Chapter 2: An Epiphany Of Sorts

Ginny flexed her fingers, looking hungrily towards the steaming food that had suddenly appeared in front of them. She glanced towards her brother, Ron, who was shoveling a piece of chicken down his gaping throat. She shook her head, a bit disgusted and amused before placing a piece of bread into her hand, biting off a chunk and setting it back down. Her eyes roamed the room, resting on a few faces now and again. Finally, they rested on the Slytherin table. A small group sat close together, apparently friends. On the far left, was Blaise Zambini, next to him sat Pansy Parkinson, examining her nails and chatting animatedly about the Quidditch game this coming Saturday. She could feel Draco's wave of irritation from across the room, she could read his lips as he snapped a quick, "I told you Pansy, I won't be there. So why don't you shut your trap." He shook his head angrily, turning away from her and towards the bored looking brown haired girl that sat on his other side. Pansy's face fell slowly and she clung to his arm, trying to regain his attention. He shook it off absentmindedly and started a silent small conversation with the girl. Ginny laughed out loud, the look on Pansy's face, and the way she pressed her body towards his again and again would seem pathetic to some, down right sickening. But Ginny remembered a time when she had done that to Harry, when she had sulked in her room because he was more interested in Cho than he was in her. She locked her eyes on Draco again, admiring the intent look he held on his face. He didn't look at this girl as if she were a piece of meat, but as if she were a person he cared about. A person he would hurt soon. He looked like he was in agony, it wasn't a look of love, but it was one of kindness. It was a new look for Draco. It shocked her slightly, and she had to force her eyes away. She glanced down at the table, picking at the piece of bread.

Draco glanced up from Anna's eyes, and toward the Gryffindor's table. A low sigh slid through his lips and he dropped his head into his hands, gripping his hair. Anna raised an eyebrow and glanced towards the table herself.

"I'm not an idiot." She muttered, her jaw set into a hard line, "I know how you look at her. I know how ashamed you are." His head snapped up and he glared dangerously, "Don't toy with me Anna. You know I'm with you, you know that I'm not leaving. You don't think I know what you would do as soon as I walked through your door. I'm not stupid either and I'm definitely not cruel enough to leave you behind in the emotional mess I've created for you." He shook his head, setting it back down into his hands, "You think too little of me."

"You are a Slytherin, it's the first thing that attracted me to you. The cunning, you went to such lengths to be with me. So excuse me, if I play a little dirty to keep you around. I don't want to lose you." A small smile lifted her features and she turned her body towards him again.

"Well, you've won Anna. I'm not leaving, how can I? You're a lot smarter than I gave you credit for. And even if I were to leave you, why would I for a Weasley? A vile, dirty, defiled piece of vermin who can't even dress herself." He smiled slightly, trying to 

convince her that he was happy. He glanced back towards the Gryffindor table, closing his eyes in frustration.

'why, does she have to be a Weasley? Why does she have to be beau- she's not. Not even close to beautiful, not even close to extraordinary. And Anna, poor Anna. No doubt she'd follow through. Hanging herself because I left, for someone that- no. I can't think about that. I don't want to leave Anna for THAT. ESPECIALLY THAT. But maybe..maybe if I just got close enough, maybe a frie- no. Nothing like a friendship. Nothing like that. I don't like her."

Draco rose from the table slowly, grabbing Anna's hand and pulling her from the room. Ginny saw the couple leaving, a pang of jealousy running through her. A slow hiss filtered through her teeth and she stabbed at the potatoes on her plate. Harry's hand found hers, and he drew small circles on her flesh. She glanced up and he smiled at her warmly.

"Are you worried about the O.W.L.s? Because they're a while away love, you shouldn't stress so much. You'll turn into Hermione." He smiled crookedly towards his friend as she sent a scathing look towards him. He chuckled and turned back to Ginny who had now focused her attention on him. She closed her eyes, trying to collect her thoughts, and forcing a small smile.

"Yeah. I just don't want to turn out TOO much like Fred and George, mum would have a heart attack. Her only daughter, a drop out and a delinquent. " she shook her head in mock sorrow. He laughed again and turned back to Ron, dropping his hand from Ginny's. She glanced at Hermione, who was looking at her. Her mouth formed the words, 'Denial' and it almost made Ginny laugh out loud. Hermione and Luna Lovegood were her two best friends. And Hermione had witnessed the decline in Ginny's happiness, how angry Harry got. He lost his temper more than once, and the outcome hadn't helped the couple. Ginny rose slowly from the table and began walking from the room, as Harry's eyes slowly followed her form.

"Where's she going?" he muttered darkly towards Ron. Ron just shrugged, oblivious and continued eating. Harry rose slowly after her, grabbing a biskit and taking a bite, "I'll be in the common room in a bit, Hermione. Would you mind spell checking my essay for me while I'm gone." She looked at him worriedly but nodded.

"I think Ginny wants to be left alone Harry.." she mumbled, looking down at her plate. He glared at her, raising his eyebrows.

"I know whats best for Ginny, I know what she wants. I know her better than any of you. Stay out of it Hermione." Hermione's eyes became heated.

"I'd watch who your telling to stay out of it Harry. I haven't told anyone yet. Not a thing, and I should. But you're my friend, and so is Ginny. If you don't watch yourself I'll tell 

Ronald, and I'm sure he won't like it. Actually, I'm sure the entire Weasley family won't like it." She glared dangerously at him and he glared back before stalking away.

"Tell me what?" asked Ron with a mouthful of food.

"Nothing," she mumbled, "We need to clean you up, you have a face covered in food particles." She laughed and began blotting at his face lovingly while he flinched away.

Ginny walked down the hallway, trying to hurry to her common room. She would NOT be humiliated by Harry tonight, not again. She felt a hand on her shoulder and someone turned her around. She was prepared to yell, demand why he was following her before she relized who it was. A wash of relief followed but it only lasted so long, before she felt her face contort into annoyance.

"Malfoy."

"Weasley." He mocked, releasing her shoulder and leaning against the wall.

"Anything you needed, Ferret, or can I get back to fleeing the scene?" she asked, glancing over his shoulder. He did the same before raising his eyebrows.

"Running from someone? Break a law, disobey your keeper?" he asked with a small smile.

"He's not my KEEPER Malfoy, and I don't see how that's HARDLY any of your business. Don't you have your own toy to deal with, without bothering with mine and what happens between us?" He shrugged, looking past her into the empty hallway.

"She's with her friends. I'd prefer not to hear about her friends sex lives. It's a bit disturbing, and to be frank, it sickens me a bit." He smirked, toying with the end of his tie.

"So you decided to sneak up on me? In the middle of the hallway, towards the Gryffindor common room? Don't you think that's just a bit suspicious, what are you up to Malfoy?" she asked icily. She crossed her arms across her chest and tilted her head expectantly.

'Damn, caught' he thought, clenching his fists. 'Of course, it was not because I wanted to see her. Just a simple desire to mock her. Not that I missed our playful, almost flirtat- no. It was simply a desire to public humiliate her. Although, lacking an audience makes that pretty hard..'

"Well, I decided I'd publicly humiliate you, Ginny. But I found that their was, a lack of people. It sort of defeats the purpose." He watched her carefully as her eyes narrowed, and then widened.



"What, Weasley? Why are you gawking at me like an idiot?" he asked irritated.

"You, called me Ginny." She gasped, completely shocked, looking a bit revolted.

"No, I called you Weasley" he defended, pushing off the wall.

"Before that." She countered, taking a step away from him.

"So did you, yesterday. I didn't react like I had just taken my slacks off in front of you and pulled out my "Utensils."". She shook her head.

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did, Weasley. But don't take my reference to your name as a sign of affection. Not even as a sign of respect. Just a slip of the tongue. Nothing more, don't go taking it the wrong way." He muttered. Hoping partially that she would. She growled.

"As if that would flatter me, It might cause me to put a bit more space between us. A few more feet might do it" she said, while moving backwards. He rolled his eyes before laughing suddenly, glancing behind him.

"Your masters angry with you Weasley, he's standing behind me. Smoldering, ready to kill me. As if he could." He laughed again and Ginny looked away, her cheeks turning pink as if she had been caught in a situation she shouldn't be in.

'shit, shit shit. He's going to be angry. Not that I can't deal with him, but I don't need this. Not tonight. Stupid Drac- MALFOY. Being in this hallway, filthy reeking stalker."

"Harry, no need to be angry. We were just talking, he wasn't bothering me." Harry continued glaring and moved in front of Draco, facing him.

"I'd appreciate it, Malfoy, if you would leave my girlfriend alone." He spoke the words through his teeth, trying to remain calm. His wand held tightly in his robe pocket."

"I'd appreciate it, Potter, if you didn't cut into other people's conversations. It's rude." Draco took a step closer, bringing his tensed face closer to Harry's. His wand was out of his pocket now, and dug into Harry's stomach. They both looked fierce and Draco's eyes were piercing.

'He gets to sleep with her, hold her hand..I get a conversation now and then and he wants to take that away- what am I saying?! I don't CARE what I get to do with her..its simply about rudeness, the arrogant little twit..' Draco's thoughts were clearly written on his face, although he tried to hide them. Harry turned to Ginny, suddenly wary of the wand in his stomach. He grabbed her wrist, tightening his grip as she tried to pull away.



"Come on Ginny, lets go back to the room." He said dangerously, putting emphasis on how angry he was.

"Is that how you treat a lady Potter, like a piece of trash? If I were you, I'd let go of her." Draco said, moving closer.

"Thanks both of you, for the dominance competition. But I can take care of myself, and I can do what I like, Harry. Without permission from anyone, including you." Her chin raised and she turned her face away from them. Draco crossed his arms and looked away as well. Harry grabbed her by the face and turned it towards him.

"I don't care what you THINK Ginny. I know what I'm doing. And we're going back to the room, NOW." His voice raised an octave and he looked angrier than before.

"NO, I'm NOT!" she shouted, trying to pull away from his grasp. Draco stepped away from them.

"See you later Ginny." He winked to anger Harry further, "Maybe we can get together, and have another one of our….fun conversations. Maybe somewhere more private next time." He smirked, glancing at Harry. Harry's face became red and he turned on Draco.

"In your dreams, Malfoy." He spat.

"Or hers" he responded, before turning away and walking down the hall.

"Don't come near her again!" he shouted after him, "Do you hear me?! I will HEX YOU INTO OBLIVION!" he screamed. Draco waved a hand in his air dismissively and turned a corner.

Ginny turned away and started walking in the other direction, before being turned around by Harry.

"Your not allowed to see him, ever again." He said, eerily calmly.

"Got it," she said sarcastically. He turned her around again and his face was really close to hers.

" I don't think you do" he hissed. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her down the hall and around the corner.

Draco glanced around, watching them walk off, a frown covering his features.

'Please..Merlin..save her.'