Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter Characters. Some objects or situations may seem familiar. I only own the plot of this story. =)
Author Note: This is my first Ginny/Draco fanfiction. Don't flame horribly if the story sounds corny. =) This story is set at the end of the war between Harry and Voldemort (assumingly it ended in Draco's 5th year and Ginny's 4th year). Sorry but if you wanted a 1 short romance story; this story is really not for you. I guess I will let the characters grow from first friendship then lovers. Much of the story is inspired by my relationship with my boyfriend as well as from other fanfic authors and romance movies. Last but not least, sorry for my bad language -it's been a long time since I wrote a story. I'll shall my long winded story and began with Draco and Ginny's.
"Speaking"
'Thinking'
Emphasis/Shouting
The Bench By The Lake – Chapter One
Draco has just made his rounds around the castle for his prefect duties. It is unusual for any prefect to do their rounds in the middle of the day. However, because of recent events (that was how Professor Dumbledore put it) it was necessary for prefects to stop any trouble caused.
'More like recent pranksters and stopping chaos.' Draco thought as walked out of the castle.
Draco ran his fingers through his blond hair and sighed. Draco knew who the pranksters were. How can he not know? He can't possibility make himself deaf and blind when his Slytherin housemates basically asked him to joined the fun. With his Malfoy reputation at stake, he can't directly refuse Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle. He decided to fund the pranks with the best tricks he could get instead.
'I guess we Slytherins have to do everything discreetly after the war. If not, we are taken as Deatheaters.' Draco sighed at that thought.
After the battle between Potter and Voldemort ended, most of the Deatheaters, who wasn't captured, went into hiding. Draco's father died during the battle. Draco felt sad. Even though his father never really showed fatherly love but Draco knew that without his father, he won't be who he is today. However, even with the death of his father, he has to keep his Malfoy reputation that he created since the start of Hogwards. A Malfoy should not show weakness and a Malfoy is a different class of family comparing to the other purebloods.
After a ten minute walk through the trees from the castle, Draco finally saw his destination - a wooden bench by the lake. Draco found this bench a year ago. He likes the calming affect that the lake and tress bring him. Oddly, this is the only place where he can really be himself and escape from this crazy world of his.
As Draco approached the bench, he saw someone who already at his bench. Specifically it was a Weasley girl.
Draco walked in front of Ginny and blocked her view of the lake. "What are you doing here, Weasley? This bench is mine." He asked and looked at Ginny with disgust.
"I don't see your name on it, Malfoy." said Ginny with smirk, still sitting on the bench.
"I don't see yours." He was ready to prove that the bench 'belongs' to him. However, what was said next shocked both of them.
"I wrote my name on the bench!!"Both of them said at the same time.
"WHAT???" They yelled at the same time (again). They stared wide eyed at each other.
Draco craved his name on the right side of the bench, so instinctively he went to the left side of the bench to check for Ginny's name. Indeed, Ginny Weasley was craved on the wooden seat. Ginny went to check the right side and too found his name.
"I can't believe it!" Ginny said and glared at Draco. Ginny went to sit at the left side of the bench. Draco guessed that is the place she usually sat.
"I thought I can escape from all the idiotic people, all the idiotic responsibilities and finally have the peace that I wanted but nooooo! I'm stuck with a Weasley." Draco sat on the right of Ginny.
"Shut up, Malfoy. I came here to relax too. So keep quiet."
Amazingly, neither of them did say a single word after that. Anybody who saw this sight of a Weasley and a Malfoy sitting quietly on a bench together must thought that the world has come to an end.
"Malfoy?" Ginny asked, breaking the silence.
"What? I thought you wanted peace and quiet?" said Draco, without his usual taunting voice. 'I can't believe that I let my guarded down!' thought Draco as wondered if the Weasley girl heard a change in his tone.
"Let's have a truce, Malfoy. At least at the bench, let's be civil with each other. I don't want to get into a fight for every time we see each other here. Seeing how much this bench means to you Malfoy, I think you would agree with me." Said Ginny with her eyes closed.
"Fine." Draco can't believe that he has just has a mutual agreement with a Weasley. "Another thing, can you please call me Ginny? Not Weasley. Apparently, I'm not my brother. Right, Draco?"
"What?!!! I don't have to be in first name basis with you, Weasley. The thought of that makes my hair stand!" Draco yelled. He was shock beyond belief that a Weasley, or any Weasley for that matter, would even suggest this.
Ginny opened her eyes and glared at Draco. "Yes, Mr high and mighty who can't even associate with a poor and muggle-loving Weasley. Don't you hate how people treat you based on your family name? You have to act and behave on the reputation of your family. Of course, I still love my family but every time people see me, they only recognise me as Ron's little sister or any of my brothers' little sister for that matter. What about me? What about this girl," Ginny points at herself. "What about Ginny Weasley?"
'Oh wonderful, I have an emotional Weasley girl pouring out her feelings and I have to listen to her...' thought Draco. Before he was able to say anything, Ginny beat him to it.
"I don't know how much of your 'Malfoy mask' is real. The evil and stuck up school bully. I believe there is more to you that. Just think about it. Do people see you, Draco?" Ginny stood up, clearly upset. "I really hope you will consider this." Ginny ran back to castle, leaving Draco dumbfounded on the bench by the lake.
Today, Draco realised two things. One, Weasley owns half of this wooden bench. Two, even though he refused to admit it openly, they are quite similar despite the all the differences they have. Both Ginny and Draco yearned for acceptance from people around them.
"Maybe it is not totally awful that you own half of this bench, Ginny." Draco whispered to no one in particular as he watched clouds floating across the horizon.
To be continued...
YAY! It's done! Please do review this story and tell me how you feel about it. I'll answer any question that you have for me regarding chapter 1. Chapter 2 will be in Ginny's POV after the incident with Draco. Will Draco be civil to Ginny even in the school? Will they meet again at the bench? Will they eventually become friends? Stay tune for the next chapter!
Don't expect Draco to have a 180 degree change!
Love,
Angela