A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read my story and to those who have reviewed or added me to their favourite stories/story alert list. I'm sorry that this chapter has taken so long to post. I have been swamped with work. I know it's short, but I felt that was where the chapter should end. I should have another chapter for you in the next few hours. :D Also, we get to see some of Draco's perspective! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with the fabulous world of Harry Potter and, sadly, I never will. I am merely borrowing the settings and the Characters.
A Twist of Fate
Chapter 3
Thoughts, Thoughts and '...Wait a Minute...Did He Say What I Thought He Said?'
Ginny sat under that tree, staring at the smooth, glassy surface of the lake, for Merlin knows how long. She was essentially in solitude. No one came looking for her; no one came by on a stroll. Not even the Giant Squid appeared. She was lost in thought and it seemed as if the world did not want to disturb her.
She just couldn't understand Draco's behaviour, lately. Just because his name was in my diary does not give him the right to assume that I like him. Him, of all people... Just because I do, well, that was entirely beside the point. He doesn't need to know that. And what gave him the idea that he could just go and kiss me? What ever happened to ignoring me and insulting my family? Now he's was just teasing me... flirting perhaps? ... Wait. Why would he do that? I'm a Weasley, for Merlin's sake. There was no way he would ever flirt with a Weasley. He hated them just as each and every Malfoy should... except...
"Wait a minute! Did he say what I thought he said?" Ginny suddenly exclaimed, aloud. "He said that he...likes me?...Oh My God! He said he likes me! ME! He likes me? But how can he like me? I-I don't understand how... but... Damn it! I am such an idiot! He kissed me, twice. He's never really been mean to me... Well, it makes sense, I guess. Why couldn't I just admit to liking him? He probably hates me now... damn defense mechanisms... they don't even work properly, otherwise I would be able to lie! Why me?" Sighing, Ginny ran her fingers through her hair.
She had to fix this. The only question was, how?
The subject of Ginny's current musings had been walking around the castle for quite awhile, equally lost in thought. One might say that he had been aimlessly wandering, except for the fact that Malfoy's always had a purpose in what they were doing, and they never wandered, nor did they do so aimlessly. In fact, upon the mere suggestion, one would earn a "if-looks-could-kill" glare.
Which was the exact kind of glare Draco was more than willing to give anyone who disturbed him in his current mood. So maybe, he admitted to himself, he wasn't really walking, but storming around the castle. He was not thrilled, to say the least, at Ginny's antics. He could not figure out, try as he might, why she wouldn't just give in and say that she liked him. It was so obvious that she did. For one thing, She couldn't lie. For another, well, she practically flirted with him every time they talked. Besides, if she didn't like him, why did she kiss him back, not once, but twice? If she truly hated him, she should have pushed him away, or slapped him or something.
Why can't she just admit it? Her and her stupid Weasley pride. If she isn't willing to put her reputation on the line, than neither am I. Why should I risk losing the respect of my fellow Slytherins if she is just to prideful to admit that she likes a Malfoy? Well that's just fine. If she doesn't think I am worth it (which I most definitely am, and she is really too blind to see it) to go against her pride and her house, well than that is her problem. I am not going to waste another second on a Weasley. I shouldn't have in the first place.
Yet, despite the fact that he wanted to put her out of his mind, he could not stop the thoughts of her that wouldn't give him a moment's peace. Sighing, he decided to go and get some food from the kitchens.
Ginny had run through a ton of different ways to try to fix this situation, but none of the seemed right, so after sitting there for quite awhile, trying to think of a plan, Ginny had come up with exactly...nothing. He probably did not want to talk to her at all, and that made any plan she made completely futile. Sighing, she got up, stretched, and then made her way back toward the castle. Only upon reaching it did she realize that it was twilight. She looked up at the darkening sky and saw that the stars were twinkling and the moon was shining brightly. Dinner would be over, so she decided to head back to the common room.
Ginny entered the castle and started to head toward Gryffindor Tower. However, she had only taken five or so steps when she realized that she was hungry. Very hungry. Having missed dinner, she immediately changed her direction and started off towards the kitchens. She crept silently along the unused corridors that Fred and George had showed her in order to avoid any teachers, prefects, or Filch and Mrs. Norris.
Eventually reaching the portrait of the bowl of fruit that would allow her to enter the kitchens, she tickled the green pear. The pear laughed, and the portrait opened, admitting her inside. Instantly, the house elves swarmed around her, asking her what she would like to eat. She ordered roast beef, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding, all with gravy. The house elves hurried off to do her bidding.
Ginny sat down at the nearest island, and folded her arms on the table, laying her head down on them. All of a sudden, she was quite exhausted by everything that happened; she just wanted it to be all over. She just wanted to forget about Draco and move on with her life. She was sick of the whole charade, sick of her attempts and failures at lying to him, sick of the power he held over her. She had once again fallen into a trap where someone else controlled her, though Draco had done so unknowingly. But that wasn't the point. Her life would be so much easier if she could just forget him...
Lost in her thoughts, she did not hear the portrait open, nor did she notice the elves chattering and asking the new comer what he or she wanted. It was his voice cut through her thoughts, and she snapped her head up in surprise, fear, and maybe just a touch of hope. Maybe all was not lost...
She spun around in her seat to see Draco ordering the house elves around in a rather cruel manner. He was obviously in a very bad mood. She felt a pang of guilt at this and had to wonder, was it really because of her? How much, exactly, did he like her? Sighing, she looked back at the island as a house elf put her food down on it. She thanked the elf, and looked back at Draco. The house elves had gone to get him what he asked for, he walked straight past Ginny, not even looking in her direction. When he sat down at a table across the room, he completely ignored her. It was as if she wasn't there.
On second thought, maybe all hope is lost. Ginny stared glumly down at her food. She suddenly had lost her appetite. Pushing her plate away from her, she once again put her head in her arms. He hates me! Why couldn't I have just admitted that I like him? She struggled with her emotions, and willed herself not to cry. To aid her fight against the tears, she tried to eat. She took a bite or two, but had a great difficult swallowing it. She picked at her as the tears started to fall. As they streamed down her face, she got up and started to leave the kitchen. She couldn't let Draco she her cry, she just couldn't.
Just as she had one hand on the portrait, she felt a tug on her robe. Looking down, she saw a cute little house elf looking up at her in dismay. "Miss Weazey, don't you like the food?" he asked, while handing her a handkerchief.
She sniffed and forced a half smile. Wiping her eyes, she said, "I do ... it's just ... I ..." She faltered as she looked across the kitchen and saw Draco's eyes on her. His face was blank, emotionless.
"I just lost my appetite, is all." she mumbled and then fled from the kitchen.
Draco watched Ginny leave the kitchen with a pang of...something he couldn't place. 'Did I make her cry?' he asked himself.
"Of course you did. You completely ignored her. She obviously regrets what she did, and then you have to make her feel worse. Way. To. Go." A voice in his head answered him.
'You're not making me feel any better.' He told the voice.
'Of course not. I am your conscience.'
'A consci-what-now?'
'A conscience. I am what people have that tell them that they have done something wrong, and make them feel bad for doing so. I make you feel guilt.'
'But I am Draco Malfoy. Malfoy's don't have consciences. They do not feel guilty for doing anything!'
'Well, apparently, this Malfoy does. You made her cry, and you feel bad about it.'
'But why? She is only a Weasley. What do I care if she is crying or not? I should be gleeful at that and making fun of her.'
'You and I both know the answer to that. You said it yourself. You like her. Now go and find her and-'
'I will NOT take orders from something that shouldn't even exist in me. Especially when it is just a voice inside my head. Maybe I should see a head healer...'
'Fine. Suit yourself. When you feel all glum and depressed, don't come crawling to me whining that you want to make her feel better but don't know how; it's the only way to get rid of the guilt you feel.
'I do NOT whine!' he protested, but the voice was gone. Feeling like he had gone insane, he decided that he should get some rest. Maybe his sanity would return in the morning.
He got up and left the kitchens, his untouched food, and some very upset house elves behind. He didn't hear one of them ask, "is something wrong with our cooking?"
A/N: Thank you for reading. Constructive criticism is most welcome.
