Breaking the Silence
Chapter 3
Ginny proceeded through the dungeons, unsure where she was going, or what she was doing. She had no clue why she followed Malfoy out of potions. What in Merlin's name is wrong with me? With a sigh she continued on, through the dungeons and finally onto the ground floor. In the Entrance Hall she stopped, no sure what she was going to do now. She wasn't supposed to be roaming the corridors right now, she was supposed to be in potions with the rest of her house. She had to get somewhere she wouldn't be found until her next lesson.
I need somewhere to sit and think, Ginny thought as she wondered up the Marble Staircase and onto the second floor. After wondering around for about fifteen minutes, successfully avoiding any professors and Peeves, Ginny found herself in the Seventh Floor corridor. Remembering the Room of Requirement, Ginny went to the wall and walked past the spot three times thinking, I need a place to hide and to think. Within seconds a door appeared and she rushed into a very familiar room. Ginny wasn't expecting to be in the room where everything was hidden. There were piles and piles of objects that had been hidden over many years. Ginny made her way through the turrets and towers of books and shelves of items on Mr. Filch's list of forbidden objects. Finally, she came to a stop at an armchair and sat down. Why am I here, Ginny asked herself.
"Why this room?" She said aloud, looking around at all the hidden items.
"Maybe because you're looking for something." Ginny heard Malfoy's familiar voice from somewhere amongst the clutter.
Ginny stood and looked around. "Where are you?"
Hearing footsteps behind her, Ginny turned and wondered between shelves and piles, listening for Draco's footsteps.
"You don't want to find me." He answered from somewhere to Ginny's right.
Ginny followed the voice. "Why not? Maybe I'm not finished pestering you."
Ginny heard his chuckle and turned back around, following the deep and attractive sound. She felt like Sarah in 'The Labyrinth' at the end when she was trying to get to her baby brother Toby, but he was always just out of reach. Finally Ginny stopped at the end of a shelf and just stood. He would show himself eventually.
"Of course you're not done annoying me." Draco continued. "I have a feeling I'm going to run into you a lot over the next several months."
Ginny blushed, glad he couldn't see her. Or could he? "Well truth be told, I'm on a mission."
"A mission?" He asked. Ginny could tell he was close, but she still couldn't see him. "I know what you're up to." His voice was rough now, trying to make a point. "And your attempts are pointless."
Ginny frowned, unconvinced. "Why?"
"Why?" Draco repeated. "Why, you ask? We both know the answer to that." He said and then he was there, rounding the corner and stopping just a few feet in front of her.
"We can't just be friends, Weasley." He ran a hand through his mussed hair and then both hands went into his pockets and he leaned against another shelf. He watched her reaction, his gray eyes penetrating hers.
Ginny shrugged sheepishly. "Why not?"
Draco rolled his eyes at her for what seemed like the millionth time. "That's a stupid question. Another one we both know the answer to."
"No, it's not." Ginny said. "I know what you mean but it's stupid to make a decision based on what others think and believe. Yes, our families have different morals and values. Yes, we are from separate social classes. And yes we have completely different views on what I'm daring to say is probably every subject possible." She shrugged again. "Why does all that matter? Why care what others think?"
Draco continued to watch her as she spoke, with so many emotions pouring into her words. Emotions Draco realized even Ginny didn't recognize. She stared at him as he took in what she said. Finally, Ginny turned and left him there. She returned to the armchair and sat in thought. It wasn't long before Draco was standing in front of her, willing her to look at him.
"You make it sound so easy."
"It is easy, Malfoy. If only you let it be."
"Maybe for you." He shook his head and looked around aimlessly, trying to gather his thoughts. This girl was driving him mad. "But it's not that simple for me, Ginny."
"Well there's a start." Ginny smirked to herself and at his bemused expression she explained. "Calling me by my name. Maybe there's hope for you after all."
"Well believe it or not, I was raised to have some manners. Even if they are few and far between."
Ginny smiled and shrugged as she stood to face him. "Baby steps. You've taken a few just by speaking with me. Maybe you can manage some more."
Then she was gone again. Draco heard the door close and he was alone to think over everything Ginny had said. Maybe she said her intentions were to be his friend, but deep down he believed Ginny Weasley sought something more than friendship. That thought frightened him. Yet, he found himself thinking about the redhead more and more throughout the day.