Chapter Ten: Awkward Kiss, and the Cold Truth
I know I promised a beautiful moment between Ginny and Draco in this chapter, but it will come in the next chapter I promise. There was just so much going on in this chapter, that it would have been very difficult to add what I want in there. To apologize, I'll give you a hint. Ginny tells Draco what everyone wants her to tell him. The next chapter will not take as long to post, because the chapter is already planned in my head. I also wanted to say a huge thanks to all my reviewers. Ya'll have stuck with me for ten chapters, and ya'll all are amazing. This story would still be stuck on chapter one without ya'll encouragement. So, now to thank my reviewers!
harrypotterchick4ever: We'll here's the next chapter.. Hope you enjoy!
Ravenclawroyalty: Sorry about the cliff hanger, I have to keep ya'll on the edge of your sits. Yes Harry does need to find himself someone else, but first they have to at least try out a relationship. Trust me, Draco and Ginny will end up together… well…the story wont end on the happiest note, but they'll love each other….
FreeSpritSprite: Yes Malfoy is jealous, but no Neville in this chapter. Don't worry he'll be in the next…..
Tanelle: My sister says that Draco and Ginny should get together already, but I like the way their relationship is heading. Sorry for being evil, I just had to keep everyone interested. Here is chapter ten( wow I can't believe it's already chapter ten) and I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: No I don't own Harry Potter in any way…
This chapter is very special to me because it is dedicated to my best friend who died in august. Today would have been his 18th birthday, and he loved Harry Potter…
"People ask why I always close my eyes, and I say your still alive there."---A.M.
"Only you could get yourself into something like this Weasel." Eyes blazing Ginny tried to calm her rapid breathing.
"Yeah like I wanted to fall into a bloody hole you damn…" Harry interrupted Ginny before she could respond.
"Could both of you just knock it off already? We need to be helping Ginny get out of the hole, not arguing about how she ended up in there." Ginny knew Harry was right, but it wasn't her fault that Malfoy was being a complete jerk about everything.
"As much as I hate to admit it Weasel, but Potter is right. Now, stop complaining so we can get you out of that hole." Ginny's mouth dropped, and her eyes narrowed. Leave it up to Malfoy to change something that isn't your fault, and make it your fault. Closing her eyes, Ginny took a couple of deep breaths and tried to calm herself. Opening her eyes, Ginny glanced around herself as Harry and Malfoy talked about how they were going to get her out. A deep rumbling erupted from below her, and Ginny went completely still. Neither Harry or Malfoy seemed to notice as the walls of the hole suddenly started to vibrate.
"Umm…guys…could you hurry up and pull me out because I think there is something down there," Both heads turned toward her as the vibrations became more violent. Strong hands made a death grip on her wrist, and both pulled. Nothing happened. Griping her wrist again, both boys pulled even harder. Ginny let out a small scream as her foot twisted, "It's no use, my foot is caught on something." The walls of the hole had stopped vibrating, but Ginny still felt a chill racing up her spine.
"We're going to have to find a vine or something so one of us can climb down and…." Sharp pain shot through her leg, and Ginny screamed. Something had a death grip on her ankle, and sharp nails were digging into flesh. Ginny felt herself being pulled away from Malfoy and Harry.
"Something…it want let me go…please…" Her eyes pleaded with theirs, and she felt herself slowly slipping.
"Something's pulling her down! We have to find some vine or…." Ginny blocked out their voices, struggling to get whatever was on her off. Glancing down, she saw nothing but a claw. Kicking with her other foot, Ginny tried to loosen what ever it was grip. Pain shot through the other leg as another large claw gripped her other foot. Throwing her head back, Ginny started to scream. Images of people flashed through her head, people she didn't know of. A small boy with a scared face, a mother holding a child to her chest, and people screaming all around her. She became everyone of them, felt their pain, and felt the deep longing for life. Darkness started to push the images out of her head, and the last thing she saw before darkness flooded in was the concerned face of Dumbledore towering over them holding, his wand.
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Thousands of pounds of what felt like sand weighed down her eyes. Her head spun, and her stomach felt very queasy. Opening one eye, she found Hermione reading a book beside the bed.
"I should just move the rest of my belongings into here, because it seems this is where I spend all my time." Hermione's head shot up, a huge smile gracing her face.
"Well at least you're okay." Hermione said, as Ginny groaned.
"I don't feel okay. What happened?" Ginny asked pushing herself up in the bed.
"Adars attached you." Hermione replied. Ginny's eyebrows raised, a questioning look in her eyes.
"Hermione, what the heck is an Adar?" Ginny asked, lifting her knees so she could prop her elbows on them.
"Adars are werewolf like creatures that roam under the ground of Hogwarts. They make dens, also known as holes, to catch their pray. No one knows how they got this close to Hogwarts, its never happened before. Supposedly Dumbledore has a field set up to where they can't cross, but they did. Dumbledore is furious, and all the teachers are doing investigations. They think someone set a trap, and you got caught in the middle. The little boy that was found was attacked by the Adars, but no one knows how he survived." Laying back down, Ginny closed her eyes and the whole incident came flooding back.
"Wait, when that thing grabbed my ankles images came flashing through my head….why?" Ginny asked as Hermione's eyes softened.
"When a Adar punchers your flesh, you see the images of…..its victims." Opening her eyes, Ginny turned her head towards Hermione.
"Is the little boy going to be okay?" Ginny asked as Hermione gave her a bright smile.
"He's going to be just fine, and so are you."
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"How in the hell did she manage to escape for the Adars? I mean, I gave you the perfect plan and you still seemed to screw it up!" A hooded figure crouched down in front of another tall man with a hood.
"My lord forgive me…the plan was flawless., but she had help." The tall hooded figure turned to the crouching one.
"Who?" The crouching figure lifted his head.
"Two boys, Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter." The tall hooded figure screamed, knocking a few candles off a table close by. Furious, he turned back to his crouching servant.
"Are you telling me that Mr. Malfoy had a chance to let her die, and he did not take it?" Asked the tall hooded figure, as the crouching one slowly lifted himself onto his knees.
"I have been observing them together, and it seems they have grown…close….almost like friends. I thing his loyalty to us might be faltering." The tall figure walked to the table, placing his long fingers onto its' surface.
"Keep a close eye on them, get to the bottom of their so called friendship and tare it apart." The crouching figure stood, his head still turned towards the ground.
"I will not disappoint you my lord."
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He watched from the door as she sat laughing with Granger. Her skin was returning to its cream color, and she no longer looked pale. He stood to where no one could see, just watching. He was happy that she was okay, happy that nothing really bad had happened to her. He didn't know when it happened, but it had happened. Some where along the year the Weasel and he had formed a silent bond…a silent understanding. They weren't really friends, but they were something. Maybe one day they could figure out what they were, someday when the war was over.
"You saved her, she'll want to thank you." Potter's voice filled his ears, and he slowly turned his head, his face holding his usual sneer.
"The only reason I saved her was so I wouldn't have to put up with your shit. Didn't want you and your friends breathing down my neck." Draco replied as he started walking pass Potter.
"Keep telling yourself that Malfoy, you may actually start believing it." Stopping, Draco turned to confront Potter, but, he had already slipped into the hospital wing. It didn't matter, what he said had already stirred something inside Draco.
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"Harry I know this is suppose to be a surprise, but is the blindfold really necessary?" Harry smiled as he led Ginny out through the Hogwarts main doors. Ginny had been released from the hospital wing three days ago, and Harry had been planning this ever since.
"Ginny, the blindfold helps heighten the suspense." A smile graced his lips as Ginny pushed out her lip in a pout. Leading her under the large oak, Harry picked up the rose and let go of her hand.
"Can I take the blindfold off now….please?!" Laughing Harry quickly untied the blindfold, slipping it gently off her eyes. Harry hoped she would like it.
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As the blindfold was removed, Ginny opened her eyes and gasped. A large green blanket was laid out with rose petals spread from corner to corner. Grapes, oranges, strawberries, and kiwi were pilled in a large silver bowl, and finer sandwiches laid on another silver plate. Turning towards Harry, Ginny couldn't suppress the large smile on her lips even if she wanted to. Harry held out his hand, handing a white rose to her. Ginny took the rose gently in her hand, and stared down at it's beauty.
"I wanted to ask you out the night of the campout, but some things got in the way, so I decided to set up this picnic as a surprise. You aren't mad, or you?" Smiling up at Harry, Ginny took his hand in hers.
"Of course I'm not mad, this is really sweet. So…umm…" A deep blush creped into Ginny's cheeks as she realized she still held Harry's hand. Letting his hand go quickly, Ginny sat on the blanket. Did she have feelings for Harry?
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"So you saved the very adorable Miss. Weasley, and realized you were deeply…no madly in love her. I could have told you that mate." Rolling his eyes, Draco turned to a smirking Blaise. Their dorm was quiet as Draco placed his shirts into his dresser.
"I'm not in love with her, and she is not adorable, all I'm saying is that I couldn't let her just fall into the hole. I mean…you wouldn't have left her either." Draco said as Blaise lifted his perfectly shaped eyebrows.
"Of course I would have saved her, but I'm not the one who has a crush on her either. Just admit it, the little Weasel has you under her spell." Draco gave Blaise a death glare as he put his hand over his heart.
"Malfoys don't get crushes, especially on Weasleys." Draco grabbed his boxer shorts, placing them in the bottom of his dresser. Blaise came and put his hand on Draco's shoulder, faking tears.
"Apparently they do my dear friend, and you have it bad for the redheaded pixie. I'll pray for you." Draco rolled his eyes as Blaise walked out of the room. Turning back to his dresser, Draco pushed Blaise's words out of his head. The only way he had a crush on the Weasel was if the castle somehow froze over. A sudden wind caught Draco off guard, and he pushed it away.
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"I mean, who ever created love spells really need to get their head examined." Laughing, Harry grabbed his bottle of water. So far, his date with Ginny was actually turning out to be fun. Popping a grape in his mouth, he turned his attention back to Ginny.
"I very much argue that point, because I think some people need a potion to fall in love. They are insecure about themselves, and the love potion gives them a boast of confidence. Sometimes that's all that a person needs to fall in love." Harry said, as Ginny started shaking her head.
"But, wouldn't it just be lie? I mean if you have to have a potion to fall in love, then maybe you weren't meant to." Leaning closer to Ginny, Harry quickly thought her words over.
"What do you mean that they weren't meant to love?" Harry asked, as Ginny's eyes scanned the glistening lake.
"Isn't part of the beauty of love not knowing what will happen? I mean everyone has insecurities, but you eventually find the one that completes you, that chases away all those fears. Giving a person a love potion, is like taking their choice away on who they love. Besides why have feelings if we're not suppose to use them, no matter what happens." Her eyes held a distance look in them, and Harry felt something inside him turn.
"Ginny…" He said her name as soft as a whisper, and she turned her head towards him. Without thinking, he slowly leaned in, his lips touching hers…light as a feather.
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He was leaning in closer and closer, and Ginny felt something bubble in her stomach. Closing her eyes, Ginny waited. This was it, she was about to kiss the boy she use to have a crush on. Any moment she would know what her feelings for him were. Gently, she felt his lips on hers and waited…nothing happened. No spark, no magic, just warm lips upon hers. Opening her eyes, she found Harry's open also. Awkwardly, Ginny pulled back and looked towards the ground. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Harry do the same.
"That was.." Ginny started not knowing what to say.
"Yeah…umm…it was….interesting." Harry said, and Ginny turned her head towards him. Watching him, Ginny couldn't help bust out in laughter and Harry did the same.
"Interesting? That's the best you can come up with." Ginny was laughing so hard that her sides started hurting.
"Well, I didn't know what else to say. The kiss was just…" Harry said as Ginny wiped a tear from her cheek.
"Weird. No offense but I didn't feel anything." Ginny said, watching Harry's face brake into a huge grin.
"None taken trust me. It kind of felt like I was kissing my little sister…." Harry said and relieve flooded through Ginny. Picking up a strawberry she took a big bite out of it.
"Well now that we have that out of the way, why don't we enjoy this beautiful meal?" Ginny replied, throwing a grape at Harry.
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"It's official, I do not have a crush on Harry Potter thank you very much." Glancing up from her book, Hermione smiled as Ginny plopped down on her bed a huge grin on her face.
"How can you be so sure?" Hermione asked as Ginny propped up on her elbow.
"Because we went on the gorgeous date that ended with the most uncomfortable kiss in the history of kisses. It felt as if I was kissing Ron or something… it was not very pleasant." Placing her book on the bed, Hermione gave Ginny her full attention.
"So you and he kissed, and you felt nothing? Well, it wouldn't be the first time it happened." Hermione said, as Ginny sat in an Indian position a evil gleam in her eyes.
"Yeah, now Ron and you have to kiss to see if you're compatible. I dare say you just may enjoy it my dear friend." A deep blush warmed Hermione's cheeks as she picked up a pillow and threw it at Ginny.
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She was in a room lit with a thousand candles. Looking up, she found that the roof looked as if it held a thousand stars as its captive. In awe Ginny reached out to touch one, but another hand grabbed hers. The other hand spun her around, and she came face to face with Tom Riddle.
"Do the stars please you Ginerva." His eyes held the same kindness she had seen him use with Sasha, but she was not fooled by it.
"They would if I was not in the company of such filth." His kind eyes held a cold edge, but Ginny didn't back down.
"You will learn to hold your tongue, or I may have to punish you. You have much to learn before you're ready." His hand came out to touch the side of her face, but Ginny backed away.
"Ready for what?" A smile spread across his lips, and Ginny felt her stomach turn.
"Ready for Sasha my dear." Giving him a confused look, it finally all clicked in her head. How she didn't realize it before, she did not know. He put the spell on her.
"Oh my God, you're the one who put the spell on me! I have to get out of here." Turning Ginny started beating on the walls, screaming at the top of her lungs. She had to get out, had to tell them who was doing this to her. She felt a hand grab her wrist in a harsh and painful grip. Tom turned her around, shoving her against the wall. Her gripped both wrist, and Ginny knew that there would be bruises later on.
"Tell them, they want be able to help you, you stupid whore." His hand struck the side of her face, and Ginny's eyes rolled in the back of her head. Tom raised his hand again, and Ginny close her eyes waiting for the force of the blow…
"Ginny wake up!" She couldn't breath, couldn't stop the walls from caving in. Hermione stood above her, shaking her. It was over, the dream was over. Pain shot through the side of her head, and Ginny tried to calm herself.
"Tom…he's the one…I need to go see Dumbledore…." Ginny said, trying to calm her breathing.
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So, I hope this chapter was suitable it was some kind of "beep" to right. I hope I played out the whole Ginny/Harry thing well. Sorry, not much Draco in this chapter, but I had to deal with the Harry/Ginny relationship first. The next chapter will be full of our favorite ferret.Happy Valentines day!