Title: Call Me Ginevra
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I don't own any characters except those you can't research on the lexicon and aren't mentioned in the books. The plot is my own. Any resemblances to other plots are pure coincidence. Think about it this way, great minds think alike.
Full Summary: The war has the Weasley's worried about poor little Ginny. After checking her resources McGonagall claims she has the best caretaker for Ginny. Too bad it turns out to be Narcissa Malfoy. While at Malfoy Manor Ginny faces growing up, a strict regiment and Draco on a day-to-day basis. Can Ginny and Draco brave the unknowns of friendship? Will the buds of relationship form? What will Harry do when he finds out that only Ginny holds the key to defeating Voldemort?
Pairings: Draco/Ginny (I guess this sort of answers the "buds of relationship" question in the summary, huh?)
Rating: Eventually M, but pace yourself. (I will give fare warning of the chapters which that rating applies.)
Chapter Note: I think one of you asked for D/G action… oh wait! That was all of you! AHA here it is my avid readers!
Author's Note: Why shouldn't you run? You could trip and fall on your face, that's why. That's sorta what happened with this chapter here… my muse tripped and fell into a hole and I couldn't find the poor thing for ages, do forgive.
Chapter Ten: Narcissa's Secret Love
Ginny jumped when the phone rang. Drowsy and fumbling she reached for the phone and held it to her ear. "He-Hello?" Beside her she heard Draco stir. Looking over she saw him open his eyes and scowl.
"Ginny! It's Jared!" Ginny cringed, she'd forgotten he was supposed to call.
"Jared! How are you?" Ginny felt her cheeks flush as Draco fumed. Ginny pleaded with her eyes for him not to blow up, she could see it coming. Jared began rattling on about something but Ginny wasn't paying attention. Why would Draco be having this kind of reaction about Jared? Frowning Ginny tried to tune into the conversation.
"So anyways, how's that guy? I guess he's probably snoozing it off in his room?" Ginny froze. Draco smirked, he had heard that.
"Ginny doll, come back to bed won't you? It's getting cold under here!" Draco cooed. Ginny blanched.
"Oh uh, I guess I've to let you go then?"
Ginny gulped.
"Yeah I think so, I'm sorry. Maybe I'll see you before I leave then?" Jared muttered some noncommittal monosyllabic response and Ginny hung up the phone. Turning back to Draco she smacked him in the chest. "What is wrong with you? Now he thinks I'm some sort of tramp!"
Draco rolled off the bed and gathered up his towel, wrapping it around his neck. "And exactly why is that supposed to matter, huh? Why does it matter what Jared thinks of you?"
Ginny withdrew. "It doesn't I'd just rather not be thought of as a tramp by anyone."
Draco snarled. "A little late for that now isn't it?"
With a gasp Ginny brought up her arm and without thinking twice smacked him cleanly across the cheek.
Draco was stunned and stared at her for a moment, completely at a loss for words. Slowly the world began to fall back into place around him and he took notice of his surroundings. Ginny's chest was rising and falling quickly, obviously she had just gotten wind of her actions. She was pink across her face and chest; he knew she was heating up with embarrassment.
This opportunity was just too good to pass up. Ignoring his Malfoy conscience screaming about standards, he closed the distance between them. Swiftly taking her cheeks into his hands he pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss itself wasn't soft or hungry or rough but just right. He had pressed his lips quickly against hers but had been gentle in doing so. One of his hands slid to the back of her neck and the other dropped to her waist, bringing her in closer to deepen the kiss.
Ginny complied, lifting her arms around his neck and bending her knee so their legs brushed. Her brain had melted and her reservations had gone out the window. This is why he had reacted the way he had, and this is why she had liked that he did. Her heart jumped at the thought that she and Draco actually liked each other. Not that they tolerated each other, not that they were mates, but that they liked each other.
Pulling back for air Draco realized the sin he had just committed against his family name and separated himself from her. Muttering a breathless apology he grabbed up his room key and let the door close behind him with a slam. Struggling with his door he thanked Merlin when it finally opened and let that slam too, sliding against it. "What was I thinking?" His head fell back against the door and his chest pounded painfully.
He fancied Ginny Weasley and he had kissed her. He had actually let his defenses down and kissed her and damn had it felt good. But what if she hadn't felt the same? He'd be humiliated. And even if she did feel the same, was it something he would sacrifice the Malfoy traditions for? His mother had practically opened the door of possibilities when it came to Ginny. He shouldn't be in the wrong for fancying her. He had, as a matter of fact, waited until she was halfway a Malfoy herself before taking interest in her. It wasn't like she was still a bottom-feeding Weasley.
Well, she had the name but Draco would be one of the first people to comment on how a last name meant nothing when it came to the person.
With a heavy sigh he threw the towel across the room. Bringing his fingertips to his lips he remembered the feel of her lips against his.
Across the hall Ginny stared at her door, eyes wide and lips red with use. Bringing her fingertips to them they tingled with the memory of his lips against hers. Her cheeks hurt with how hot they were and she realized it was also because she was grinning like an idiot. Draco Malfoy had kissed her. And then he'd gotten embarrassed and run off like child. The second part wasn't quite as romantic as the first but she'd take it anyways.
She couldn't believe that she actually liked him. Fancied him, enjoyed the kiss they shared and the way he looked when she had answered the phone. Loved it when he intentionally made Jared think they were together. Reveled in knowing that Draco had wanted to kiss her and had taken the chance when it presented itself.
Without two thoughts to rub together she crossed the distance between where she stood and her door and thrust it open. Stepping across the hall to his room, she knocked on his door, hers shutting quietly behind her. She waited and heard rustling on the other side of the door. "Who is it?" She heard Draco's voice grind out. She knocked again. "Oh bloody hell…" Draco was about to mouth off to whoever it was disturbing him when he saw it was Ginny. He froze.
Ginny did her best to ignore the welt appearing on his cheek and pushed herself into the room. Before letting him register what was going on and before he could start making excuses about anything, she flung herself at him and kissed him back. She immediately indulged her fantasies in running her fingers through his hair, loose and silky. As they played with all the different ways they could turn their heads to kiss, Ginny pressed herself closer to him, wanting him to feel the way her heart beat in her chest, wanting him to want to run his hands all over her body.
She was almost seventeen anyways. She had every right to be as perverted as he wanted to.
She pushed her hips against his, wanting to peak his arousal and was satisfied at the groan she elicited. She felt him turn her about and she was laid down on his bed. She scooted back, their lips never parting, and he was on top of her, dragging his fingertips down her sides. Everywhere he touched burned with desire, the desire for his hands to be there again but to travel elsewhere, all over.
She forced herself to stop thinking of all the things she really wanted to do and settled with the fact that they would have a good snog, rub each other up, but nothing more. She wouldn't be the girl that gave it all up in one night (even though she wanted to really bad). She wouldn't let her hormones take control of her better sense. She wouldn't.
Draco on the other hand was disadvantaged, his hormones killing any thinking process that could've occurred. The pressing of her body to his excited him on so many different levels it was like having sex on a roller coaster in the dark and upside down. He really didn't know what to do with all the information being presented to him at once. First and foremost her body fit so well with his that it couldn't be denied they belonged together at least physically.
Her lips were so supple and giving, each kiss made him want more. She tasted like mangos and pool water. With every breath she took her breasts pressed up against his chest and he wanted nothing more than to rip off that stupid swimming suit and ravage her body but restrained himself. He couldn't imagine how a family famous for not having girls in it could make such a perfect example.
Everywhere he touched her skin was silk and smooth, hot to the touch and curving around her hips and butt. Rolling them over so they were on their sides, he ventured her back, feeling the way it dipped and then protruded where her bum was. Pushing his hand across a well rounded cheek, Ginny inhaling sharply and inadvertently bucking her hips to his; he grabbed her thigh and hooked her leg over his.
Running his fingertips up and down the back of her thigh, he wondered how he couldn't have seen this before, this beauty. Even when he had lived with her for nearly five months or three or however long it had been he had known her for close to… His brain couldn't function with numbers when she was moaning into his mouth.
Ginny, feeling rather adventurous pushed Draco's body into the bed. Straddling him she pressed her crotch bluntly against his. Feeling his arousal in more ways than one, she nipped at his bottom lip and proceeded to attack his neck with kisses and licks and bites that made Draco twitch and press his fingertips into her thighs where he was holding on for dear life.
How she could bring him to this level of insanity in so short of time was beyond him, but he was also beyond thinking at that point. "Ginny…" He gasped, kissing her shoulder, her arm, any bit of skin that was close to his lips. "Ginny I lied; you aren't just a mate to me." He attempted to explain.
Ginny laughed and it sounded like bells ringing to him. "Of course I'm not; I don't think you'd kiss Crabbe or Goyle like this." She tucked the curls that had come loose from her bun behind her ears as she sat back to look him in the eyes.
Draco stuck his tongue out in disgust. "Terrible moment to be revolting, Gin."
She laughed again and he immediately forgave her. "Sorry, just making a point." She slid off of his lap and lay down beside him, wrapping an arm around his chest. Turning his head Draco indulged himself with another kiss, this one lingering for a few seconds as their lips took their time in parting.
"Are you going to make an honest girl out of me Draco?" Ginny asked, eyelids half closed.
Draco smirked and dropped his hand from her cheek to her stomach. "You want me to make an honest girl out of you?"
Ginny blanched and pinched his nipple receiving a "gods Ginny!" in return. "Not like that you pervert! I meant are you going to ask me out or not?"
Draco looked over at her, jaw slack. He hadn't really thought about that, he supposed it would have been obvious. "Well, of course I am. That's a stupid question. Why would I want you running around with Jared telling him that you're single?"
Ginny giggled and settled against him again. "Oh but Jared's just so handsome you know, Americans, they are rather pretty…"
"Don't be a wretch." Draco cringed, holding her tightly to him. "You're boyfriend is the finest looking bloke on the face of the planet and you'll think nothing else." He stated firmly.
Ginny smiled and watched him nod in a dominant fashion. "I know he is." She whispered and drank in the expression that crossed his face.
Draco turned his head to look her straight on, completely blown away that she would say something like that. He had only been playing; he wasn't expecting her to agree. Usually girls would brush him off, this time he was actually flattered. Blushing slightly he pressed a kiss to her lips. "I can't say I've been left wanting either."
"Aw," Ginny teased, poking his cheek. "A blushing Draco. Where's a camera when I need one?" She left a kiss on each cheek followed by a peck on his lips.
Draco took her hand in his and left a kiss to each knuckle, then the back of her hand, then her wrist, all the way up her arm until he couldn't reach. "I'm serious Ginny." He elevated himself onto his elbow so he could emphasize his point. He brushed a strand of red hair away from her face, tracing her jaw with his finger. "I'm sorry I've never said it before but you're absolutely gorgeous."
Not knowing how to reply Ginny began their second snog session and they continued into the night until they fell asleep, wrapped in each others arms.
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Ginny woke up to Draco's fingertips running long lines up and down her arm. The feeling was positively heavenly; his gentle caress combined with the heat his body provided her barely clothed body made this feel like home. Draco and I are dating. She thought, a ball of energy welling up inside of her, making her want to scream. If someone would have told her she and Draco Malfoy would be dating not six months into her stay at the Manor, she'd have them referred to St. Mungo's.
As Ginny stretched cat like in her spot, Draco's hand fell to her bare stomach. She turned and smiled up at him. "Morning." She almost whispered. His eyes were even more gorgeous than she had remembered. She had always thought that they were gray and icy. Now she saw they held a hint of blue, resembling silver more than gray, and when she thought them icy they were tumultuous and heated. Draco was an enigma and a gorgeous enigma.
Ginny pressed her body against his, marveling in his chiseled frame, running her fingertips lightly across his abs. Not washboard abs, but she hated overly muscular boys. No, Draco was just right. There was definition but not the rolling hills of English countryside on his stomach. More importantly, her fingers reminded her, his hair was silk.
"Morning." He whispered back, bringing a hand up to play with her red curls. For a moment they stared into each others eyes, playing with one another's hair until Draco took the initiative to lean in for a kiss.
Ginny clamped her mouth shut. "MM MMM!" She hummed, holding up her hands to bring space between them.
Draco furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, lifting in question.
"We haven't brushed our teeth, no way am I letting you taste my morning breath! Yuck!" She rolled out of the bed and grabbed her room key from the table. Holding it up she smirked. "I'll be back, I've just got to brush my teeth, shower, and get dressed."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Oh good so I'll just be waiting for about half a day for that then?" Ginny waved him off and blew a kiss which pacified him enough for her to leave the room.
Ginny marched the few feet across the hall and brandishing her room key, prepared to swipe it before hearing a voice behind her.
"Ginny! Pleasant surprise!"
Oh gods no… She turned, false smile plastered on her face. "Jared! Imagine seeing you here!"
Jared shrugged. "Well my floor's the one above this one and I was just having a walk around…" Sure, Ginny thought, and Harry and Draco are best friends.
"That so?" She raised her eyebrows and smiled in feigned shock. Covering her mouth delicately, she nodded slowly, looking down each end of the hallway. Silence fell over them.
"So, where you coming from?" Jared asked, edges of his mouth twitching.
She opened her mouth to answer when Draco's door swung open. "Gin you left-" He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of the American. Jared. Draco visibly tensed, standing straighter and flexing every visible muscle in his body. "Ah yes, you must be Jason." Draco extended his hand. "Don't think we've formally met, I'm Draco Malfoy."
Jared took Draco's hand, forcing a smile. "It's Jared act-"
Draco was wreaking jealousy at this point. "Why yes of course it is," He interrupted, withdrawing his hand and looking to Ginny with a cocked eyebrow. She knew this meant no good news. "Anyways, Gins you left these." The last word dripped off his tongue like molasses as he held out the clothes she had changed out of for her swimming suit. She blanched.
Jared reddened in exponential degree and muttered something about not missing the continental breakfast and took off for the elevator. Once he was out of sight Ginny stared at Draco, mouth hanging open. "I cannot believe you just did that."
Draco shrugged nonchalantly, taking her room key from her hand and swiping it through the idiotic mechanism on the door. Twisting the door handle he ushered her into the room and closed the door behind him.
"I cannot believe you just did that! What did I tell you last night about me being a tramp?" Ginny paused. "About me not being a tramp!" She corrected.
Draco smirked. "Ginny dear, you obviously don't understand this whole dating concept. If another man tries to, forgive the word choice, weasel his way in with my girl…" By this point his upper lip had curled and his smile had faded into a very ugly snarl. "Then I have no choice but to claim my territory outright and put the bastard back in his place. No one, I repeat no one touches my girl or thinks about it and by the look on his face when he saw me he was clearly thinking about it until I got there."
Ginny couldn't help but be elated at Draco's jealousy. All of her previous flings had either been petty or oblivious when it came to the topic of other men. Seamus had insisted Ron was flirting with her (which made her gag) and Harry wouldn't notice another boy rubbing her bum if she didn't point it out.
Ginny smiled.
Draco tilted his head, hesitant at what she might be thinking. "What?"
Ginny hooked her fingers together in front of her, turning slightly so she looked innocent. "You called me your girl…" She purred.
Draco looked like a fish, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly, searching for a reply. "I… you… he…"
"You really like me don't you Draco." Ginny continued her dance as she wiggled up to him, dropping her tone of voice slightly as she sad his name.
Draco blushed furiously and Ginny smiled.
"Don't be… frenm…"
Ginny cocked an eyebrow, a smirk that rivaled one of Draco's own on her lips. "Frenm? And which language would that be exactly?" She teased, running a finger up and down his chest. He was clearly not used to being a couple yet.
"Just… you… Dammit go brush your teeth!" Turning on his heel he slammed the door behind him.
Smiling in victory, having paid Draco back for humiliating her, she gathered up the things she would need for her shower. A knock sounded at her door and for a second she was afraid it might be Jared again. Looking through the peephole she saw a rather seething Draco. Opening the door he looked at her petulantly. "Left my key in my room." He muttered and threw himself into the chair at the opposite end of the room, brooding and staring out the window.
Shaking her head, Ginny took her shower, brushed her teeth and dressed. Appearing in her room, a billow of steam following her from the bathroom, she was delighted to see Draco's reaction to her clothes. She was wearing a knee length skirt that was essentially a skirt ten times too big for her bunched up by elastic at the waist. This made the skirt flow and sway and be able to expand when she curtseyed (not that she would need to, but the skirt was pretty). Her chest was almost spilling out of a black, sleeveless, Queen Anne neckline-d top.
Draco's jaw was brushing his chest as he lounged in the chair. She looked amazing.
Ginny smirked, walking over to him with a raised eyebrow. "Now we've go to get you all cleaned up." She stated, holding out her hand for him to take. He entwined his fingers with hers and stood. They made it nearly to the door when realization dawned on Draco.
"Oh, wait." He went back to the table next to the chair he had previously occupied and picked up an owl. "I bet I got one too, it's from mum." He handed the note to Ginny and stopped at the door. "Will you join me to get a spare key to my room?"
Ginny smiled and held out a key to him. "I nabbed one of your spares just in case." She handed it to him and looked down at the owl. "Lemme read this owl real quick and I'll head over to your room with you."
Draco nodded in compliance and sat down on the bed, waiting for her to finish the owl.
Ginny,
I'm sorry I sent you two away so quickly but I had some business to attend to. I'll be finished up around noon and Lee has invited us for tea, a tour around his grounds, and dinner tonight. Be ready at two. I trust you to make the appropriate judgment call on attire. I hope you've enjoyed your time so far in America.
Narcissa
Ginny looked up at Draco. "We're invited to dinner at Lee's tonight."
Draco nodded. "Well then, I'll have to pick something nice to wear."
Ginny frowned and looked down at her outfit. "Do you think I should change?"
Draco shook his head, smiling. "I think you look positively fabulous." He paused. "And I look fabulous all the time but I do need to dress in something a bit more cohesive with what tonight will hold."
Ginny rolled her eyes at his arrogance.
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Ginny and Draco had spent the rest of the morning trying to use the television but to no avail. The driver of the town car came by both their rooms (although they were held up in Draco's so they could snog intermittently) and they were off for Lee's. In the backseat of the car they held hands as Ginny watched the scenery fly by. She had never been in a car for this long before (it was a thirty minute drive to Lee's since his house was in the middle of his expanse of land) and the times she had come with her parents they'd always traveled by portkey.
She sighed, wondering if she would ever see them before the war was over.
Her eyes darkened.
Or if she would see them after that.
Draco could tell something was amiss and hooked his finger beneath her chin, leaning in to leave a light kiss against her lips. "You alright then?"
Ginny threw on a smile and nodded, fighting back the tears in her eyes. Draco had made it clear that her life was far better than his and she didn't want to hear him call her lucky again. Although, she knew she was.
They pulled up to the gravel circle in front of Lee's cottage and Ginny was helped out of the car by Draco who, surprisingly to Ginny, kept his hand at the bottom of her back as they walked up to the house. Surely, she thought, he would tone down the public displays of affection around his mother?
Lee opened the door before they reached the front step and let them in, cracking one joke after another. After Ginny was in stitches, Draco eyeing her confusedly, Lee feeling quite pleased that he had amused Ginny so much, they all found themselves on his back porch where Narcissa was sitting in a rocking chair.
Ginny's breath caught in her throat at the sight of the woman. She looked positively beautiful sitting there. Her long pale blonde hair was flying in the wind like ribbons and her cheeks had a healthy blush to them. Ginny brushed her own windswept strands behind her ears. Narcissa turned to acknowledge them both and Ginny swore for the first time Narcissa looked genuinely happy. "Ah, Draco, Ginevra, forgive me for not standing I find I'm a bit weak today."
Draco moved before Ginny could even register what all was going on. Something wasn't wrong here, and she was glad. Narcissa always seemed like she was busy or annoyed or something when at the Manor, but now… something wasn't wrong, it seemed being here in America made everything right and the planets align so that Narcissa could forget all of her burdens and be happy. Actually happy.
"No worries, mother. There's rarely anything more important than one's health." Narcissa nodded, used to Draco's cordiality. Ginny followed Draco over to the bench across from Narcissa where they both sat down, their backs to the land behind them. Narcissa looked past them to the trees covering Lee's land.
"It's absolutely lovely here, isn't it children? I'm always amazed when I come here. It's always a little bit like home but always so much different." Narcissa's eyes showed a deeper meaning and Ginny had to look away for fear of intruding on a private moment. Ginny knew Narcissa was here because of Lucius. This was her escape.
"It's gorgeous." Ginny breathed, taking in her surroundings at last. Lee stepped onto the porch holding a tray of drinks and after dispersing them he joined the silent audience of the nature around them. Ginny inhaled the scents deeply. Grass, rain clouds, trees. Narcissa was right, there was something so different about this place, it felt free.
Ginny looked to Narcissa and found her voice at last. "Thank you for bringing me here, to America I mean, I've never actually been to this state before." Narcissa's eyes searched Ginny's. It seemed that at once the bond they had built was re-established (if it had ever gone away at all) and Narcissa smiled.
"Where have you been? I don't travel the states much, most of my business remains closer to home, Lee's is the most I've seen of America really." Narcissa's voice was rich and warm, a far cry from the strict instructor Ginny had known during their lessons.
"Washington, D.C. mainly." Ginny replied.
Draco made a face at her. "Washington, D.C? You mean like during Christ? Well, that's foolish; they named a state after a religion?"
There was silence before Ginny fell into a fit of giggles followed by Lee. Narcissa grinned. Draco merely sneered. "No, no! D.C stands for District of Columbia!" Ginny restrained her laughter.
Draco grew red in the cheeks. "It's still a foolish name. Much like that North Virginia business." He muttered.
Ginny froze. "North Virginia?"
"Yes," Draco continued on nonchalantly, "That one state that looks like a hen leg."
Ginny blinked. "You mean West Virginia?" She bit the insides of her cheeks to keep from smiling.
"Bloody hell if I know which direction it's in!" He shouted and stood, crossing the porch to brood on the other side.
Ginny looked to Narcissa who rolled her eyes. "Lee, won't you take Draco around and show him the property?" Lee nodded with a knowing look and left Ginny and Narcissa alone. Ginny watched until Draco and Lee were far out of earshot. "Ginny," Narcissa began. Ginny turned to her. "I have a question."
Ginny nodded, folding her hands onto her lap and looking at the woman with slightly raised brows.
"What exactly is your relationship with my son at this time?" Ginny nearly choked on her own air. That wasn't quite the question she had been expecting from Narcissa.
Blushing furiously, she cleared her throat and attempted an answer. "Well, we had made friends see, and-"
"You two are dating." Narcissa finished.
Ginny gulped. "You could tell?"
Narcissa grinned. "I know my son, Ginny. Rarely does he blush or storm off when in my presence. In fact I've never seen my son blush before. It was an assumption not far out of question." Narcissa explained.
Ginny nodded in return. Now that she thought about it she hadn't seen Draco start blushing until just recently.
"Ginny, there's a conversation that we must have, one that I thought may never come but I fear it has to." Narcissa suddenly looked as if she had drawn herself inward, left her body. Her eyes became bit vacant as Ginny waited for her to continue. "You see Ginny, I must admit I've lied before. I know it's not very lady like and if I expect truth from you I should live up to my own standards shouldn't I?"
Ginny frowned. What was Narcissa getting at, she wondered?
"Ginny, Lee and I are seeing each other." Narcissa stated. Ginny nearly dropped her jaw on the floor. "We have been for some time now." Narcissa turned her attentions back to where Lee and Draco were standing off a ways, discussing something. Lee's hand was on Draco's shoulder and he was motioning to the trees. "I'm sure Draco has explained to you my reasoning for coming her."
Narcissa knew, it wasn't as if she was asking Ginny to confess, she was telling Ginny she knew. Ginny nodded anyways.
"Well, that's not how I met Lee, but it is a reason we became so close." Narcissa sighed, pushing her blonde hair behind her ear. "There are some things I can't tell you now, but you will find out soon. Just know that things at the Manor will change soon. Very soon."
Narcissa's cryptic message left Ginny in a haze the whole day. Narcissa had told her that Draco didn't know about Lee, that he wasn't ready to know back then, but that maybe someday he would be. Ginny couldn't tell if Narcissa was asking Ginny to relay the information, but just in case she kept it to herself. Dinner went over well, conversation that directed around trivial things. Ginny noticed the looks Lee and Narcissa exchanged with one another.
Before Draco and Ginny departed that night Narcissa explained that they would be leaving back for the Manor the next morning and to rest well. Ginny guessed that although Narcissa had bought three rooms at the hotel, she hadn't spent a second hers. Ginny didn't blame her. She suspected that Narcissa and Lee were in love and if Lucius ever found out Lee would be dead and Narcissa even worse. The only way they could see each other was for Lee to treat the wounds she received from Lucius.
Not exactly the best circumstances but in Ginny's eyes it glimmered with romance. The drive back Draco was talking about Lee building a bigger house on the land, one big enough for six people to stay there. Ginny straightened in her seat.
Maybe that's what Narcissa meant, maybe she's going to leave Lucius and move to America with Lee! Ginny kept her mouth shut when it came to Lee and Narcissa being in love and joined Draco in flirtatious banter.
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Draco opened the door to his room and waited for Ginny to walk in before following her, flicking on the lights. Ginny set down her bag on the nearby chair and as she stood felt Draco wrap his arms around her waist. "You smell wonderful."
Ginny smiled, caressing his forearms. "Thank you." She whispered, not sure what to say back.
Draco turned her about and ran his fingers through her red curls, holding her cheeks with his palms as he kissed her. She settled her hands against his chest and they stood there for a few moments, engulfing each other in heated body rubbing and general tonsil hockey until Ginny pressed lightly on his chest, begging for air. Gasping lightly she opened her eyes to find Draco smiling at her.
"What?" She asked, turning her head in curiosity.
"I just thought of something." He smirked.
Ginny raised an eyebrow in question.
"Exactly what are we going as to the All Hallows Eve Ball?"
Ginny groaned. She'd forgotten they had another ball coming up soon. "How did you ever go to school and all these balls at the same time?" She asked, pouting.
Draco shrugged, loosening his tie and dropping his gray jacket on top of her clutch. "Most of the balls happened over breaks or something. That or I'd miss balls at Hogwarts for them."
Ginny frowned. "That doesn't seem fair."
Draco left a peck on her cheek as he kicked off his dress shoes. "No worries, I guess you didn't notice but most of the Slytherin house was absent for balls, all of them were at the parties my parents threw. It was always very important to keep up the right image." He explained. Ginny nodded, dropping her tired body onto his bed, kicking off her heels. She felt the bed depress beside her and an arm curl around her waist, pulling her close.
She smiled, eyes closed as she relaxed in Draco's embrace. "It's strange." She muttered.
"What is?" Draco replied into her hair.
"That after being enemies for so long we could fall into a relationship so easily."
Draco snorted. "I wouldn't call it easy; I had to deal with the gang bang before I could get to you."
Ginny spun around, appalled at his choice of words. "Gang bang?!"
Draco smirked. "Yeah, that's what we called your brother, scar head and that know-it-all Granger. We all figured they were so close they probably bedded each other at the same time."
Ginny nearly wretched on him. "That is the last image I want in my mind right now, thanks."
Draco pulled her down onto the bed and crawled on top of her. "Let me replace it with something more pleasant then…" He dragged his hands up her sides, kissing her deeply. Ginny's legs involuntarily wrapped around his waist as he did so, her hands massaging the planes of his back.
Draco began to kiss her more fervently and elicited a light moan from Ginny. Pleased with himself, he curled his hand around her leg, hooking it behind her knee and rubbing his hips against hers. Ginny pulled back and breathed heavily against his ear as he dropped kisses down her neck. "Is that your wand in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" She teased.
Draco grunted and drew back, pressing himself against her roughly. "Guess." His cracking voice made Ginny shiver. He dragged his lips down her collarbone to the cleavage he had full advantage of taking. His hot breath nearly took Ginny's own away and she reached her hands up to tangle in his hair. Eyes closed she secretly wanted to be as intimate and passionate as possible with him. It didn't make sense to her that after less than twenty four hours she was ready to give herself up to him.
As a hand came up to massage her left breast, Draco's lips covering hers, Ginny questioned whether Draco would respect her if she did in fact let anything more than snogging happen.
And then the mood was gone. Pushing him back as his fingers played with the collar of her top she pushed herself back away from him. "Maybe we shouldn't move so fast."
"Why not, is everything alright?"
"Yes it's just…" She looked away, not wanting to bring it up. Not wanting to know that she thought he'd lose respect for her.
"What?" He pulled her hands to his lips and encircled her in an embrace. "Ginny, tell me what you were thinking."
Ginny bit her lip and gave in, trusting that the truth would yield what was best for her anyways. "It's just we haven't been an actual couple for more than a day and it seems… sudden for you to be grabbing me all over the place like that I don't…" She couldn't finish the sentence.
"Ginny, I'm sorry if you don't feel the same way but I've been attracted to you since you stepped foot in my house. Quite frankly I feel like we've had months together, just took a long time to get physical that's all."
"I've liked you since then too." She admitted. She shook her head. "No!" She ripped herself from his arms and stood, fists at her sides. "Tell me this isn't your charm! Tell me this isn't just you being charming!"
Draco looked stunned. "How could you say something like that?"
"How could I not? Draco I've only had the past few months to erase years of history with you and even those past few months have been shrouded in banter and sarcasm!" Ginny blushed furiously, turning away from him. "I don't want to be just another girl Draco, I don't want that again."
"Ginny how in the world could you- Again? What in bloody hell is that supposed to mean?" He stood, twisting Ginny around to look at him. "In Merlin's name tell me you did not just compare me to Blaise." His voice was icy and Ginny shivered.
She shook her head, looking down. "No." Her eyes stung with tears.
"Then who?"
She turned away from him again, arms crossing her chest. "I don't want to talk about it."
Draco threw his hands up in frustration. "Dammit Ginny if we don't talk about it then I'll be pissed and you'll be pissed and that doesn't do well for a relationship! You have to talk to me!"
"You actually care about us?" Ginny whispered. "This?"
Draco fumed but walked around her so he could look at her straight on. Tipping her chin up, he saw the tears down her cheeks and wiped them away. "How can someone so smart be so stupid?" He sighed. "Ginny, trust me, if I didn't care I wouldn't have let you stay in this room after practically running away from me and accusing me of treating you like just another girl. If I didn't care about you I would've thrown you into the hallway and told you to deal with your own damn problem."
Ginny looked down, not sure what to think about what he had just said to her.
"Dammit Ginny you've got to understand this okay? So listen to me and look at me, look at me so you know I'm not lying."
She looked up into his eyes and bit her bottom lip.
"Ginny, you make me nervous. You make me very nervous. That's why I was always so rude to you at dinner and such. I didn't know how to act around you and I resorted to being mean. I know I was being a prat and I fully admit I'm damn good at it but I'm also sorry." He paused. "And as for being charming, never would I try to coerce you into doing anything you didn't want to do."
Ginny smiled. "But that's the problem isn't it?"
Draco frowned. "What is?"
Ginny brought her gaze to his, tears gone. She dropped her arms and took his hands into hers. "I do want to."
((A/N: The cliffhanger: noun, authorial insurance that readers will come back for more…))
