Disclaimer: I told you once⦠No you didn't. I did. Didn't. Did did did did and did!
A/N- I cut off the lusty scene in chapter 8 in order to shield all my innocent readers and keep it rated T. So, sorry to all of you who... er, wanted more? Anyhow, I'm trying to make this chapter really really really long. Though, it probably won't happen. I think chapter 3 is my record... Oh sorry for the mindless blather.
Chapter Nine- Come to Me
As Ginny walked down the stairs for lunch she heard a terrible shriek. She quickened her pace and pretty soon a very familiar group of students came into view. Draco, Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle were all all clustered together on the landing. Draco had pressed Pansy against the bannister and was looking down at her, his lips moving as he spoke. Crabbe and Goyle were acting as the lookouts, making sure no teachers were coming. Ginny saw Pansy lift her hand to slap Draco, but he caught her hand and pushed her further over the bannister. She shrieked again, pain etched into her expression. Draco clapped his hand over her mouth and leaned in closer so their noses were touching. Ginny shivered, remembering him treating her in this same fashion.
Feeling slightly sympathetic for Pansy, Ginny continued down the stairs in case they might break it off as she approached. They didn't. Crabbe and Goyle barely glanced at her, eliminating her as a threat.
"Let me go or I'll tell everyone," Pansy was saying to Draco, desperation in her tone.
"That's interesting. I recall you already vowing to do so," Draco replied.
"I wasn't being serious Draco and you know it," Pansy hissed. "I'm serious now so let me go."
"You think you can tell me what to do?"
"No Draco, I-"
"You think you can blackmail me?"
"I'm not, I was just-" Pansy looked like she was about to cry.
"Just what, Pansy?"
"I was jealous that you went out with a girl and it wasn't me!" she blurted out really quickly, her face turning red with embarrassment.
"I told you I wasn't out with a girl..." he trailed off, his voice remaining icy and dangerous.
"I saw you come in your bedroom window Draco! It was the middle of the night! Where else would you have gone? Did you go off to have a little alone time with yourself, huh?" her voice had turned harsh as well. How easily Slytherins did that...
"I went out to fly like I've told you more than once before. I hate to repeat myself," Draco was talking so quietly now Ginny could barely hear him.
"Your hair was all messed and... your-"
"It was storming out. Do you think I need to explain myself to you?"
"Draco-" Pansy started sobbing and tried to hug him. Draco quickly pushed her away from him harshly and she started crying even louder. "I-I think I love you!"
Draco just looked at her queerly and sauntered away. Pansy was visibly shaking now. "Who is she?" she screamed after him. When he didn't turn to her she tried a different tactic,"Another dirty whore no doubt!"
He was on her in the blink of an eye, grabbing both her arms and pushing her against the bannister once more. He put his face right up to her's closely, but did not allow contact. "Don't ever talk about her again," he rasped, his voice oozing with menace and hatred.
Pansy opened and closed her mouth a few times, but only managed to squeak. She knew she could very well be dead if she decided to say anything more. Draco seemed to register his victory and let go of her, walking away once again.
Pansy sank to the floor of the landing and began weeping into her hands uncontrollably. Crabbe and Goyle glanced at her with uncertainly before following after their leader. Ginny walked quietly up to Pansy and knelt down next to her warily. Pansy looked up and narrowed her eyes angrily at her. Ginny just frowned back and said, "Are you okay?"
Apparently Pansy didn't feel strong enough to keep anything a secret. "The only boy I've ever loved just treated me like..." she searched for a word, "like that, so what do you think?"
Ginny blinked her eyes at the honesty. "Pretty shitty I suspect. Why, er, why did he treat you so harshly?" she asked, not really expecting an answer. It wasn't her business after all.
"I was angry at him so I confronted him, which I hardly ever do. I usually know better but today I was just... devastated, I guess.He went out last night on his broom just before it started storming and didn't come back until after the storm had been going for a while. Somehow I could just tell he'd been with someone," her eyes seemed to glaze over, as if contemplating or remembering something.
Ginny's heart was hammering in her chest. No no no no no no no no no no...
"I asked him about it and he lied to me. He doesn't want anyone to know for some reason. I suppose it's because he fancies her a lot and that just crushed me, knowing he would never fancy me the same way," Pansy's lip began to quiver and she seemed about to burst into tears again.
Ginny cautiously placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, "I'm sorry."
Pansy looked at Ginny's hand with disgust, "Don't touch me Weasley."
Ginny snatched her hand back and rose to her feet, just a touch angry. How could she really be angry though? All Slytherins acted like this, it was just how they were programmed.Nevertheless, Ginny had lost all sympathy for the girl now. She looked down at Pansy for a moment before storming down the last of the stairs.
Hermione smiled at Ginny when she saw the young redhead enter the Great Hall, late for lunch. She waved her over and Ginny sat down next to her, completely ignoring Harry and Ron across from them. "How are you feeling now?" Hermione asked in a genuinely caring tone.
"A lot better," Ginny replied, not elaborating, but piling heaps of food onto her plate. Hermione nodded, pretending to be content, and let Ginny eat in peace.
Ginny was in the middle of biting into a roll when she noticed Harry and Ron bristle. She slowly turned her head, roll still sticking out of her mouth, and saw Draco walking towards them.
Tom Tom Tom Tom Tom Tom Tom...
Draco eyed the roll with disdain and pulled it out of her mouth, tossing it at Harry. Ginny kept her eyes on him as she slowly chewed the piece she had managed to bite off.
"Ginny-" she heard Harry murmur behind her, though she hardly cared.
Draco's eyes seemed to beckon her to him and she felt herself rising from her seat. Halfway up she snapped out of the trance and plopped back down onto the bench. "Harry?" she called, eyes still locked with Draco's.
Harry was at her side in a second, wrapping his arms around her defensively and handing her back the roll. Ginny thought she saw several emotions flash through Draco's eyes, though she could identify none of them.
"Ginevra," he began coldly, "I would like to speak with you."
"She doesn't want to talk to you, Malfoy," Harry spat, pulling Ginny tighter in his embrace. Ginny made a slightly disgusted face and Draco caught it before she could change.
"Doesn't she?" Draco asked Harry, though Ginny knew it was directed at her.
"Don't speak for me Harry," Ginny said lightly, reaching up to stroke Harry's hair. Draco's eyes darted up, noticing the casual action, butknowing how significant it really was. He licked his lips.
Harry's hair was straight and thick, not fine at all. She stopped feeling his hair and put her head against his chest, still watching Draco. Harry played right into her trap. He automatically reached up and twined his hands through her hair complacently.
Draco stood completely still, just watching, his expression dark and unreadable.
"I'm really sorry Ginny," Harry whispered. "For everything I've done..."
"That's alright Harry," she replied.
Come to me, come to me, Draco's eyes were screaming.
"I forgive you," she said before getting up and walking to Draco. Draco grabbed her hand and they walked away, not looking back.
Harry stared after them.
