Disclaimer: Not the any of these 'cept the plot is mine.
Chapter Two
Draco was having a hard time sleeping.
For the third time, he got off his comfortable bed and padded towards the window.
He was still thinking of how Ginny…no…the Weaselette's face fell when he said what he said. Truth be told, he didn't want to say it. He didn't know what happened. Why he did what he did was beyond comprehension. His guess was his instinct to be applauded took over him.
Draco Black Malfoy isn't into pleasing everybody. He doesn't usually give a damn about how people view him. Good, or almost always, bad, he didn't care.
But today in the field, when his housemates were egging him on 'putting Weasley in her place', he had a sudden impulse to impress Red. To show how important a person he is in their House. The problem was he did it on her expense. He succeeded in showing how big a git he is and how easily he can be swayed by clapping people and the directions of fellow snakes like him. Draco had stupidly attempted to impress the person with the wrong line, the wrong words, and it resulted to Red's pride being stepped on.
He shook his head to rid himself of the thoughts.
He was a Malfoy. He doesn't care if the only daughter of a blood-traitor had her heart broken because of him. It wasn't his doing that she fell for him. It wasn't his fault girls wanted him so badly.
Draco sneered at himself.
A prat. That's what you are Malfoy. A bloody prat.
He went over his bed and put his head on his hands. No matter how he disregard the feeling, he was still feeling bad of how he treated the girl. He saw her red eyes, and the tear streaks on her cheeks. He knew he was the reason she was crying. And for some unknown reason, he wanted to punch himself.
He shook his head. He doesn't care.
No, he shouldn't really care.
Weasley was a Weasley. A blood traitor and forever enemy of the Malfoys. They support the git Harry Potty Potter and hates Voldemort. Caring about the youngest Weasley was…well, it just doesn't work.
Slowly lying on his bed, he started thinking of Red again. It was early last year when he started admitting to himself that she was a human being, unlike the rest of her family. Ginny was the Gryffindors' new Chaser. He saw her practice with the team once when he was walking from the lake and though he didn't admit it, he could say that she took after her brothers. Hair tied in a ponytail, she flew across the Quidditch field and expertly threw the Quaffle in one of the rings. Staying hidden behind one of the trees nearby, he continued staring at the girl's face as she laughed and did a victory somersault with her broom. Catching himself, he mentally grinded himself for being like a spy. Not wanting to be seen by the Gryffindors, he retraced his steps and went around the other way.
That was the start of it. Sometimes, he would stare at her across his seat in the Great Hall. Sometimes, he would go in the library when he knew she would be there and sit where he could view her discreetly.
Yes, he knew he was being less Draco and more, well...any other loser in the world. He didn't like the fact that he enjoyed seeing her face when before all this happened, he would've puked just by seeing it. He also didn't like the fact that he couldn't stop himself from growling deeply like a dog whenever Red smiles at Potty. Red Potty doesn't seem right. Or Potty Weasel. Red Dragon was much better.
Then one time, when he was napping in his own room, he was awoken by snickers and mocking laughter. Opening his eyes, he found Crabbe and Goyle surrounding him. When he adamantly demanded why they were there, a third voice spoke out in amusement.
"You're dreaming about Weasley."
He had found Blaise also there. Scowling, he had felt no need with replying and denying it and just ordered them to shut their mouths.
That was the reason they put him up in a dare to dance with the girl at the Ball. Not one to lose in a game, especially one he had declared petty, he did it.
Back to the present time, he pulled the covers around him and closed his eyes. He wanted to sleep. To see that it was all just a dream. Frowning, he opened them again.
Although the kissing part would be just fine as it is.
He sighed. Tired eyes began to close and this time, he fell asleep.
A week dragged on and Christmas was nearing. The festive air hung around, making students feel all giddy and light. Only one wasn't feeling giddy and light. No, make that two. Snape and Ginny Weasley.
Ever since that day in the Great Hall, Ginny hadn't stepped a foot in the place ever again. She wouldn't eat properly. If it weren't for Hermione and Luna, she wouldn't eat. And even if the two bring her lots of food to eat from he kitchen, she'd just have a bite or two then she'll push her plate away.
Going to class, spending breaks in the library, studying in the evening, that's how Ginny spends her time for the past days. She doesn't even want to go to sleep for fear of dreaming about what happened that day. When she does fall asleep, she'll have nightmares about all the Slytherins laughing at her and she just wakes up all sweaty and scared.
Even Ron, who had sworn not to talk to her again, couldn't resist asking her how she was doing. That night, before dinner, Ron, Hermione, Harry and Luna were ganging up on her again, persuading her to eat with them in the Great Hall.
Ginny shook her head. "I'm not hungry." She answered them in a small but firm voice while flipping the page of her book to read the next.
"Not hungry?" Ronald's voice was angry and told her he wasn't buying it. "What did you eat that made you not hungry for a whole week then?"
Harry and Hermione stepped in. "If you're sure you're fine Gin…"
"I am fine." Ginny cut Harry off. She smiled at them weakly but appreciatively. "I know you're all worried but I'm okay. I really am."
Hermione and Harry nodded knowingly though Ginny felt they didn't believe her every word.
"We'll just get you something to eat then Gin." Luna offered. "What would you like?" Luna asked even though Ginny had the same answer all the time.
"No need Luna. Thanks though."
Luna smiled as Ron shouted. "You better not collapse in hunger one day Ginevra!"
The three dragged Ron out the Gryffindor common room and left her shaking their heads. Ginny stared at their retreating back and smiled sadly by herself. Once again, the silence of the empty common room overwhelmed her.
The fire cackled and Ginny returned to reading her book. Potions with Snape that day had been a breeze. She felt Hermione's spirit came inside her because she kept getting correct marks. Snape, who was feeling extra mean that class had called her to make a demonstration, seeing that her eyes were droopy and sleepy. To the surprise of the class and Snape, even though he didn't show it, she made the potion perfectly. Not wanting to lose, Snape gave her another task which she did perfectly too. After another task, Snape recognized her efforts and awarded her fifty house points but deducting ten for 'almost sleeping in class'.
As she flipped her Potions book pages, her mind drifted back to Draco. It has been a week since she saw the boy. As soon as classes end, she would rush out of the classroom to go to another class or to the library. Fortunately, she knew Draco's schedule due to her stalking him earlier this year, and knew where the boy usually hung each time. Whenever she catches a flash of platinum blonde hair, she'd turn around and walk the other way. She can't afford to have another scene with the Prince of Slytherins. Her heart might not make it if Draco'd make fu of her again. Besides, she doesn't know what she'll do if she saw him again. Probably run away like she's possessed or worse, kiss him again.
There's something about Draco that makes her want to stop time just to be with him forever. The way he smirks makes him endearing for her. But it was his smile that made her heart fall.
The day of the Yule Ball, right after their dance that lasted about a minute and a half, Draco had left her in one corner of the dance floor. Not exactly a romantic way to end romantic evening, well unless for her, but he had stared at her for a whole two seconds before going back to his table. When Ginny had managed to shake herself from the shock and had calmed her heart, she walked back to her table, which was near Draco's. A quick glance at his direction and she saw he was smiling softly, staring at nothing.
His smile wasn't the usual cold smile one had always expected to come from Draco. It looked warm and true. And it made Ginny's heart thump hard and fast again.
Sighing, Ginny stood up and decided to take a bath. A cold and quick shower ought to wake her body and heart up. She doesn't want to sleep and be awakened by nightmares again. Gathering up her books, she made her way across the room to the stairs and into the room that she shares with two three other Gryffindors. She got a towel and new clean clothes then padded her way to the Gryffindor's ladies bathroom.
The damp air in the bathroom made her feel sticky. Glancing at the big circular Jacuzzi-like tub, she decided to take a warm bath in it. After stepping out of her clothes, she tied her hair in a bun and she went in the tub and savored the warm water. A few minutes later, her eyes dropped.
Draco's eyes wandered towards the Gryffindor table. As usual, she wasn't there. He had been doing that lately and the result was always the same.
Red wasn't anywhere the table.
The first day after Ginny had kissed him, he found his eyes wandering over the Gryffindor table. At first, it was because he wanted to see if Red was there. When he saw that she wasn't, he averted his eyes and continued to eat. Then he felt someone staring at him. An unexplainable feeling clicked in him and he looked up knowing he would find her staring at him. Only, it was Ron who was there, glaring at him like he wanted to kill Draco.
It was now a week later and he hadn't seen Red on the Great Hall. Or anywhere for that matter.
Draco spooned some peas and stared at them thoughtfully. Where could she be? He had thought of scouting the kitchens at midnight where he thought she would eat alone, but she wasn't there. He had even sneaked out to Hagrid's cottage to see if she was there one break time but again she wasn't. He once saw her leaving the library and before he could catch up, her brother and Potty had kidnapped her.
"Have you seen the Weaselette anywhere?" Pansy's high nasal voice asked someone.
It was Millicent who answered. She was laughing. "She's probably hiding her arse up in the attics, talking to any ghost who cared to talk to her."
Draco's eyebrow rose up, he hadn't thought of the attics, although he knew she wouldn't be there. His sure chance to see her again would be at the Quidditch match two days from now. Gryffindor was playing Ravenclaw and he knew Fred, who was the Team Captain, would never let her be absent.
Pansy laughed, or rather cackled like the bad witch that she is and Draco fought the urge to shove a whole orange in her throat.
Suddenly, the doors opened and the Parvati twins rushed inside the Great Hall. Talking stopped and everyone stared curiously at the two. Patil ran towards the staffs table and Padma towards the Gryffindor table. Patil stopped, gasping for air in front of Dumbledore, who stood up behind the table, looking concerned.
"What is it, Ms. Parvati?" Dumbledore asked Patil but it was Padma who spoke first.
"Ron…Ginny…she drowned!" Padme gasped out.
Upon hearing this, Ron had stood up and ran out of the Great Hall, almost toppling over Padma. Fred, George, Harry and Hermione followed him. Luna stood up too and rushed out to catch up with them.
Draco felt his skin creep and his heart beat fast. He stood up, earning surprised glances from his housemates. But he too stared in surprise as Blaise stood up a second after he did.
"What the-!" Draco whispered sharply but Dumbledore cut him short.
"What is wrong Ms. Parvati?" Dumbledore asked in a gentle voice.
"Ginny..." Patil managed to calm herself down before continuing. "Padma and I were going to the loo before heading down here when we found Ginny floating in the tub in our bathroom." she explained. "At first we thought she was just taking a bath with her eyes closed but when Padma called out to her to go eat. She didn't answer so we thought she didn't hear us but when we got closer we saw..."
Patil trailed off, her voice shaking with emotion again. Draco didn't waste any time and dashed out of the Great Hall, not seeing the astonished looks of the people he left behind.
A/N: Hey sorry it took me so long to update my story. My thesis got almost all my attention. Anyways, here's the next chap and hope you guys review it. Good or bad, at least i know somebody's reading it. Thanks to the people who already reviewed it. This is my first fan fiction and I'm sooooo HAPPY that you guys find it good! Love Lots!