Hey people! This is a super-speedy update to make up for that long wait before! Sorry about that. Thanks to my lil bro, Zak, who beta'd this for me! Hugs to you! Thanks to everyone who reviewed - it's the reviews that make me want to carry on! Because I am a bit bored of this and I think sometimes that comes across in the fic, don't you?
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She that is not jealous is not in love. - St. Augustine
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Ginny turned over in her bed. Sighing slightly, she pushed a curl of red hair away from her eyes, scratching her freckled nose. Finally, she opened her eyes, an expression of extreme indignation on her usually sunny face.
"I object," she announced, drowsily petulant, "to waking up before…before," she glanced at her bedside clock, "before seven on a Saturday morning." She rubbed her eyes, stifling a yawn. "It should be against the rules."
Heaving herself upright, she yawned again; a huge, gaping yawn that made her jaws ache fairly impressively. Then she stretched, catlike, grumbling under her breath about the unfairness of school, body clocks and the general trauma that was part and parcel of being a teenager.
Stumbling out of her four-poster bed, she yanked the half-drawn drapes fully open, and the room was flooded with sunlight, making it appear, to Ginny's sleepy and disgruntled mind, unreasonably cheerful. She stood for a moment, scowling out at the vast grounds of Hogwarts, for once untouched by the charming, almost quaint beauty of the manicured lawns and carefully immaculate topiary below her.
Listening to the deep, even breathing of her roommates, she withdrew some clean robes from the wooden chest at the foot of hr bed. She could hear Pamela's odd, irregular snores form the other end of the dormitory, and stifled a giggle as she crept over to the bathroom.
As she walked out again half an hour later, dragging a hairbrush through her unruly mane of hair, she glanced at the clock – eight o'clock, and still no one else was awake. Shaking her head at the injustice, she stepped out of the room and made her way down into the Gryffindor common room. It was utterly deserted, save for Crookshanks and the debris from last night.
Wandering over to one of the larger piles, Ginny wondered if she dared try to clean up a little. She even got as far as bending down to pick something up, but the combined smell of something mouldering and the sight of Seamus' purple underpants was so disturbing that she hastily backed away, reaching almost instinctively for her wand.
"Scourgify," she said, but quietly, lest Filch had somehow found a way to enter Gryffindor Tower. As luck would have it, he hadn't, and she wasn't caught. This was fortunate, as her whispered spell was astonishingly ineffectual, and managed to do nothing more than make Seamus' boxers twitch disquietingly.
Making disgruntled noises, she left the common room, and climbed through the portrait hole into the corridor. Sliding down the stairs towards the Great Hall, she hummed to herself, and wondered why the Fat Lady seemed to have got so much smaller since her first year. Shrugging to herself, she decided that she must have gone on a diet.
The thought made her giggle as she walked through the huge doors into the Hall. The tiny gurgle of laughter echoed disconcertingly around the near-empty room, and Ginny looked up, moderately mortified (if there is such a thing), to meet Albus Dumbledore's blue eyes, twinkling amusedly.
Blushing slightly, she looked away, surreptitiously glancing around to see if anyone else had noticed. Her brother and his friends were seated at the Gryffindor table. Ginny's blush intensified as she remembered their row yesterday. He had been out of order, but still - she shouldn't have blown up like she had.
Steeling herself, she slipped onto the bench next to him.
"Morning, Ron," she said calmly.
He looked at her, eyebrows raised. "Calmed down then, have we?"
She forced down the automatic surge of anger. "Look, Ron, I'm sorry. I know you're only looking out for me. My temper just got the better of me." She shrugged apologetically.
Ron was surprised. "That's alright," he said charitably. "I shouldn't try to interfere." He made a face. "But that's what big brothers do, I'm afraid. Can't do anything about it. It's in the job description."
His sister laughed good-naturedly. "Friends again?"
"Of course." Ron turned back to his plate, to shovel in his breakfast with renewed vigour.
Ginny smiled in satisfaction and turned to her left.
"Morning, Colin!" she said brightly, helping herself to toast. "I didn't see you come in."
He looked at her with an oddly intense expression. "Why didn't you tell Cass and me that you broke up with Dean?" he asked reproachfully.
"What-? Oh, that," Ginny waved it aside dismissively. "I just forgot. It wasn't a big deal. You knew I was having problems."
"Yeah, but we never though…" abruptly he changed tack. "And there's another thing," he added grimly. "Where did you go after dinner last night?"
Ginny blushed. "Erm…well, you see, I had some…work to do, yeah, work. For Snape. In the library."
She buried her scarlet face in a goblet of pumpkin juice.
"No you weren't," contradicted Colin flatly. "I know, because Cass was in there all night, in detention for Sinistra. Why are you lying to me, Gin? I thought we were friends. We've never had secrets form each other before." He looked so injured, that Ginny did start to feel little guilty. But not so much she was going to tell him the truth.
"Well, I needed some alone time," she improvised quickly. "After the whole Dean thing, you know…and I had a bit of a talk with Harry as well."
It was kind of the truth. Kind of.
"Ginny, I know where you were last night," he told her quietly.
Ginny was annoyed. "Well, if you knew, why did you ask me?"
"I wanted you to tell me of your own volition," he said sadly. "Obviously you don't trust me enough!"
Ginny was chagrined. "Oh, Col, don't think that!" she exclaimed unhappily, placing her hand on his arm. "I do trust you." She hesitated. "How do you know, anyway?"
"I was testing out my new camera on the Quidditch pitch," he told her with an expressive glance. "I didn't expect such fascinating material!"
His red-headed friend tensed as he handed her a photograph; Ginny and Draco zoomed in and out of the picture, huddled close together, her hair snapping in the wind.
"Oh Colin!" she gasped, horrified. "Why did you take this? You haven't shown anybody else, have you?" He tone was low and urgent.
"Of course not!" Colin looked offended at the insinuation. "But Gin, what were you doing with Malfoy of all people?"
Ginny was saved from answering as her brother leaned over. "What's that you've got there, mate?" he asked Colin jovially. "A picture of Gin?"
And before either could react, he had neatly swiped the photograph from Colin's hand, a broad grin on his face. The grin faded as he took in the contents.
Ginny felt a heavy weight settle in the bottom of her stomach
Draco!
There's no need to scream at me, came that lazy voice in her mind. What's the problem?
Colin took a picture of us flying - and now Ron's gotten hold of it!
Your problem. Deal with it, the Slytherin said succinctly.
But Draco…
I don't want to hear it, Ginny. Just stop him from spreading it, in Merlin's name.
Fortunately enough, Ron seemed to be too shocked to do anything but still there, frozen, staring at the photograph.
"Look, Ron, I can explain," Ginny sad hastily.
"I bet you bloody well can!" Ron's voice was hoarse.
"Malfoy and me were having this argument about whose broom was better, and he said that his was and I said to prove it and then he said he wouldn't trust me with his broom," she told him, as fast as she could. "So then he took me flying. But only for a couple of minutes! I wouldn't spend a minute longer with that slimy Slytherin than I needed to, you know that!" Her brown eyes pleaded for forgiveness.
Ron thrust the photograph back at Ginny with a look of disgust on his face. "Burn it," he said flatly. "I believe you Gin, but don't even think about doing it again. You know what Malfoy's like."
"Of course!" exclaimed Ginny. Her relief was palpable. "Anything you say, Ron!"
Colin looked at her significantly. "Right, well, me and Colin have loads of work to do, so see you later!" she said with false brightness.
"What's going on, Gin?" demanded Colin as soon as they were out of earshot. "That was a load of bollocks and you know it!"
"Look, Col, I really and honestly intend to explain everything to you and Cass later," she said desperately, pulling away from him. "But I have something very important to do right now!" She ran down the hall away from him, towards Gryffindor tower.
That was the first lie she had told that day; she didn't really have anything important to do - unless sitting in the shower and crying counts as important.
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Blaise glared at Draco through slitted eyes across the Slytherin table. Draco tried to ignore it, but soon grew uncomfortable under such intense scrutiny.
"What?" he demanded finally.
"Have you nothing to say to me?"
Draco was perplexed. "What about?"
"I take it you remember our conversation yesterday."
"My memory has yet to fail me," the blonde boy replied coldly.
"Then why, may I ask," said Blaise acidly. "Were you out flying with that filth," his voice dropped so low that Draco had to strain to hear him, "last night? After everything we said?"
Draco was too shocked to pretend. "How do you know that?" he asked in honest surprise.
Blaise's lips twisted in a cruel smile as he caught his friend unguarded. "I caught a Gryff in the corridor this morning with a photo."
Before Draco could reply, winced as Ginny screamed Draco!
There's no need to scream at me, he said, affronted. What's the problem?
Colin took a picture of us flying - and now Ron's gotten hold of it!
Well, that explained Blaise's foul mood, at any rate.
Your problem. Deal with it. He told her firmly, concentrating on Blaise, who was looking angrier by the minute.
But Draco…
I don't want to hear it, Ginny. Just stop him from spreading it, in Merlin's name.
He knew that he would regret being so curt with her later, but he had more pressing problems.
"It was a curse thing, alright Blaise?" he lied defensively, looking around to check that no one was listening.
"Don't lie to me, Draco," said Blaise contemptuously. "You've obviously fallen for her."
"Don't be ridiculous!" scoffed Draco, his heart beating uncomfortably fast.
Blaise's dark eyes smouldered. "Let's continue this outside." His voice was cold.
The two walked together along the corridors of the castle, close to each other but not touching. Their postures were stiff, their shoulders tense, and on the face of each was a brooding malice. Other students scampered away from them apprehensively, for they made an impressive duo; one dark as the other was fair, both tall and handsome and radiating a confidence that could only be Slytherin in origin.
In tacit agreement they made their way to a favourite spot in the courtyard; a secluded bench almost completely hidden by two large stone pillars.
The moment he deemed it safe, Blaise wheeled around to face his friend; his dark face contorted with rage. "What in blazes do you think you're doing?" he demanded. "Draco, you're my friend, and a true one, but I won't stand for this. I won't! Stop lying to me and tell me what the hell is going on!"
"Don't take that tone with me, Blaise Zabini!" hissed the blonde haired boy, his upper lip curling in disdain. "For your information, yes, I have been spending time with Weasley - with Ginny - and I will continue to do so!" He stopped, breathing heavily.
Blaise's look changed from mere anger to incredulity. "Are you insane?" he asked, his voice unusually high-pitched. "You mean to say you're willingly consorting with muggle-loving, blood-traitorous scum like that?"
Draco took a deep breath. "Yes," he said calmly. "I haven't been lying to you, Blaise, not really. There was - is - a curse. And it means that we have to have physical contact regularly , or we get ill. But that's not the only reason I've been spending time with her." He raised his head defiantly. "I like her, Blaise."
The dark boy shook his head in disgust. "How can you be so stupid? You must know what this means. You're going to be angering some very powerful people, you know. And I for one won't stand for it! How can I respect you as my friend, my equal -" He trailed off, overcome with emotion.
"For pity's sake, Blaise, grow up," snapped Draco. "In this day and age, blood is nothing. And she is a pure-blood. It's a friendship, pure and simple. And one that I will continue," he said with heavy emphasis. "I will not be dictated to, Blaise. Not by you or by anyone else."
"Anyone else?" repeated Blaise. "You are mad as well as stupid! Your mother, Lucius, the Dark Lord himself! No good can come of this! She could be killed - not that I care one way or another," he added with a shrug. "But if you really have grown attached to her," and he couldn't keep the contempt from his voice, "then I'd have thought you'd take that into consideration."
Draco looked away. "I will not be dictated to," he repeated, a pink flush spreading across his usually pale cheeks.
Blaise shrugged again. "Do as you will. You always do. But don't come running back to me when you get your come-uppance." His dark gaze fell upon his friend. "Which you undoubtedly will."
He strode away without further preamble, leaving Draco leaning heavily against the pillar, unable to meet his eyes.
He stood there for some time, eyes closed, breathing heavily.
Ginny? He ventured tentatively. He needed the comfort she would bring.
Oh, so you're deigning to talk to me now, are you? She shot back venomously.
For a moment Draco was completely baffled - stung. Wha- oh. Perhaps he had been a little terse earlier.
That's right, Ginny told him. You were rude to me, Draco Malfoy.
There was silence for while.
You don't have to worry about the photograph, anyway, she told him unhappily. I dealt with it.
No, you didn't, corrected Draco bitterly. Blaise saw.
Well that wasn't my fault! I've got it now, and I certainly haven't shown it to anyone.
It doesn't matter. The damage has been done already. Get down here, Gin.
Anything your lordship commands.
Her tone was bitter, and Draco wondered what he'd done to deserve it. She'd certainly been moody lately. And what were her problems to his? All she had to deal with was a sulky brother. He might lose his boyhood friend over this stupid bonding.
He brooded on this as he took the steps, two at a time, to meet Ginny just outside the entrance to the east wing. One look at her face stopped him in his tracks.
"You've been crying!" he exclaimed, surprised.
"You think?" she snapped back tiredly. Turning away, she put blinked heavily. She would not cry in front of him.
"What on earth for?"
"Draco Malfoy, that is probably the most stupid thing you've ever said! And that's saying something," she added snidely.
Draco's spine stiffened automatically. How dared she! "I don't see what you have to cry about," he told her coldly. "I had hoped you might have better control over you emotions, Weasley."
Ginny's eyes snapped with anger. "How can you say that to me, you hard-hearted Slytherin snake! You're the one whose made me cry, for being such a jerk! Because of you I've had to hide things from my best friends, sneak around the castle, and I'm at odds with my favourite brother! The least I could have hoped for was a little comfort from you to make it worth my while!"
"You foolish girl," he snapped, incensed. "You have no idea of the sacrifices I'm making for you! My best friend despises me because of you! I am guilty of the most terrible filial infidelity, and-" he broke of, silver eyes hard and cold, like the walls of a castle under siege. "And I really don't think you're worth it."
Ginny's face paled; he could see each individual freckle starkly against the pallor. The look of utter betrayal in her eyes was almost enough to break his resolve. But no; he would remain firm. He had enjoyed spending time with her, but she could be nothing more to him; not when she treated him like this. He would go back to Blaise, confess his stupidity, plead forgiveness. Well, maybe not plead. Malfoys do not plead.
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he barely noticed when she gave a small cry, and fled away from him. He had to find Blaise.
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Ginny huddled into the stone wall, drawing her cloak around her protectively. Now that she was alone, she let the tears fall freely, hot and salty as they slid down her cheeks and into the corners of her mouth.
Nearby was the Owlery; over the parapet she could see the birds swooping in and out, their flight patterns jerky in the force of the strong northern wind.
How could Draco - how could Malfoy - be so insensitive? They'd been getting on so well, she'd started to think that maybe - maybe -
She choked on a sob.
"What's the matter, Ginny?" came a honeyed voice from behind her. Ginny turned around, amazed to see someone here, in her little hidey hole at the top of the castle.
Romilda vane advanced towards her, a sickly smile pasted on her face. One fist clenched the thick black plait swung over her left shoulder. "Why are you crying, dear?" she asked sympathetically.
Ginny was surprised; she hadn't put Romilda down as the compassionate type. She smiled gratefully up at the girl. At least someone was being nice to her today!
"Don't worry," she hiccupped. "It's just boy trouble." She managed a watery half-smile.
Romilda came further towards her, smile widening as she tugged fiercely on her braid.
"I heard you dumped Dean," she said conversationally. "Was that because Harry asked you out?"
Something in her tone made Ginny start. "No, Harry and I are just friends," she said cautiously.
Romilda laughed. "Oh, come on , Ginny, I won't tell anyone!" She leaned close with a conspirational whisper. Ginny stood up, feeling slightly apprehensive.
"You can tell me," continued Romilda sweetly. "I think you'd make a cute couple…he's the most wanted boy in school - and you're…" She trailed off, an Ginny thought she saw a hint of malice in that too-wide smile. "You're Ginny Weasley, aren't you?"
Ginny wished desperately to escape, but Romilda was blocking her path, edging her closer and closer to the edge of the parapet. "I'm not going out with Harry!" she protested. "I don't even like him anymore."
"Don't lie to me!" hissed the dark-haired girl, her face suddenly contorting, ugly with anger. "You little slut! I bet he's not the only one! You could have anyone you wanted, perfect, pretty little Ginny! I bet you really don't like him! You just wanted him to get one over on the rest of us! Because you couldn't stand the thought that he might like someone else! Someone like me!" Her voice rose hysterically.
"No, no, it's not true!" gasped Ginny, really frightened now. "Romilda, let me past!"
The dark-haired girl pulled on her braid sharply, laughing. "Oh no, I don't think so," she whispered wickedly. Her hands came up in front of her, and she reached for Ginny.
"DRACO!"
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DRACO! The scream rang in his mind as clearly as a bell, and he felt her panic. "Ginny!" he yelled scrambling to his feet.
His mind was a blur. He couldn't think. He had no thoughts but to find her. In his mind's eye he saw her, falling, falling, as he had when he first caught her… "Accio Nimbus!" he pelted into a first-floor classroom, and threw up the sash of the biggest window, his fingers fumbling and clumsy in their haste. At last the window was up; he launched himself out of the window, broomstick in hand.
The wind roared in his ears as he plummeted several feet towards the ground, before he wrestled the Nimbus under him and forced it, as he had never forced it before, to accelerate up and towards the easternmost tower.
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Snape watched with mild irritation as his favourite student launched himself out of his chair with an inarticulate cry, and launched out of the dungeons. "Hormones," he muttered, shaking his head sadly.
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Ginny's hoarse scream was whipped away by the hungry wind. She was going to die, she knew it. She could feel the ground rushing towards her. She closed her eyes…
And opened them in astonishment as she felt a strong pair of arms wrench her out of the air and into a rib-breaking embrace.
"Don't you ever," said Draco, his voice shaking with fury. "Ever do that to me again."
She could only stare at him, wide-eyed and weak with astonishment and fear.
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Well, what do you think?
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