walking away. She barely caught Blaise scolding Draco for scaring her off.
Ginny straightened her back, swaying her hips a bit, just in case they were looking at her. Though she highly doubted they were, she flipped her hair, pushing it out of her face sexily. Although the room was noisy and crowded with people, she distinguished the sound of footsteps coming towards her.
"Do I scare you?" she heard Draco sneer as he walked up behind her. She turned to him, offering him one word, in the exact same tone she had years ago.
"No." Not wanting to make any more conversation with him, she turned her back, surveying everyone in the room swaying gracefully to the music. She still could not find Colin. Draco sighed, turning her roughly to him.
"It is rather rude to ignore the host of the ball you know," he snapped. Ginny couldn't help but grin. He really didn't remember her.
"Yes, but when one was tortured by a certain host, one has all the right in the world to do as she pleases," Ginny replied tartly, turning once more to the room. Her cold shoulder blades tensed, signaling that she didn't wish to continue the conversation.
Colin came bounding up, knowing that something was wrong. Ginny smiled, relieved, kissing him square on the mouth, directly in front of Draco.
"Oh, hello Schnookums, I was beginning to worry!" she cooed, running her hand around the collar of his dress robes affectionately. Ginny turned back to Draco.
"You wouldn't happen to have any... toast here, would you?" she sneered, watching gleefully as Draco quickly excused himself and dashed off to the bathroom.
She turned back to Colin. "Well, are you going to ask me to dance, or just sit there like a bump on a log all evening?" she batted her eyelashes coyly. He chuckled, sweeping her off onto the dance floor.
***
"Do you know who that bloody redhead is Zabini?" Draco barked from inside the toilet. Blaise stood, leaning on the outside of the door, a smirk on his face.
"Which one? There are plenty of redheads here," Blaise choked out, trying not to burst out laughing. She was the only redhead there.
"The one in the gold dress," Draco hissed from inside the bathroom. Blaise could hear him zipping up his pants.
"Which gold dress? There are plenty of gold dresses here," Blaise continued, becoming very irksome.
"Goddamn it Zabini, do you know her or not?" Draco roared, pulling the door open.
"Yes I do," he chortled, holding out each word with pleasure, watching as Draco began to itch with irritation. After a pause, Draco spoke up again,
"Well?"
"You knew her back in seventh year, quite well, if I may say..." Blaise finished, looking around the room as if the topic was boring him, though it wasn't the case. Draco choked, his eyes growing wide.
"Oh Merlin!" he spat, disgust dripping from his voice. He swiftly turned from Blaise to find her, he had unfinished business to attend to.
***
Ginny collapsed onto her kitchen chair. She took off her left shoe, rubbing her foot gingerly. Colin looked down at her, a little mad, but still content. Ginny looked up at him, worried.
"Are you mad I made you leave early?" she asked apologetically, her eyes growing wide.
"No, of course not," he sighed sitting down next to her. She tilted her head to the side, looking up at him.
Colin placed his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his hand, smiling back at her. Ginny kicked off her other shoe, standing up. She walked backwards, motioning him to follow her. She disappeared into her bedroom. He stood up, not sure of what she was doing, but followed her anyway.
Ginny turned off all the lights in her room. Picking up her wand, she transfigured some of her dirty clothes into candles. She lighted them, sending them up into the air. Colin entered the room as she was lighting the candles with a flick of her wand. He wrapped his arms around her, placing his shoulder in the dip of her neck, kissing it lightly.
Ginny felt his lips caress her neck as she placed her wand on her bedside table. She rolled her head back, a low moan escaping her lips. She turned to face him, but before she could do anything, his lips were on her own. Ginny closed her eyes as she let his tongue slip into her mouth, tickling her insides.
Ginny broke away from him, sitting down on her bed. She motioned for him to sit down next to her. He cocked his head to the side, hesitating, but sat down none the less. She kissed his lips, her hands twirling his hair. Colin scooped her into his lap, letting his hands rest on her hips as he kissed her nose.
"We should wait," he sighed looking at her pleadingly.
"For what Colin?" Ginny snapped, jumping off his lap. He winced, but held to his views.
"I want you to have the fairytale, and I just can't give you that right now. I think it would be best if I just went home." Colin mumbled, standing up. He grabbed his wand, but before he went he kissed Ginny lightly on her forehead.
"I love you," he whispered before he disapperated with a soft pop. Ginny growled under her breath, charming the candles onto various spots on her table. Ginny moved to her dresser, pulling out a pair of sky blue pajamas. She took her dress off, slipping the pajamas on. She jumped at a soft knock at the door. Thinking it was Colin; she rushed to her front door, whipping it open.
"You're back-" she began, but stopped upon seeing a harsh face and cold gray eyes. Ginny narrowed her eyes, slamming the door in his face. She turned her back to the door, but stopped as he knocked again. Rolling her eyes she opened the door.
"What do you want?" she spat bitterly, narrowing her warm eyes at him. He laughed, walking into her flat.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ginny screeched, trying to herd him out the door.
"I want you to take that silly spell off of me," he replied lamely, turning to her. She stared at him blankly for a moment, but burst out laughing remembering the curse she had placed on him back at school. He narrowed his eyes, walking up to her. Ginny backed up, suddenly afraid, allowing him to pin her to the wall. She looked up at him curtly.
"I don't think I will," she snapped, trying to wriggle away from him.
"Do it, now!" he roared, pushing Ginny back to him. Ginny's eyes widened with fear. Still, she shook her head no. His eye twitched.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly. She could smell his sweet breath rolling across her face, knowing that he was trying to seduce her. Her heartbeat began to quicken with the realization of how close their bodies were. Her breathing became quick and short, her chest heaving. Draco smiled upon her reaction.
"Say yes," he cooed, twirling a tendril of her hair in his finger. Ginny closed her eyes with pleasure, biting her bottom lip. She shook her head 'no' all the same. Draco lifted his hand to her cheek, his thumb caressing her milky skin.
"Come now, give me the counter-curse," he sighed, a sweet ring in his voice. She managed to whimper out no, though her body was urging her to do anything he wanted. She licked her lips, noting their close proximity. Unwillingly her eyes wandered across his face, her gaze fixed on his soft lips just as they had years ago.
"Say yes Virginia," Draco pressed, pulling his face close to hers. Ginny couldn't help but looking into his gray eyes. Draco grinned, bending his face to hers.
"Give me the counter-curse or I will ask for favors of family friends to pull strings with their jobs," he hissed, his head moving towards her ear. His voice was sharp and cutting, sending shivers up and down Ginny's spine. "I you still refuse will hex everyone in your family, make them die a slow and wriggling death, throwing their carcasses to my dogs." Suddenly Draco pushed her away, awaiting her answer. Her body scraped against the wall, her head hanging low. Curls of hair covered her face.
Raising her head, her eyes looked up at him through the curtain of her hair. "Fine" He sneered, a cruel grimace lighting his face.
Ginny pushed away from him, anger surging through her body, hobbling into her room. Draco followed her curiously, watching as she bent over her trunk, throwing various rolls of parchment aside. Not finding what she was looking for, she sat down, tearing the trunk apart in her search. Finally she turned to him, a roll of parchment tied with a red bow in her hand. She held it up, a cruel smile on her face.
"Well then?" Draco asked, looking at her blankly. She let a cruel smile play at the corners of her lips. Seeing that he was going to make no effort to come and get it, she left it on the floor for him to get. She would not be his servant. He looked at her blankly for a moment, expecting her to hand him the roll of parchment. She simply walked out of the room, plopping down on her couch. He paused for a moment, but wound up bending down to grab the parchment. Without another word, he strode out of her flat.
Ginny couldn't help but chuckle, knowing she would be seeing him sometime soon, at least once he found out it wasn't the correct counter-curse. Sure, it takes care of the toast thing, but I still hold this over you Malfoy… she thought cynically to herself. Suddenly realizing that she hadn't seen her cat since she got back, she began to search for her.