He had laid in bed for the last hour before he dragged himself up to get dressed. His nerves had gotten the best of him. He had made a decision and now it was causing butterflies to take residence in his stomach.
Today was the day. In the background he could almost hear some sappy ballad. This was it though. No matter what anyone else said or thought he was going to follow it through. What was holding him back really? His friends would get over it if he really ever had any friends. The two oafs that used to follow him around are nothing more than an unpleasant memory. Now his family is something else. His father would kill him...and even possibly her. Maybe his mother could grow with the idea. She does make him happy and would certainly know how to put the arrogant Malfoy in his place.
Fixing his hair and checking his teeth one more time in the mirror he headed out. He had already showered and primped himself. After all if she was going to fall in his arms and express her undying love for him he couldn't smell ripe now could he?
He thought he told her to meet him outside the common room. Yet as he looked around he didn't see her. Leaning against the wall not too far away was a couple but that wasn't her. She was supposed to be alone and not with Jonathon hanging all over her. Besides Ginny had long red hair and...shit! The girl being draped upon by the newest Slytherin had red hair. A loose curl was being twisted against the tall boy's finger.
"Virginia," he hissed ordering his legs to move. They certainly weren't going to on their own accord. "What's going on here?!" he ordered.
Ginny, at least, had the audacity to straighten up and pull herself away from the dark haired boy. Jonathon moved as well. Although it was a lethargic move he followed with an unnecessary yawn that was decidedly over the top.
"Draco," she said her cheeks flushed red. "I was waiting for you out here and-"
"And I was just keeping the little Gryffindorf company. She certainly shouldn't be the kind to be left alone Draco. Who knows what could happen when you're not there to watch." Draco's eyes narrowed at the obvious threat. A Malfoy doesn't take well to threats.
"I'm fine!" she insisted looking quickly at Jonathon with a scowl but then back to Draco. Her normally beautiful face was marred with a frown. Was it a look of guilt? With one simple expression was she lying the cards on the table?
"Did I interrupt something?" he asked his voice cold.
"No, of course not. Draco, please let's go." She looked at him with pleading brown eyes but he ignored them. Ignoring them was easy but not the gnawing thoughts in his head and the feeling in his stomach.
"Cloke what were you doing? Can't find your own friends?"
"Friend?" he asked with a wave of his hand. "Is that what we're calling her now?"
"What?" she asked softly.
"Nothing," he said waving her off. "You knew we were meeting out here."
"Draco I can assure you I have a life of my own and don't need to partake in yours."
"Then get your own Gryffindorf," he hissed through clenched teeth. Jonathon raised one eyebrow.
"Oh, are they giving them away now? What do I have to buy first?"
"Buy?! I didn't have to buy anything! Everyone knows Weasley's are dirt poor and would do anything to be seen with a Malfoy."
"Oh?"
"You wouldn't have enough money even if it came down to it."
"Draco," Ginny whispered her voice a bit deflated. He only held a hand telling her to wait on it. The men were talking here, and she needn't worry herself with it.
"Is money all that matters to you? Really Draco I thought you would have figured it out by now. Money can not buy happiness."
"Happiness?! Who in the hell said anything about happiness? I told you to back off! She's not yours!"
"And she's not yours either." Jonathon crossed his arms over his chest and leaning back against the wall cross his foot in front of the other at the ankle.
"Dammit if she's isn't!" he yelled. "All the time and effort I put in and you are not going to take that away from me!"
"Draco!" Ginny yelled at him making his head snapped in her direction. "How dare you talk about me like that!"
"Like what?" he asked his chest heaving and his hands clenched in fists. "It's the truth! You Weasleys are the same. You're all so predictable and see through. Your brother gets a hard on following Potter around basking in his sidekick status. You! You'd fall to your knees for a guy if he'd throw you a sickle or two. I know your type Weasley," he promised. "Someone pays an ounce of attention or interest in you and then your little dirty greedy hands are down his pants digging."
"Is that what you really believe?" she asked her voice clear and calm.
"Believe?" he scoffed. "Look at your clothes Weasley," he said with a swing of his hands gesturing to her casual clothing. It was a Saturday and with no classes they were lax in clothing. She was wearing nothing out of the ordinary. It was just a simple t-shirt with a pair of faded jeans topped off with her comfortable broke in trainers. Only a Malfoy would look immaculate every day of the week. "I think maybe you should have opened your eyes before you dressed yourself."
"My house elf had the day off," she said nonchalantly.
"Your family could never afford a house elf even if it was free." Jonathon chuckled to himself and Ginny frowned at the blonde.
"That was weak."
"Why am I still here?!" he cried glaring at her. "I obviously was just a stepping stone here. Although I do think you went down rather than up," he said looking pointedly at the dark haired boy. "I'm done with this. It seems that you spread your legs for every one that can spluttered empty promises to you!"
He started to turn and walk to the great hall when his arm was caught. Jerking his head to the hand holding onto him he followed it up to a pair of brown eyes. They were intense with emotion but torn between anger and tears. In an instant he pulled away from her grasp and glared at her.
"I am done with you," he hissed loud enough for just her ears.
She simply nodded at him and allowed him to storm off. His feet pounding on the heavy bricked floor where he was preceding to breakfast...
"Draco? Draco?" a soft voice called out still heavy with sleep.
He was sitting at window seat looking at her from across the room. The fire was still stirring and he could make out her delicate features from his position. She had been curled around him before he had woken up from his nightmare. Only it really hadn't been a dream. It was more like a memory. A memory he wished with all his might that would be erased from the minds of all present.
"Right here Gin," he responded softly not wanting to startle her nor worry her about his missing presence.
"Why are you up?" she asked sitting up slowly still fighting off sleep.
"Nothing," he said getting up quickly and going to her. He didn't want her out of bed where it was nice and warm. "Nothing," he repeated softly as he sat down beside her and wrapped her in his arms.
"Why were you way over there?" she asked her voice muffled against his neck.
"Just thinking and I couldn't very well do that with you in my bed could I?" She smiled against his neck and pulled him down with her. They shared the pillow and a soft kiss as she pulled the covers over him.
"Come back to sleep. I can't sleep without you," she murmured already drifting off again.
"Okay," he whispered his fingertips dancing over the features he loved so much on her face. He trailed a fingertip over the bridge of her cute little button nose, traced a thin arched eyebrow, and lingered over her pouty lips that were relaxed and slightly parted. "Gin?" he whispered hoping she was asleep but wishing she was awake.
"Hmm?" an incoherent mumble came from her direction.
"Forgive me?" he breathed his fingers moving to tuck a strand of her messed red curls behind a ear.
"Already have."
"I love you," he choked and swallowed the lump in his throat down violently. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," she said opening her eyes again.
"And you're mine?" he asked desperately wanting the answer to be in the affirmative.
"Always," she promised catching his hand and bring it to her lips. She kissed his palm and then lacing their fingers together tucked it under her chin. "And you're mine."
"Forever and always," he said with a shaky smile. "Before I even knew it."
"Okay," she whispered mirroring his effort on her face. "I think we should get some rest now." She closed her eyes but then opened them a minute later. Draco was still awake watching her intently. "I'll be here when you wake."
"I know," he said his eyes though gave away his uncertainty.
"Go to sleep love," she ordered. He sighed softly and after a half fast glare at him he relented. Closing his eyes he pulled her to him and almost immediately fell asleep. It was from the warmth of her body pressed against him and the rhythmic lure of her deep breathing against his neck. Within five minutes he was in the clutches of a deep sleep where no nightmares could follow him.