Chapter 11: An Unlikely Rescue
Draco waited until the sounds of footsteps had faded into the distance before getting up from his position on the floor. He didn't bother meeting Blaise's eyes. Whose unusual staring habit could get pretty annoying. He had more important things to worry about.
He needed to find that letter from his father from the night before.
The proper thing to do would have been to destroy it directly after reading. But he'd been careless and now it was lost. That letter, though short, had been vitally important and could be used as evidence against him. He took a couple steps back, pointed his want at the bed and tried summoning it. Nothing happened.
Frustrated he ran his hands through his hair and took a seat on the edge of his bed. His desperate search wasn't helped by the fact that Ginny's face kept popping up in his mind. The night before had left its mark on him. He hadn't been able to sleep at all. Whenever he'd closed his eyes visions of a pale snake-faced, red-eyed, man would appear and startle him awake.
He had returned to Hogwarts fully intent upon completing his mission, so that that degree of pain would never again be inflicted on him. So that his family would be protected and Voldemort would turn his attentions on some other unlucky person.
But as soon as he'd walked into the dormitory and saw her standing there innocently, everything he'd been set on had come crashing down. Stupid blood-traitor brat! Look what she had done to him; caused him to ignore, if even for a moment, the safety of his family and the safety of himself. He couldn't even bring himself to look at her, though he'd wanted to so much. Just to see what she thought of him now, though surely she had no idea of what he had to do, to her, to himself, before this would all be over. His meeting with the Dark Lord had turned everything around. Had made this all seem so much more real.
He let out a shaky breath and fiddled with his wand to stop the shaking in his hands. He would just have to go through with it and it'd be done. Suddenly, a loud, shrill voice could be heard from below. He turned to look at Blaise who had gotten to his feet and was staring at the door of the dormitory.
"WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?" The voice shrieked loudly and obnoxiously, cutting through the stone walls. There was a muffled reply and more loud shouting, followed by a loud echoing bang. Realizing suddenly what was going on Draco jumped to his feet and flew down the stairs, Blaise right behind him.
There were several people in the common room now, grouped around a set of three students. Ginny's ginger hair stood out clearly in the mass of black and green. Her wand was out and pointed directly at the person opposite her. Next to her stood Nott, who had his wand out as well, but it was merely gripped loosely in his hand.
Opposite them, just as he knew she would be, stood Pansy Parkinson. She was just standing up, her robes ruffled. She appeared to have just been thrown backward and crashed into the wooden table, which now lay in pieces on the floor.
"How dare you, you filthy little blood-traitor!" She yelled at Ginny raising her wand arm. Before she could say a curse, however, Ginny had waved her wand again. Pansy was knocked over by the force of the hex. She began to yell and scream. Ginny had cast her famous Bat-Bogey Hex.
Deciding it was best to get Ginny out of here while he still had time, and before any of the punishment loving teachers showed up, he rushed forward. Ginny was visibly angry and at first she didn't even seem to realize that Draco had a hold on her. He wrapped an arm around her waist and began pulling her toward the exit to the common room.
When they reach the cool quiet of the dungeon hall Ginny seemed to realize that Draco was there with her.
"What are you doing, Malfoy?" She asked coldly, pulling herself from his grip. Draco flinched mentally at her cold tone and replyed somewhat gruffly,
"Rescuing you, obviously." And a hint of his old sneer reach his lips. "No need to be so ungrateful."
Fire burned in Ginny's eyes as she looked up at him. Draco heard again, Pansy's insult of filthy blood-traitor echoing in his ears. As he looked down at Ginny though, he couldn't find one filthy thing about her.
The anger in her eyes turned to confusion, and Draco realized a second to late that his eyes must be relaying some of his thoughts. Shaking his head for a second he looked at her again with his usual smirk. Then an idea came to him so readily it was as though the thought had been there all along.
"Well then Weasley, if you've got nothing better to do today…" His words trailed off for a split second as his heart picked up speed. "Would you mind joining me for the day? It does seem as though you've got yourself into a little bit of trouble and I think I know the perfect place we can go to let it cool off."
Ginny seemed surprised at his words and her eyes looked around her once and into his eyes for several seconds before she responded.
"I guess I've got nothing better to do Malfoy." She said still slightly suspicious and then added as an afterthought, "As long as we go no where near Parkinson or I might have to curse her so badly she'll be unable to remember the meaning of the word pureblood."
Draco couldn't hold back an actual smile and even received a small one in return.
"Well then," He said "If you'll follow me. We are in a bit of a hurry; the teachers will be around the corner any moment."
Draco started off quickly and Ginny kept a good pace behind him. Just as they were about to branch off to the stairs leading upward, a small mass of loud voices could be heard hurrying down the stairs. Grabbing Ginny's hand, Draco pulled her off into a small nook in the dark dungeon wall. They were squished in face to face. He could barely see her outline, but he could feel her. The heat from her body pressed up against his. He sucked in his breath and her smell overwhelmed him. It was warm and sweet.
He forced himself to concentrate on the approaching voices. It couldn't be more then two or three. Then in the distance he saw the outline of the brother and sister teachers; two of the worst punishers in the school, hurrying toward the Slytherin common room, talking loudly, wands at the ready.
As soon as they had stormed past, Draco slipped from the nook and holding tightly to Ginny's hand lead her as quickly as he could up the stairs. Ducking occasionally, they gradually made it up to the seventh floor.
"The room of requirement?" Ginny asked, when she'd realized where they were going. She didn't appear to notice that he still had a hold of her hand, and the familiarity of it made him smile at her.
"It's the safest place. I assume you know how it works. Since that stupid group you were in used it as a hideaway." Ginny smacked his arm and he smirked at her, resisting the urge to rub away at the sudden pain. "Now if you'll stand back just a moment."
He held her back, and then began pacing three times in front of the blank stretch of wall as fast as he could. He knew it had worked when he saw the great door, suddenly appeared in the wall.
"Come on," He said grabbing her hand again and pulled her into the room. He closed the door as soon as she was in, silently telling the room to keep them safe inside. He turned around to find everything exactly as he'd imagined it.
The room was lit by a strong glowing fire. The flames flickered warmly across a long couch placed nicely in front of it. An elegantly carved wooden table stood to the side of the couch. It was small and cozy.
"They'll be looking for you for a while, might as well get comfortable." He said simply, taking a seat on the couch. It was as comfortable as it looked, and he pushed himself into a pillow, leaning back. He turned to look at her; she was still standing in the doorway. Her red hair glowed in the light of the fire and the expression on her face was almost unreadable.
For some sudden reason he wished he had more experience with girls. Then maybe this would've been easier. He would know what she was thinking. How she reacted to him. Her big brown eyes shined in her face and he longed to know what she was thinking.
Awkwardly he patted the seat next to him. Unsure what to do with himself. She smiled awkwardly as well and moved slowly to sit beside him. It came to mind the other times they'd been alone together. He could practically feel his lips burning just at the thought.
"Well, Draco, I guess I should say thank you. Even though it is your fault I'm here in the first place." Ginny said, taking a seat on the couch within arms length from Draco. He didn't bother responding and had to stop himself from staring at her. The pain that had scarred him from Voldemorts most recent attack was numbed now. His entire being was focused on Ginny.
He stared into the cheerfully burning fire, as realization hit him. He wasn't sure how or when but this stubborn, red-headed, blood-traitor, had somehow become more important to him then his own life. He didn't even have to repress a shiver at the thought. In fact his whole body seemed to be screaming at him, as though it was glad he was finally acknowledging the truth.
He groaned slightly and leaned back even more, closing his eyes. He felt Ginny stir next to him but he refused to open his eyes.
"Tired." He said simply, so that she wouldn't question him. He knew he certainly looked it. He could feel her gaze on him, more aware of her now, then he'd ever been before. But he kept his eyes shut. He felt her shift slightly so that she was more comfortable.
Opening his eye only a sliver, he saw that she was snuggled up into the pillow next to him, her eyes closed. Deciding he may as well use this time to get some rest he leaned back more comfortable and closed his eyes.
Keeping his eyes shut he inhaled deeply. He was overwhelmed by a sweet, warm scent that he instantly recognized as Ginny. He opened his eyes a sliver and was overwhelmed with flaming red hair. He paused for a moment before realizing that Ginny was asleep on top of him. Her head rested against his shoulder, her arm lying limply on his chest.
He was scared to move and wake her. But he was starting to feel cramped under her sleeping weight. He stared down at her, comprehending what he should do, when he noticed her fingers curled lightly on his chest. Ginny's hands were soft and small and he felt the urge to take it in his own. Hesitantly, he lifted his hand and slowly placed it over hers; careful not to wake her.
Her hand was soft and warm and he held it lightly. Her fingers squeezed his in her sleep and he held his breath, wondering if she'd waken. After a minute, when he was sure she was still asleep, he relaxed. His fingers gently traced her hand and her skin felt silky against his. He lost himself in the perfection of her fingers and didn't notice when she shifted again. Her face turned up to look at him and her eyes opened sleepily.
"Draco?" Her voice was quiet and soft, as though she spoke from a dream. He looked at her face and he couldn't stop himself from reaching out and touching her cheek. Ginny's eyes closed at the touch and a small smile played on her lips, lips that caused a sudden fire to erupt in him; a wanting, urgent need.
Instinct took over and he carefully brushed his lips against hers. Her response was instant. Her hand reach up to the back of his head, her fingers twisting themselves in his hair. His hand cupped her face, pulling her closer to him. She shifted herself so that she was at a better angle and pushed herself as close to him as she could.
Draco wrapped an arm around her back, pulling her even closer. He closed his eyes allowing himself to be lost in the moment. Their kissing intensified, and Draco could sense were it was going. Nervousness crept up on him and his hands started to shake. He kept them busy, hoping she wouldn't notice. She didn't appear to but she stopped in their frantic kissing for just a moment. Bringing her head back a few inches and meeting his eyes.
It was as though there were no other thoughts in his head but her. He couldn't focus on anything but her. There was no pureblood or blood-traitors, mudblood and scum. There wasn't even a Voldemort.
There was just Ginny Weasley.
She smiled at him boldly and he could sense she wanted him. He pulled her too him once again and she came willingly. Her fingers tracing down his chest and he could feel the need in him build.
She smiled at him mischievously, kissing him more slowly and softly. When he could take it no more he lifted her gently from his lap and laid her back on the couch. Kissing her deeply, losing himself in the moment.
He took in every second of it, from the way her fiery hair spilled across the pillow, to her voice as she called out his name. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. No where in his mind was even an ounce of disgust that she was a Weasley; a sworn blood-traitor.
All he could think about was her.
Only afterward, while her breathing slowed into the deep breathes of sleep, her naked arm around him comfortingly, did he begin to feel the slight rising of guilt. It bubbled in him, slightly numbed by her presence, as all his hateful emotions usually were.
He ran a hand through his tussled, sweaty hair, sighing deeply, his hand shaking slightly again. He knew it would only get worse though when the guilt hit him full force later. What had he just done to her?
A/N: Wow, finally another update! A lot happened here, it took me quite a bit to figure out how I was going to fit it all in. It is suppose to be like this and don't worry your not missing anything. Its suppose to be a little shocker/surprise. Please leave a review! They really inspire me to write.
