*Disclaimer* All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. 'Don't Tell Me To Stop' Belongs to Madonna.
Don't Tell Me To Stop
******************************
(In a small apartment in Hogsmeade)
Ginny gave up on the letter she was writing to Harry, and threw her quill down in frustration.
Ron looked up lazily from where he lay on Ginny's bed.
"What's wrong Gin?" He slurred.
Ginny shushed him.
"Ron, I promised I would hide you from Hermione as long as you didn't make any noise, you drunken idiot!" She hissed.
Ron dropped his head of fiery red hair back onto the bed and began snoring loudly. Ginny rolled her eyes and whipped out her wand.
"Inaudibus." She whispered.
Ron's snore's became silent. She couldn't even hear him breathing, even though his chest moved like he was.
Ginny was about to go back to writing when an owl flew through her open window and ropped a letter on her desk in front of her. It flew to a water and food dish that Ginny always kept for owls, and began eating.
Ginny opened the letter, and found it was addressed from Harry. With mild curiosity, she opened up the parchment and began reading.
*Ginny-
It's been a while since I last saw you and the others. How are they doing? I'm not doing too great with Sirius. He got sick, so I've been taking care of him for the past couple of weeks. I'm in Transylvannia, right near where Charlie is. I saw him just yesterday. Other than that, I haven't seen a lot. Oh, I started this letter about a week before I sent it, so Sirius is better now. And would you come with me to the Hogwarts Class Reunion? I have nobody else to go with. Send me an owl!
-Harry*
Ginny turned the parchment over, and frowned. There was nothing.
"Ginny?" Have you seen Ron?" Ginny almost jumped at the sound of Hermione's voice.
"No I haven't. Sorry." Ginny answered, popping ehr head through the door and looking sleepy. "Listen, I've been working hard all day. Do you think maybe I can have some privacy? I'm really tired."
Hermione nodded sympathetically.
"Okay Gin. But wake up Ron before you go to bed." She said, looking very smug as she walekd down the hall to her and Ron's room.
Ginny sighed and closed the door. She woke up Ron with a kick and he rolled off of her bed with a heavy thud.
Ron looked at her sleepily and began babbling, but no sound came out.
Ginny pointed her wand at his throat and did the counterspell.
"Audibus. Now Ron, Hermione wants you in your room. She found you in here. Just try not to act drunk."
Ron stumbled out the door and down the hall, and Ginny finally got a chance to be alone. She sat down at her desk and opened up a box full of pictures. She lifted out a picture gingerly, as though it would fall apart. It was of her and all of her friends at her graduation, her in the center. On her left side were Hermione, Ron, and Percy. On her right side were Harry, Colin, and Draco.
Everybody had been surprised when Draco returned from summer to his fifth year a more sensitive, caring person. He didn't sneer and snarl as much, only when he was very angry, and he got along with her and the others well enough. Ginny smiled as she remembered Ron's expression when Draco had gone up to Ginny and smiled nicely before he told her he wouldn't be bothering her anymore.
Ginny giggled as she put the picture into a frame and put the frame on her desk.
Ginny looekd at the owl, perched on her windowsill, and remembered Harry's letter. She picked up a new piece of parchment and a quill and began writing.
*Harry-
Everyone is just fine, myself included. I'm glad Sirius is better, and I hope he stays that way. And of course I'll go the the reunion with you. One more thing, say hello to Charlie for me.
-Ginny*
Ginny rolled up the parchment, put her seal on it (a small bird) with hot wax, and gave it to the owl to go off with.
The owl hooted when Ginny tied the letter to its leg and flew off, leaving Ginny truly alone this time.
******************************
(In an old castle on the countryside)
Draco stared out the window of his bedroom, wisps of blond hair blowing around his face.
A woman came into his bedroom silently, and slipped her hands onto his shoulders.
"Draco..." She whispered.
Draco shrugged the woman off and turned to look at her sternly.
"I've told you before, and I'll tell you again." Draco growled, stabbing a finger into her chest. "Don't come near me you hoar!"
The woman pouted, and tried to look innocent.
"Well, could you at least spare a few galleons?" She purred, putting her hands on his chest and trying to look irresistable.
Draco shoved her away, and she stopped stumbling only when her back hit the wall. She stood, her eyes blazing, and left the room in a swirl of skirts.
The heavy wooden door slammed, shut, but Draco didn't flinch. He just turned back to his window and stared at the moon. He would be leaving for the reunion at Hogwarts the next day, his luggage for the stay was already packed in his trunk.
Draco wondered who would be there, maybe Ginny Weasley would be there. Draco caught himself before he could begin dreaming and shut the thought down. He thought of Ginny almost as the sister he never had.
Footsteps of guards passed by his door, the heavy clanging of chain mail and swords as they marched through the halls.
Draco moved away from his window, and stretched out on his soft bed. Almost as soon as his head reached the pillow, he was asleep.
******************************
(In Hogsmeade, early morning)
Ginny answered the door lazily, expecting to see the apartment house elf.
"Hello, Ginny."
Ginny's eyes widened and she threw her arms around the figure at the door.
"Harry!" She cried, throwing him off balance.
Harry stumbled a bit, but returned the embrace. Ginny pulled away and looked at Harry angrily.
"What in bloody hell took you so long, Harry!" She demanded, her hands on her hips.
Harry smiled at her and took a tentative step towards the door.
"Well, I would say if I was in the apartmentt, that I'm glad to be here."
Ginny grabbed his arm and puleld him inside the aprtment.
"Forget it, Harry. Just come in and have a seat while I fix us some tea."
Ginny gave Harry a little shove and he landed on one of the overstuffed chairs near the fireplace. As Ginny left to go into the next room, Harry watched her with a critical eye. She had grown up since he last saw her. Had it really been almost five years?
Ginny came back into the room and tossed herself into one of the chairs, her legs over one of the arms and her back resting on the other arm.
"The water is boiling." She said simply, and examined a little trinket around her neck.
Harry bent over to see just what it was, but Ginny hid it from sight with a playful grin.
"You should know what it is, Harry. You gave it to me, remember?"
He didn't. Ginny could tell by the look on his face. She brought the trinket back into the light, and held it out for Harry to see.
"That's my Quidditch ring." Harry said with a smile.
Ginny nodded, and dropped it so it fell back to her chest.
"It's the only jewelry I wear." She admitted. "I-"
A hissing noise from the kitchen interrupted Ginny, and she swept away without another word.
Ron walked into the room, and spotted Harry gazing at where Ginny had gone.
"Harry!" He cried.
Harry found himself wrapped up in a big bear-hug. When Ron put him down, he was gasping for breath.
"Hey Ron." He choked out.
Ginny came back in with the tea, and spotted Ron.
"How's your head? Take my tea, I'll get another one." She said, and flit away just like before.
Harry stared after her, and Ron frowned until Harry spoke again.
"Ginny really turned out to be something...different." He mumbled, sinking back into the chair.
Ron sat down on another overstuffed chair, still frowning as he sipped his tea.
"Yeah. I know."
******************************
(In the castle)
Draco tossed his trunk into the back of the carriage and climbed in. He was travelling alone, always had.
The women from the castle all stoodoutside, crying and waving their handkerchiefs at him as his carriage roleld away.
Draco ignored them all, especially Pansy. Pansy had changed, but not much, after she finished school. She was the woman who tried to get money from Draco the night before, and it had gone on like that for months.
Draco stopped his train of thought before it could go back to the days when he would spend nights out with Ginny, just hanging around Hogsmeade for hours. He had to admit he missed her, along with the rest of his friends. The Slytherins had become...sinister. Their talk of You-Know-Who rising again scared him, how they spoke with such passion about that murderer.
"Draco, why did you leave without me?"
Draco looked up sharply at Pansy, posing prettily on the seat across from him. Draco snarled at her, ready to snap, but she pouted at him.
"Don't you want me?" She purred, reaching out and sliding her hands all over him.
Draco took her hands and looked into her face, as though he realized something.
"Of course I want you..." He said, and Pansy smiled. "To go away!"
Draco had the carriage stop, and he shoved Pansy out the door. Pansy scowled after the carriage as it rolled away, faster than before.
Draco closed his eyes and dragged his hand through his hair. He seriously hoped that the rest of the trip would go smoother than it had begun.
"If I see Ginny, maybe everything will be alright." He murmured to the empty carriage.
Draco pulled out a book and began reading.
******************************
(In Hogsmeade)
Ginny stood at the kitchen sink, doing the dinner dishes.
Harry crept up behind her, and slipped his arms around her slim waist.
Ginny tensed up, and dropped the pan she had been scrubbing into the soapy water.
"Harry, what are you doing?" She demanded.
Ginny felt something moist on her neck, and she pulled away.
Harry stood, looking down at the floor. He seemed ashamed of himself, good.
"Ginny...I'm sorry." Harry mumbled.
Ginny glared at him, and left the room in a hurry. She just couldn't understand why he wanted to ruin a completely perfect friendship with...heat.
The door to Ginny's room slamemd shut, making the whole apartment quiver for just a moment.
Harry stood, completely still, in the kitchen. What had he done?
******************************
(Hogsmeade)
Draco looked up at the hotel. It was old, but still regal looking. He dragged his trunk up the steps to the inside, refusing help from his chaufer.
"Hello sir. Will you be wanting a room?" An elderly witch at a polished marble counter asked him, her smile broad and genuine.
Draco nodded, and left his trunk at the door.
"A room for one, please. I'll be staying for a few weeks." He mumbled, taking out his Wizard Express Card.
The elderly witch swiped his card, and gave him the keys to a room.
"Have a nice stay." She chirped, and a bellhop scurried off with his trunk to his room.
Draco opened the door to room C4, and looked around with mild interest. The whole room was furnished in cream colors, and through an open white door he saw a bathroom with a cream colored marble bathtub.
"Have a good stay." The bellhop said cheerfully, tipping his hat and leaving.
Draco pulled his trunk to the end of the bed and opened the window that opened out to the street.
"Ginny! I said I was sorry!"
Draco looked down at the street, his neck muscle almost spasmed at the quick movement.
He saw a tall, slender girl with flaming red hair walking quickly down the street. Behind her, was Harry Potter.
Draco smirked. They were probably having a lover's quarrel.
He would catch up with them later, Draco thought. Right then he wanted to go to the pub and get a butterbeer.
******************************
(Hogsmeade)
Ginny ignored Harry as she walked quickly to the pub. When she reached the door, she whirled around to face him, ehr wand pointed at him.
"Don't come near me right now, Harry. I've learned quite a few curses, and I'm willing to use them."
Harry's face turned ashen gray, and he headed back to the apartment.
Ginny entered the pub, and got a butterbeer from the front before she sat down at a corner table.
Ginny took a gulp of ehr drink and set it back on the table, sulking visibly.
"Is this seat taken?"
Ginny looked up, ready to snap at Harry, but instead found herself looking into the intense dark eyes of Draco Malfoy.
"Draco..." Ginny breathed as Draco sat across from her.
Draco smirked, not his nasty smirk, and set down his butterbeer.
"Hello Ginny. It's been a while."
Ginny nodded dumbly.
"Nearly five years, Draco. Where have you been? I didn't even get so much as an owl from you."
Draco took a gulp of his butterbeer and stared into it as he set it down again.
"I've been living at Slytherin castle. You have no idea how horrible it is there." He answered.
Ginny put her hand over his, and smiled at him like the sisterly person she was.
"You know you can tell me anything, Draco. Even after all these years, you're still like another brother to me."
Draco smiled back, and took her hand. It was an affectionate gesture, but not to an extent.
"Pansy is the village bicycle now." Draco mused. "Everyone had a ride. She seems to see me as a challenge, I suppose."
Ginny giggled and took another swig of her drink.
"Well, she always did have that type of personality, you know." Ginny laughed.
Ginny felt a bit strange. A couple of minutes before, she would have been glad if You-Know-Who just hit her down. Now, she didn't want anything but to talk with her 'brother'.
"Yes, I suppose she did." Draco grinned at her. "You live in Hogsmeade now?"
Ginny sighed and nodded. Draco decided to pry a bit further.
"I heard you and Harry before. Having a lover's quarrel?" He teased.
Ginny looked up and her hand flit out quickly. Draco covered his eye in pain.
"Ginny, that hurt!" He whined.
Ginny grinned maliciously.
"Well, good. Me and Harry were NOT having a lover's quarrel, as you so bluntly put it. I'm mad at him, going and ruining a perfectly good friendship." She mumbled the last part of it, so Draco could hardly hear.
Draco rubbed his eye, and took another drink.
"So, what did he do?"
Ginny frowned. She really didn't want to say, but Draco would probably find out eventually.
"Harry...kissed me. I didn't want him to, but he did. And now the whole friendship is spoiled!"
Ginny put her head down on the table and covered it with her arms, as though she was so tense she was having a breakdown.
A couple of people from another table stared at thm until Draco sneered at them. They turned back to each other and began talking feverishly.
"Ginny, don't be mad at him."
Ginny looked up at Draco, a bit confused.
"What do you mean, Draco?"
Draco dragged his hand through his hair uneasily.
"I mean, you've changed over the years, Gin. You're...grown up. I guess Harry noticed it, but a bit too much, the stupid git." Draco muttered the last part under his breath, so Ginny wouldn't hear.
Ginny waved her hand carelessly, and drained the last of her butterbeer.
"I shouldn't be troubling you, Draco. I just saw you after five years." She mumbled.
Draco finished off his butterbeer, and took her hand again.
"What have you been doing for the past five years?" He asked, so serious that it made Ginny laugh.
Ginny wiped away the tears from her bout of laughter, and apoligized.
"Sorry for laughing, Draco. It's just that my life for the past few years has been such bloody bullshit that I just can't wait to get life over with."
Draco lifted a brow curiously, but not without that look of concern.
"What do you mean, Ginny?"
Ginny took his other hand, now holding them both, and smiled grimly at the tabletop.
"You wouldn't understand, Draco. It's all terribly confusing."
Draco tilted her chin up so that she would look at him.
"Try me."
******************************
Don't Tell Me To Stop
******************************
(In a small apartment in Hogsmeade)
Ginny gave up on the letter she was writing to Harry, and threw her quill down in frustration.
Ron looked up lazily from where he lay on Ginny's bed.
"What's wrong Gin?" He slurred.
Ginny shushed him.
"Ron, I promised I would hide you from Hermione as long as you didn't make any noise, you drunken idiot!" She hissed.
Ron dropped his head of fiery red hair back onto the bed and began snoring loudly. Ginny rolled her eyes and whipped out her wand.
"Inaudibus." She whispered.
Ron's snore's became silent. She couldn't even hear him breathing, even though his chest moved like he was.
Ginny was about to go back to writing when an owl flew through her open window and ropped a letter on her desk in front of her. It flew to a water and food dish that Ginny always kept for owls, and began eating.
Ginny opened the letter, and found it was addressed from Harry. With mild curiosity, she opened up the parchment and began reading.
*Ginny-
It's been a while since I last saw you and the others. How are they doing? I'm not doing too great with Sirius. He got sick, so I've been taking care of him for the past couple of weeks. I'm in Transylvannia, right near where Charlie is. I saw him just yesterday. Other than that, I haven't seen a lot. Oh, I started this letter about a week before I sent it, so Sirius is better now. And would you come with me to the Hogwarts Class Reunion? I have nobody else to go with. Send me an owl!
-Harry*
Ginny turned the parchment over, and frowned. There was nothing.
"Ginny?" Have you seen Ron?" Ginny almost jumped at the sound of Hermione's voice.
"No I haven't. Sorry." Ginny answered, popping ehr head through the door and looking sleepy. "Listen, I've been working hard all day. Do you think maybe I can have some privacy? I'm really tired."
Hermione nodded sympathetically.
"Okay Gin. But wake up Ron before you go to bed." She said, looking very smug as she walekd down the hall to her and Ron's room.
Ginny sighed and closed the door. She woke up Ron with a kick and he rolled off of her bed with a heavy thud.
Ron looked at her sleepily and began babbling, but no sound came out.
Ginny pointed her wand at his throat and did the counterspell.
"Audibus. Now Ron, Hermione wants you in your room. She found you in here. Just try not to act drunk."
Ron stumbled out the door and down the hall, and Ginny finally got a chance to be alone. She sat down at her desk and opened up a box full of pictures. She lifted out a picture gingerly, as though it would fall apart. It was of her and all of her friends at her graduation, her in the center. On her left side were Hermione, Ron, and Percy. On her right side were Harry, Colin, and Draco.
Everybody had been surprised when Draco returned from summer to his fifth year a more sensitive, caring person. He didn't sneer and snarl as much, only when he was very angry, and he got along with her and the others well enough. Ginny smiled as she remembered Ron's expression when Draco had gone up to Ginny and smiled nicely before he told her he wouldn't be bothering her anymore.
Ginny giggled as she put the picture into a frame and put the frame on her desk.
Ginny looekd at the owl, perched on her windowsill, and remembered Harry's letter. She picked up a new piece of parchment and a quill and began writing.
*Harry-
Everyone is just fine, myself included. I'm glad Sirius is better, and I hope he stays that way. And of course I'll go the the reunion with you. One more thing, say hello to Charlie for me.
-Ginny*
Ginny rolled up the parchment, put her seal on it (a small bird) with hot wax, and gave it to the owl to go off with.
The owl hooted when Ginny tied the letter to its leg and flew off, leaving Ginny truly alone this time.
******************************
(In an old castle on the countryside)
Draco stared out the window of his bedroom, wisps of blond hair blowing around his face.
A woman came into his bedroom silently, and slipped her hands onto his shoulders.
"Draco..." She whispered.
Draco shrugged the woman off and turned to look at her sternly.
"I've told you before, and I'll tell you again." Draco growled, stabbing a finger into her chest. "Don't come near me you hoar!"
The woman pouted, and tried to look innocent.
"Well, could you at least spare a few galleons?" She purred, putting her hands on his chest and trying to look irresistable.
Draco shoved her away, and she stopped stumbling only when her back hit the wall. She stood, her eyes blazing, and left the room in a swirl of skirts.
The heavy wooden door slammed, shut, but Draco didn't flinch. He just turned back to his window and stared at the moon. He would be leaving for the reunion at Hogwarts the next day, his luggage for the stay was already packed in his trunk.
Draco wondered who would be there, maybe Ginny Weasley would be there. Draco caught himself before he could begin dreaming and shut the thought down. He thought of Ginny almost as the sister he never had.
Footsteps of guards passed by his door, the heavy clanging of chain mail and swords as they marched through the halls.
Draco moved away from his window, and stretched out on his soft bed. Almost as soon as his head reached the pillow, he was asleep.
******************************
(In Hogsmeade, early morning)
Ginny answered the door lazily, expecting to see the apartment house elf.
"Hello, Ginny."
Ginny's eyes widened and she threw her arms around the figure at the door.
"Harry!" She cried, throwing him off balance.
Harry stumbled a bit, but returned the embrace. Ginny pulled away and looked at Harry angrily.
"What in bloody hell took you so long, Harry!" She demanded, her hands on her hips.
Harry smiled at her and took a tentative step towards the door.
"Well, I would say if I was in the apartmentt, that I'm glad to be here."
Ginny grabbed his arm and puleld him inside the aprtment.
"Forget it, Harry. Just come in and have a seat while I fix us some tea."
Ginny gave Harry a little shove and he landed on one of the overstuffed chairs near the fireplace. As Ginny left to go into the next room, Harry watched her with a critical eye. She had grown up since he last saw her. Had it really been almost five years?
Ginny came back into the room and tossed herself into one of the chairs, her legs over one of the arms and her back resting on the other arm.
"The water is boiling." She said simply, and examined a little trinket around her neck.
Harry bent over to see just what it was, but Ginny hid it from sight with a playful grin.
"You should know what it is, Harry. You gave it to me, remember?"
He didn't. Ginny could tell by the look on his face. She brought the trinket back into the light, and held it out for Harry to see.
"That's my Quidditch ring." Harry said with a smile.
Ginny nodded, and dropped it so it fell back to her chest.
"It's the only jewelry I wear." She admitted. "I-"
A hissing noise from the kitchen interrupted Ginny, and she swept away without another word.
Ron walked into the room, and spotted Harry gazing at where Ginny had gone.
"Harry!" He cried.
Harry found himself wrapped up in a big bear-hug. When Ron put him down, he was gasping for breath.
"Hey Ron." He choked out.
Ginny came back in with the tea, and spotted Ron.
"How's your head? Take my tea, I'll get another one." She said, and flit away just like before.
Harry stared after her, and Ron frowned until Harry spoke again.
"Ginny really turned out to be something...different." He mumbled, sinking back into the chair.
Ron sat down on another overstuffed chair, still frowning as he sipped his tea.
"Yeah. I know."
******************************
(In the castle)
Draco tossed his trunk into the back of the carriage and climbed in. He was travelling alone, always had.
The women from the castle all stoodoutside, crying and waving their handkerchiefs at him as his carriage roleld away.
Draco ignored them all, especially Pansy. Pansy had changed, but not much, after she finished school. She was the woman who tried to get money from Draco the night before, and it had gone on like that for months.
Draco stopped his train of thought before it could go back to the days when he would spend nights out with Ginny, just hanging around Hogsmeade for hours. He had to admit he missed her, along with the rest of his friends. The Slytherins had become...sinister. Their talk of You-Know-Who rising again scared him, how they spoke with such passion about that murderer.
"Draco, why did you leave without me?"
Draco looked up sharply at Pansy, posing prettily on the seat across from him. Draco snarled at her, ready to snap, but she pouted at him.
"Don't you want me?" She purred, reaching out and sliding her hands all over him.
Draco took her hands and looked into her face, as though he realized something.
"Of course I want you..." He said, and Pansy smiled. "To go away!"
Draco had the carriage stop, and he shoved Pansy out the door. Pansy scowled after the carriage as it rolled away, faster than before.
Draco closed his eyes and dragged his hand through his hair. He seriously hoped that the rest of the trip would go smoother than it had begun.
"If I see Ginny, maybe everything will be alright." He murmured to the empty carriage.
Draco pulled out a book and began reading.
******************************
(In Hogsmeade)
Ginny stood at the kitchen sink, doing the dinner dishes.
Harry crept up behind her, and slipped his arms around her slim waist.
Ginny tensed up, and dropped the pan she had been scrubbing into the soapy water.
"Harry, what are you doing?" She demanded.
Ginny felt something moist on her neck, and she pulled away.
Harry stood, looking down at the floor. He seemed ashamed of himself, good.
"Ginny...I'm sorry." Harry mumbled.
Ginny glared at him, and left the room in a hurry. She just couldn't understand why he wanted to ruin a completely perfect friendship with...heat.
The door to Ginny's room slamemd shut, making the whole apartment quiver for just a moment.
Harry stood, completely still, in the kitchen. What had he done?
******************************
(Hogsmeade)
Draco looked up at the hotel. It was old, but still regal looking. He dragged his trunk up the steps to the inside, refusing help from his chaufer.
"Hello sir. Will you be wanting a room?" An elderly witch at a polished marble counter asked him, her smile broad and genuine.
Draco nodded, and left his trunk at the door.
"A room for one, please. I'll be staying for a few weeks." He mumbled, taking out his Wizard Express Card.
The elderly witch swiped his card, and gave him the keys to a room.
"Have a nice stay." She chirped, and a bellhop scurried off with his trunk to his room.
Draco opened the door to room C4, and looked around with mild interest. The whole room was furnished in cream colors, and through an open white door he saw a bathroom with a cream colored marble bathtub.
"Have a good stay." The bellhop said cheerfully, tipping his hat and leaving.
Draco pulled his trunk to the end of the bed and opened the window that opened out to the street.
"Ginny! I said I was sorry!"
Draco looked down at the street, his neck muscle almost spasmed at the quick movement.
He saw a tall, slender girl with flaming red hair walking quickly down the street. Behind her, was Harry Potter.
Draco smirked. They were probably having a lover's quarrel.
He would catch up with them later, Draco thought. Right then he wanted to go to the pub and get a butterbeer.
******************************
(Hogsmeade)
Ginny ignored Harry as she walked quickly to the pub. When she reached the door, she whirled around to face him, ehr wand pointed at him.
"Don't come near me right now, Harry. I've learned quite a few curses, and I'm willing to use them."
Harry's face turned ashen gray, and he headed back to the apartment.
Ginny entered the pub, and got a butterbeer from the front before she sat down at a corner table.
Ginny took a gulp of ehr drink and set it back on the table, sulking visibly.
"Is this seat taken?"
Ginny looked up, ready to snap at Harry, but instead found herself looking into the intense dark eyes of Draco Malfoy.
"Draco..." Ginny breathed as Draco sat across from her.
Draco smirked, not his nasty smirk, and set down his butterbeer.
"Hello Ginny. It's been a while."
Ginny nodded dumbly.
"Nearly five years, Draco. Where have you been? I didn't even get so much as an owl from you."
Draco took a gulp of his butterbeer and stared into it as he set it down again.
"I've been living at Slytherin castle. You have no idea how horrible it is there." He answered.
Ginny put her hand over his, and smiled at him like the sisterly person she was.
"You know you can tell me anything, Draco. Even after all these years, you're still like another brother to me."
Draco smiled back, and took her hand. It was an affectionate gesture, but not to an extent.
"Pansy is the village bicycle now." Draco mused. "Everyone had a ride. She seems to see me as a challenge, I suppose."
Ginny giggled and took another swig of her drink.
"Well, she always did have that type of personality, you know." Ginny laughed.
Ginny felt a bit strange. A couple of minutes before, she would have been glad if You-Know-Who just hit her down. Now, she didn't want anything but to talk with her 'brother'.
"Yes, I suppose she did." Draco grinned at her. "You live in Hogsmeade now?"
Ginny sighed and nodded. Draco decided to pry a bit further.
"I heard you and Harry before. Having a lover's quarrel?" He teased.
Ginny looked up and her hand flit out quickly. Draco covered his eye in pain.
"Ginny, that hurt!" He whined.
Ginny grinned maliciously.
"Well, good. Me and Harry were NOT having a lover's quarrel, as you so bluntly put it. I'm mad at him, going and ruining a perfectly good friendship." She mumbled the last part of it, so Draco could hardly hear.
Draco rubbed his eye, and took another drink.
"So, what did he do?"
Ginny frowned. She really didn't want to say, but Draco would probably find out eventually.
"Harry...kissed me. I didn't want him to, but he did. And now the whole friendship is spoiled!"
Ginny put her head down on the table and covered it with her arms, as though she was so tense she was having a breakdown.
A couple of people from another table stared at thm until Draco sneered at them. They turned back to each other and began talking feverishly.
"Ginny, don't be mad at him."
Ginny looked up at Draco, a bit confused.
"What do you mean, Draco?"
Draco dragged his hand through his hair uneasily.
"I mean, you've changed over the years, Gin. You're...grown up. I guess Harry noticed it, but a bit too much, the stupid git." Draco muttered the last part under his breath, so Ginny wouldn't hear.
Ginny waved her hand carelessly, and drained the last of her butterbeer.
"I shouldn't be troubling you, Draco. I just saw you after five years." She mumbled.
Draco finished off his butterbeer, and took her hand again.
"What have you been doing for the past five years?" He asked, so serious that it made Ginny laugh.
Ginny wiped away the tears from her bout of laughter, and apoligized.
"Sorry for laughing, Draco. It's just that my life for the past few years has been such bloody bullshit that I just can't wait to get life over with."
Draco lifted a brow curiously, but not without that look of concern.
"What do you mean, Ginny?"
Ginny took his other hand, now holding them both, and smiled grimly at the tabletop.
"You wouldn't understand, Draco. It's all terribly confusing."
Draco tilted her chin up so that she would look at him.
"Try me."
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