So here's the first of two DracoGinny pieces, for ThisLife103.7's OTP-with-a-twist challenge on The Dark Lord's Most Faithful Forum. Dedicated to TuesdayNovember, as all DracoGinny things go. I chose the third option. Next up will be an entirely different take on the same prompts... -coughsmutcough-
OTP Challenge with a twist
You have to choose from one of the three scenarios below to incorporate your OTP into.
1# A hotel is the location, blood is thicker than water is the theme. A dictionary is an object that plays a part in the story.
2# A lift is the location, shyness is the theme. A picture frame is an object that plays a part in the story.
3# A bus stop is the location, threat is the theme. A camera is an object that plays a part in the story.
"You, here?"
Ginny Weasley froze dramatically between two odd armchairs, a hand flying to her heart. Beneath her sarcastically overdone reaction though, she was genuinely stunned. "Oh dear, too bad I don't have a camera right now, nobody will ever believe me when I tell them this. His Highness Draco Malfoy himself, here, in the Knight Bus?"
"Bite me, Weasley," snapped the elegant, tense-looking blonde she was staring at.
"What a witty comeback," she replied, taking a seat in front of him, to his horror. "I wonder how you come up with those, honestly."
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Sitting down, Malfoy. People like me have the right to a seat, too. Had you forgotten?"
He looked away. "There are seats everywhere here," he muttered. "The damn bus is empty."
"Oh, too bad. I would never have thought you were one to mingle with the masses."
He snorted. "That's actually why I was perfectly comfortable until you came barging in."
"Don't worry, Malfoy, I'm not excessively enjoying your presence either."
"Why are you still sitting here, then?"
"Because I don't like to run, nor hide. And guess what? I no longer have to."
He looked away again, scowling.
"Actually... I thought you were liable to try and hide," she continued, "which brings me to my question... the Knight Bus? Honestly?"
"Do you see many people to hide from here?" he retorted. "It's not quite the widely-used wizarding means of transport, you know."
"You have a point," she admitted. "Why not hide at your manor? I doubt it's a widely-used place to hang out either. Why not Apparate straight there from wherever you had to go, instead of gracing us common people with your presence?"
He blanched a little, but stared straight into her eyes. "I wanted out. Is that a crime?"
"In context, hardly."
He shook his head. "I can't believe this," he growled. "Why am I even talking to you? There's no law that claims I should respond to your questions."
"Why are you doing it, then?" she shot back. "Out of altruism, perhaps?"
He was quiet for a second. "I don't know."
"We're free, Malfoy," she told him. "We're all free, you know?"
"Hooray," he muttered. "Yes, I suppose we are."
"Stop pulling on your martyr face," she snapped. "Even while on the winning side you were already doing that. You're just so good at getting the easy job. It's always someone else's fault, isn't it?"
He winced and did not reply.
"Your aunt very nearly killed me," she continued. "But I must be the one at fault, since I shouldn't have stood in her way. I should have hidden like you did, like a coward. And I guess you're going to glare at me for daring to mention it, too. After all, it's hardly your responsibility, right?"
"My mother saved Potter's skin," he reminded in a low voice.
"I don't care," she spat. "Be coherent. Either you're sticking with your family and ready to face your father's and aunt's atrocities, or you are your own person and mummy's bravery is nothing to your own mediocrity. Personally, I strongly advise you to man up and pick the last option. You're a big boy, Malfoy."
He looked up at her. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked. "Why bother?"
"I need to get it off my chest. And... looking at you, sitting here all grouchy and feeling sorry for yourself, it drives me crazy. It makes me want to shake you. Wake up, Malfoy. You're not going to wriggle out that easy."
"I quite know that," he interjected.
"No, you don't. So what are your plans? Lying low for a while, marrying the first pureblooded tart you can get your hands on, move into another lavish manor – or maybe stay at this one, why the hell not – and have a pretty little heir that you'll spoil into a perfect jerk, like Daddy?"
He just stared at her blankly, without responding.
"People are going to live, Malfoy," she growled. "They're going to be hungry. And if you'd rather lock yourself up in your tower and pretend they don't exist, then by all means go ahead. But you'd be even more stupid than I was giving you credit for."
"What would you have me do?" he muttered.
She stood up, glaring at him. "Live," she snarled. "It's not that hard. You can figure out the rest, I'm not your nanny."
The bus abruptly skidded, and she was thrown into his lap. She cried out in surprise and he gasped in shock, not knowing whether to push her off or lean away or forward, the scent of her hair assaulting him without warning.
She looked up, straight into his eyes. She still seemed livid, but there was an odd glint in her brown eyes. "Life is made of unknown and accidents," she breathed. "Seize it."
"Thanks for the piece of wisdom," he muttered, his eyes shifty.
"Seize it," she repeated, her low voice laced with threats. "Don't make me make you."
She kissed him, muffling his shout of astonishment, his lips searing hot upon his.
"That's my stop," she told him then, standing back up.
"Weasley – " he stammered.
She flashed a hard grin. "Bye, Malfoy. I'll see you around. Don't let me down, all right?"
And with that, she danced away.
