-x-
Shades of Green
Chapter Eleven: For All Things Unrequited
-x-
It had been a little over a month since her blow out with Draco and their interactions were perfectly perfunctorily, she was much frostier with him than she had ever been but he was indifferent. He didn't display even a hint of annoyance at her snide comments or bitchy attitude, which only served to piss her off more.
Who was he to ignore her when she was ignoring him.
Everyone else noticed though and made no hesitation to comment on it. Cassius and Terence even went so far as to tell her she was being as bad to Draco as Kennedy had been to Blaise in past years.
She certainly didn't enjoy that comparison. The year that Kennedy and Blaise had been dating had been by far the worst Quidditch year Slytherin House had ever seen. They'd won three games all season, three, and two of them were against Hufflepuff, the last one had been because three of Ravenclaw's players had been unable to attend the game because of a Potions club meeting so they were using their bench.
It gave her shivers just thinking about it, it was the horrible.
At least she was able to be professional with him on the field.
What was worse than that though, since the few games Astoria had sat in when Blaise had been injured, she had been hanging around Draco nonstop. Asking him to train with her, hoping to get better for "next season" so she could make the team as a permanent instead of a replacement.
She was constantly fluttering her eyelashes and trying to push her breasts in his face and it all did nothing but annoy the living crap out of Ginny.
Why the hell was she so caught up on Draco anyway, didn't she have anyone else to obsess over?
Currently, Ginny was glaring over her potions book in the common room, as the pair said in the corner. Astoria was all over him, trying to get his attention on way or another.
What was the shittiest part about the whole thing was that Draco wasn't even blatantly rebuffing her attempts.
Sure, he wasn't really obliging her either.
But why the hell hadn't he told her to sod off yet?
She is really pretty…
That stupid know it all voice pointed out in her head.
Ginny just huffed, before trying to concentrate on what she was reading. Though the two of them made it terribly hard.
Why the hell did she care anyway, Draco Malfoy should be the last of her concern anyway.
Still… she hated overhearing conversations like the one right now.
"…Well, what would you name your son?"
Draco didn't look very interested, his eyes were on his cursebreaking textbook, "Not sure." He answered.
"I've been thinking about it for forever." The dark haired beauty said with wide green eyes, "I want one of each, more than that would just be too much—
"I've always thought having a big family would be nice, a bunch of kids." Draco said with a shrug. "Growing up without siblings might complex you into that though, I suppose."
Astoria nodded fervently, "Oh well, I can totally understand that. And I would love to have more than two too. Two of each would even be nice." She immediately changed her answer.
Ginny just snorted to herself, how transparent could this girl be.
Draco's knowing smirk wasn't lost on her either, he knew what he was doing.
Clearly, he was toying with the girl on some level.
"I think I'd wanna name my daughter Calliope." She continued serenely, "Or Callista."
Draco nodded distractedly, barely listening to what she was saying.
"I like the name Damien for a boy or Daniel…" She said. "Perhaps even Draconius… like the constellation?" Astoria hinted.
Ginny felt like throwing her textbook at the back of her stupid head, the only reason she didn't do it was because she knew she wouldn't miss. And she wasn't really feeling up to sending Astoria to the hospital wing tonight.
Draco looked at her with raised eyebrows, "I'd never name my son after myself." He said giving her a weird look, "Though I suppose you could name yours after me." He said cockily, not quite sure why or how this conversation even emerged. "By the way, the constellation is Draconis." He corrected her off handedly.
All the girl ever wanted to talk about was about events so far in the future he had never even contemplated them before. But that was mostly because he thought he'd die in service of the Dark Lord since he was fifteen.
He never thought he'd even make it that far, what would have been the point of thinking about it.
Still, he didn't care to give it much thought now either.
"Well, then what would you say?" She persisted.
Draco was reaching the end of his short patience, why was she being so damn annoying. "Probably Scorpius." He answered, slamming his textbook shut, successfully startling her.
"Oh, that's a wonderful name!" She clapped her hands together happily,
Actually, it was a terrible name, Ginny thought. But she figured Draco could say he wanted to name his son knargles and Astoria would be enamored with it.
She hung on his every word like he was God himself.
It was sickening.
"Well, I'm going to go now, Astoria." Draco announced.
She looked dejected, "Will you fly with me tomorrow?" She asked.
"Probably not." He answered dryly, "I've got a few things I have to take care of."
She looked even more disappointed, "Well, if you find the time, you'll owl me?" She asked hopefully.
"Sure." It wasn't believable in the least bit.
Ginny would feel bad for the girl, but she couldn't find it in her. Because for some reason she hated how clingy Astoria had become to Draco, though she had no reason to feel that way. But also because of that conversation she had overheard between the brunette and her friends (or at least, that's what Ginny liked to tell herself.)
It was just annoying because she wouldn't have to feel any of this confusion and rage and whatever else if she hadn't been so insistent on having Astoria on the team.
It was all her own doing, that was the most frustrating part in all this.
Plus the fact that she and Draco had been making progress, he was finally letting her glimpse into his world (though why she even wanted that, was beyond her) and he surreptitiously took it away.
So caught up in her own musings, she didn't even notice him standing over her.
It wasn't until he was directly in the light that she noticed his shadow covering her book.
Her eyes snapped up to his cool grey ones, immediately it was like someone had sent a shock down her spine.
His gaze was electrifying.
Ginny just glared at him, before shutting her textbook and getting up. Regardless of what conflicted feelings she might have, she had nothing to say to him.
When she moved to walk past him, he grabbed her arm. "Don't." He said firmly.
"Don't what?" She hissed, whirling around to face him.
"Don't walk away from me." He said levelly.
She snatched her arm out of his grip, "I'll do what I damn well please." She said, her light brown eyes narrowing fiercely.
"Can't I just talk to you?" He asked, a slight edge to his voice.
He was tired and frustrated and talking to Astoria had brought him to his wit's end.
The last thing he needed was to be arguing with Ginny Weasley.
"We've gone most of our lives without speaking, Malfoy. I think we can go the rest of the year the same way."
It stung a little that she said that, but he figured he probably deserved it.
"You surprised me that night—
"I am not talking about this." She refused to be mortified all over again.
Draco pulled an irritated hand though his sleek hair of silver and gold. "I just mean that…" She didn't let him finish, she was already walking away.
"Hey." He caught her wrist, stopping her for a second time, "I'm talking to you." He said more forcefully, he was not one to be blatantly ignored.
She could hear it in his tone, "I'm done listening." She stated as a matter of factly.
"I'm just trying to apologize to you, god damn it!" He growled. "Why the hell do you have to be so fucking difficult?" He demanded.
"Because you're a moron." She answered, "And because I don't need your apology so you can take it and shove it up your—
He pressed two fingers into her lips, she talked way too much, "I don't care if you need it, I'm sorry." He finally got out what he'd been meaning to say for weeks now.
Because since that kiss, he couldn't think of anything but her. She was everywhere and when she wasn't physically present she was annoyingly invading his subconscious, with her soft red hair and amber eyes and scent of daisies and strawberries.
As much as he tried to stay away from her, put distance between them so he could stop wanting to be around her, it wouldn't go away. He just felt himself yearning to be in her presence more and more.
Something about her being compelled his own, it was unexplainable.
He knew they would never work, he had no misconceptions about it. But for the first time, he was willing to be her friend.
He'd never really went out of his way to be anyone's friend before, they just sort of happened to him. All pureblood families knew each other, all the children attended the same private grammar schools and participated in the same aristocratic, bourgeois extracurricular activities.
He never really cared much for them though, it didn't really matter to him if they were in his life or not.
But for some reason, he wanted to keep Ginny around. And he'd even learn how to be her friend if that kept her in his life somehow.
Though he wasn't quite sure how to be a good friend, he would try for her sake.
She was surprised, mostly because he looked so sincere when he said it.
He was actually sorry.
"I know you don't want to talk about what happened, but I was just trying to keep things from getting complicated for you." He said honestly.
She sighed, "Okay."
He raised his eyebrows, "That it?" he asked.
Another sigh, "Well, what do you want me to say?" She asked tiredly. "I kissed you, you pushed me away and told me you have a million girls throwing themselves at you so you don't need me…Am I supposed to be relieved that you said all that because you were trying to "protect" me?" She asked rhetorically, rolling her eyes.
"Not when you put it like that." He muttered.
"I'm not putting it like anything, that's what happened."
"Not quite."
Ginny just shook her head, "I'm not going to argue over the specifics, we both know what happened." She kinked a strawberry blonde eyebrow.
He sighed, "I just meant…" He didn't finish, "Never mind." This had been a bad idea.
She stepped away from him, "I appreciate the apology, but I'm going to go to bed now." She wasn't even mad anymore, just exhausted.
He didn't say anything until she was just about to turn around to leave, "Do you want go out?"
"Like on a date?" Ginny sputtered, completely shocked.
Draco smirked, "I suppose. If that's what you call two people getting acquainted." He said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What? Like to Hogsmeade or something?" She asked, still not taking him seriously.
"Not really what I had in mind." He said distastefully. "But what do you say?"
She thought it over for a few minutes, she really didn't want to end up regretting this.
But she made the mistake of looking into those captivating grey eyes, which made her decision for her. "Nothing shady or suspicious." She felt like those stipulations had to be placed on a lot of things lately.
Then again, this was Slytherin House, those stipulations almost went without saying.
"No promises." He grinned.
And god damn it if it wasn't the most irresistible thing she had ever seen.
For the millionth time in her life, she cursed the Gods for making Draco Malfoy the best looking man she had ever seen.
-x-
As she handed in her midterm essay for her Advanced Magical Theory: Modern Wizard Medicine, Ginny couldn't believe it was already the last week of October. As Kennedy and Romilda couldn't stop reminding her, Halloween was only a few days away.
Kennedy had her costume all picked out, she wanted to go as Gwenog Jones, the Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies. Though how that was a costume, Ginny was still a little confused. Still, there was no use in arguing with Kennedy over it, the girl danced to her own drum or however the saying went.
"Oh Ginevra, may I have a word?" Augustus Pye stopped her as she was halfway out of the door.
Ginny held back the urge to sigh, she was going to be late to Quidditch again and she was in no mood to hear Draco's mouth today about how her tardiness was starting to become a habit.
He just didn't get how demanding her schedule actually was.
Once everyone else had left the classroom, Ginny made her way over to his desk.
He shuffled around a few pieces of paper, clearly looking for something. He adjusted his horn-rimmed glasses on his nose, probably to see better.
After a few minutes of that, he finally found the file he had been looking for.
"Ah, here it is!"
"Did I do something wrong, ?" Ginny asked, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.
She was stretched rather thin, but she always put in one hundred percent into her school work.
He shook his head, "Oh no, and please, call me Augustus?" The older man said with a smile, his dark blue eyes twinkling.
Ginny shifted her weight from foot to foot awkwardly, if she wasn't in trouble, then what was she doing here?
"I am rather impressed with your work, Miss Weasley." He began. "It shows great insight and grasp of rather complicated concepts." He continued.
Ginny was surprised, this wasn't what she had been expecting.
"I understand your course specialization is to be a Healer?" He asked.
Ginny nodded, everyone taking her courses had the same specialization.
"Have you given much thought to what kind of Healer?" He prompte.
Ginny shook her head, "I just figured I would decide in Medical school." She admitted. "I mean, they give you two years to declare for a reason, right?"
Augustus smiled, "That they do." He acknowledged. "Well, I just wanted to offer you a summer option." He cleared his throat.
Ginny raised her eyebrows.
"I was thinking, if you would like, once you graduate you can come to St. Mungo's and shadow me for the summer. Get a feel of what you would be doing in the future, how does that sound?"
It took all she had not to jump up and hug the elderly man in front of her. "Are you kidding! That would be amazing!" She kept her voice as calm as she could.
"Oh good." He clapped his hands together enthusiastically. "I was hoping you would oblige me, I would love to train you under me. I see great potential in you, Ginevra."
Ginevra, she didn't even bother correcting him, her full name just sounded so much more grown up. So much more appropriate.
"It would be such an honor, . I would love to."
"And of course, the end of you trial would come with a rather detailed and prominent letter of recommendation from me." He continued. "Not to toot my own horn but with your grades and a personal letter from me… you could get into just about any institution of higher education you wanted, muggle or magical."
She knew it was true, Augustus Pye was renown for his work before and after the War. Especially his new advances in mind magic, that took magical concepts having to do with the brain and applied them to psychological disorders in an effort to find cures for them.
There wasn't enough concrete evidence for it, but he was still recognized as being a pioneer in modern medicine.
Ginny could hardly believe her ears, this really was a dream come true.
"I don't know if you realize how important this is to me." She said honestly, "you've really just…" She was speechless.
He chuckled, "Just keep up the good work, Miss Weasley and I'll be seeing you this summer." He said with kind blue eyes.
"I won't disappoint." She promised, her smile stretching from ear to ear.
This was just the motivation she had needed to keep her going.
-x-
Halloween night was upon quicker than anyone had even imagined. Ginny had been so busy in the last few weeks, what with quidditch and school work (and all her free time being spent trying to ignore Draco) that she had no time to prepare a costume.
Romilda was dressed as a vampire, which only really required a pair of skimpy black shorts, a satin red bustier and a pair of rather fake looking fangs. Her well endowed chest was on full display for the occasion.
Kennedy stayed true to her word, dressed as Gwenog Jones from the Harpies. Which again, didn't require much. She was wearing her autographed Jones jersey, her Quidditch broom in one hand and a play snitch whizzing by her side. She looked radiant as always though.
Daphne had decided to go as a fairy, which was just a pair of wings and a green dress. Like Ginny, she hadn't had much time to prepare or really cared to.
It was now the eleventh hour and the girls had forced Ginny to partake in their festivities, which was going to the Three Broomsticks for the Halloween party they were throwing for the graduating students of Hogwarts.
McGonnagal knew about it, thought she decided to turn a blind eye to all the foolish shenanigans that would go on tonight.
Kennedy was fussing over Ginny's hair, curling the flame licked tendrils meticulously. They had decided to dress Ginny up as a devil as that's all they really had time for. Kennedy had placed her in a particularly short and tight red dress, it had cutouts along the ribs and a plunging back. It barely caught the middle of her thighs and fit her like a second skin. It was the most uncomfortable the redhead had ever been in an article of clothing.
Romilda was carefully applying make up to Ginny's face as Daphne searched for the horns they had gotten for her at the last minute.
"I know I put them here, Kenny!" The auburn haired girl said in frustration.
"Check the other side, Daffy." Kennedy said in annoyance.
"You're the one that was supposed to—
"Daphne, on the dressing table." Romilda pointed patiently.
Daphne's green eyes snapped to where her friend had just gestured. "What would we do without you, Remi." She winked.
Ginny silently thanked the lord that Daphne had gotten over her month long brooding period where she snapped at everything and everyone that moved. God, the girl was moodier than Blaise Zabini.
Romilda had just finished putting red lipstick on Ginny when Kennedy turned her around. "Yes!" She squealed. "Look at how freakin' hot you are!' She shoved Ginny towards one of the full length mirrors in their room.
Timidly, Ginny stared at her reflection. She almost gasped at what was staring back at her. She had never been one to doll herself up or wearing anything less than modest. And she wasn't about to start doing it on a regular basis now either but still she did like what she saw.
She had never felt more powerful because of her appearance before.
"There's a reason why our young Mr. Malfoy drools all over you." Romilda smacked her butt playfully.
Ginny hid her blush from her friends.
"You are a beaut, Ginevra Weasley." Kennedy stood behind her. "Own that shit." She winked, giving her a hug over her shoulders.
Ginny just laughed, "No one holds a candle to you, Rosie." And she meant it, there wasn't a person in the world more breathtaking than her best friend.
"Well, if this pseudo-lesbian moment is over." Daphne rolled her eyes, "Shall we get a move on?"
"Jealous." Kennedy stuck her tongue out at Daphne.
Daphne just shook her head. "Did we get word from the boys?" She asked.
Ginny and Romilda shrugged, before all three girls turned to the blonde in the room.
"Um, well. Terence told me to wait for him." Kennedy said sheepishly. "But…"
"Why didn't you tell us that?" Daphne laughed, giving Kennedy's shoulder a slight push.
Kennedy sighed. "Coz… I'd rather go with my girls." She mumbled, seemingly irritated. "I don't really wanna show up at the party on someone's arm, you know?"
"Are you crazy." Romilda looked at Kennedy with a raised eyebrow. "That boy is head over heels for you, of course you're going to wait for him." She said with a tone of finality.
"Gin, would you talk to Draco and see if there's going to be some kind of pre game before this event. Lord knows our boys aren't going to show up sober." Daphne implored.
"Yeah and I don't want to either." Romilda chimed in.
Ginny just shook her head, "Why don't we just go over there." She said exasperatedly. "You guys know as well as I do that those primadonnas probably aren't even ready yet, let alone—
"Ginny's right." Kennedy interrupted. "We should just all go over there and go to the party together." She said quickly.
Romilda just gave her a look.
"So it's settled then?" Daphne said with a shrug.
When they showed up at Draco's room, the boys were already all gathered there.
Terence was dressed in his green robes and was wearing a fake pointy beard. "What are you supposed to be?" Ginny asked, as he handed her a cup with what she assumed to have alcohol.
"Hello… I'm Salazar Slytherin." He pointed at the beard as if it should have made it obvious.
Ginny laughed, "I see it now." She pat his shoulder empathetically.
He just shook his head, his cobalt eyes already on the blonde who had just walked in.
Romilda was right, Terence had it bad for Kennedy.
Blaise stood aloofly in the corner, his eyes on the fireplace. He was dressed as Count Dracula, much to everyone's surprise, who had expected the surly ex-keeper to denounce tradition all together.
Ginny snuck a glance at Romilda and mentally imagined how adorable the two of them would look together. For some reason, Romilda was the only person Balise was halfway decent to. Everyone else got the cold shoulder.
Everyone figured it was because Remi was just too sweet for anyone to be mean to.
Adrian was talking to the girls, he claimed he was going as a Troll but it didn't look like he put much effort in the get up.
Notoriously missing from his own room, however, was Draco Malfoy.
As if reading her mind, Terence lightly elbowed her, "He's still getting ready. Your man is a perfectionist when it comes to his hair." He smirked.
Ginny reddened under the beater's gaze, "He's not my man." She mumbled half heartedly.
"Right…" Terence said, entirely unconvinced.
Ginny resisted the urge to chew her lip, she didn't want to get red lipstick on her teeth. Instead, she took a large sip of the liquid in her cup in an effort to calm her jumpy nerves.
For some reason, seeing Draco always made her anxious.
It was pathetic.
"Shouldn't you be working your charm on Rosie anyway?" Ginny jutted her chin towards her best friend who was currently involved in a heated conversation with Adrian Pucey.
Terence took a long sip of his own drink, he made a face that made Ginny think that his must be a lot stronger than hers. "She's not really into it." He muttered.
Ginny turned to face him, "What do you mean?" She asked, knitting her eyebrows.
Another swig, "C'mon, Red. You're her best friend, you should know it better than me." He said a bit resentfully.
Ginny looked at him, "All she's talked about since this year has started is you, Terence." She said honestly.
"Well, it doesn't really seem like it." He scoffed. "I like Kennedy, I've liked her since third year… and I've waited, for a long time." She could tell he was frustrated. "This year, it seemed like she was finally ready, but that's Rosie for you." He shook his head.
Ginny felt her heart break for the boy standing beside her, Terence was one of the few decent guys she had ever met. He really cared about other people, out of all his friends he was the only one who really gave a damn about Draco. And she knew he really cared for Kennedy.
It just sucked to see him so down.
Ginny reached up at put a hand on his broad shoulder, "Contrary to what everyone think, Kennedy and I don't live in each other's heads." She began, "But from what I know, I think she does care about you." She had no knowledge of anything else.
Well, there was the Ron thing but they hardly ever even talked anymore.
Terence didn't really look convinced, "I'd just like it better if she told me what was going on, so I wasn't so…" He didn't finish, "I just want to know where we stand." He said after a few minutes.
And Ginny could understand that better than anyone else.
"I'll talk to her."
Terence looked at her, a little surprised. "You… you will?"
Ginny nodded, "Sure." She smiled.
"Thanks, Red."
Ginny just put her arms around him, pulling him in for a hug. He hugged her back for a second before pulling back, "Malfoy will have my head if he catches me with my hands on you." He grinned, and even though his tone was playful he was dead serious.
Draco would murder him.
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Everyone has Draco so misconstrued when it comes to me." She said amusedly. "You guys seem to be under the impression he…" Her breath hitched, effectively stopped her mid speech.
The topic of their conversation had just walked out and if it were possible, he looked more handsome than Ginny remembered him.
He really was a sight to behold.
Clad in a satin silver shirt that made those eyes hang between blue and grey, a black suit jacket and tie to match, with a black pants. He looked like old money and privilege, but Ginny couldn't bring herself to hate him for it.
Probably because he made it look so damn good.
His hair was completely slicked back, clean, without a single strand out of place. It was a few shades darker, but it was probably because of whatever product he used. He had his hands tucked in his pockets, a cigar hanging out of his mouth. Though Ginny assumed it was probably more for show.
His eyes met hers in an unwavering gaze, so intense that Ginny wanted to break under it.
When he came over to her, she barely realized she had been holding her breath. When she inhaled, all she could smell was him.
It made her feel lightheaded, overpowering all her senses. He smelled like everything she had ever been attracted to all in one.
He bent his head down, "Don't you look lovely." He said silkily in her ear.
Ginny felt an enormity of butterflies explode in her stomach.
She'd never felt like this around anyone before, she hated that he was beginning to reduce her to an enamored fangirl.
She had to get it together, she needed to get herself back.
She cleared her throat, "You as well." She said noncommittally, "Though, I can't say I know what you are." She took a few small steps back, putting distance between them.
From the corner of her eye, Ginny saw that Terence had gotten Kennedy alone and they looked as though they were in a conversation of their own.
Inwardly, she smiled, she really did like Terence.
Romilda and Daphne were now engaged in a conversation with Adrian, Blaise was standing by them but contributing nothing.
"Armand Malfoy." Draco said confidently.
Ginny snapped her eyes back to him, "What?" She looked at him in a mix of confusion and annoyance.
"Armand Malfoy." He said again, "He was the forefather of the Malfoy family, not to mention he established the first ever wizarding colony in Britain as well as the first money system." He said proudly.
Ginny vaguely remembered Professor Binns talking about him, though she couldn't for the life of her recall anything else.
"Not much thought goes into that, huh?"
"Well, that neither does this little get up." He said, his jaw tensing in the slightest.
Was he jealous?
Ginny had to try her best to hold back a smirk, was she really getting the playboy extraordinaire himself… jealous?
The thought was laughable.
"Why, Malfoy. You had just told me moments ago that I looked lovely."
Draco moved to stand in front of her, "Which was the truth." He said, "But I don't know how I feel about anyone else seeing you like this." He said, his voice was low and feral.
He really was jealous.
Ginny let a sultry smile adorn her lips, "We're nothing but friends, right? Why should it matter?" She asked sweetly.
His eyes darkened, "Don't play games, Weasley." He growled.
Ginny giggled, "But, Malfoy. You've got so many girls throwing themselves at you, what could you want from." She put a finger on his chest, goading him.
His hand wrapped around her wrist, "You don't want me to show you… not in front of all these people." He was dangerously close to her lips.
Her breath hitched in her throat, all the bravado she had been displayed just moments ago vanished.
Instinctually, her body responded to him, it was as if she didn't even have control over it. She pressed herself against him unconsciously, her heart thundering against her ribcage.
The heat was palpable, everything and everyone in the room fell away. She couldn't tear her eyes away from his, she couldn't pull her body away.
In that moment, Ginny realized there had never been anything she had ever wanted more than Draco Malfoy.
It was unnerving, terrifying and positively thrilling.
He made her feel things she had no idea she was capable of, he aroused emotions with in her she didn't know she had, made parts of her throb she was embarrassed to admit.
His breath was against her lips, he smelled like peppermint toothpaste and aftershave. She wanted to feel his lips again, she ached for it. She needed his touch so badly it was overwhelming her.
There could have been a million people in the room right now and she wouldn't have cared if it meant having him like this for a few moments longer.
Draco hadn't realized how close they were or how much he had been wanting this until he felt every hair on his body stand up, every nerve ending was electrified, every second was intensified. And it made him wonder how long he had gone without being close to her like this.
He stared down at her, red lips parted, her brown eyes staring soulfully into his own, her dark lashes fluttering up and down, her pink tinged cheeks, the light freckles across her nose. Everything about her made him want her.
His own body responded to hers rather prominently, he was sure she could feel. He wanted her to feel it, he wanted her to know just how much she affected him, whatever the repercussions of it might be.
He had her pressed between him and the wall, she hadn't run away yet.
He wasn't sure much time had passed, it felt like eternities, it felt like a few seconds. But when Blaise Zabini shoved his shoulder, Draco just knew he couldn't have been more irritated.
"What?" Draco barked.
It then hit both teenagers that the entire room was now looking at them. And their display was contrary to everything they had been telling their friends.
Immediately, Draco dropped Ginny's wrist, she squirmed out from under him, smoothing down that piece of fabric she wanted to call a dress.
He cleared his throat, giving everyone in the room a hard stare. One that clearly said no one had permission to talk about what they saw or comment on it.
Quickly, the rest of them decided to busy themselves collecting various belongings from the room, getting ready to finally leave.
"You haven't even had a drink, mate." Terence handed Draco a glass of dark liquor.
Ginny knew by now that Draco preferred Whiskey to most everything else.
Kennedy came over and looped her arm with the redhead, a smug look on her face.
"Don't start." Ginny warned.
Kennedy just kept her smug smile in place but didn't say anything else.
"What are you supposed to be, Drac?" Daphne elbowed him.
"Armand Malfoy!" He said exasperatedly, "God damn it, don't any of you know your history." He muttered frustrated.
Ginny just laughed behind her hand.
"So basically… you're you, but from the past." Adrian raised his eyebrows in amusement.
Draco didn't respond.
"He's vintage Draco." Kennedy joked.
They all laughed at the brooding blonde's expense.
-x-
A/n: Hello all! I hope you guys are happy with this update, I tried to deliver it in a rather timely manner. I hope that all is well with everyone and you guys are in good spirits and good health. I hope you're all satisfied with this chapter, I tried to make up for the lack of ginny and draco in the last chapter by including a heaping dose in this one. Please let me know if you guys have any concerns so far, I love feedback and constructive criticism!
Okay now, let me say thank you for the reviews. I am so happy to see more people taking the time out to review my story, it means the world to me because I really do work hard on these chapters. I just want to give my readers the best experience I possibly can. So to be recognized for it is absolutely everything. I can't thank you guys enough, for all of that follow/favorite, thanks for that too (even if you don't review) I appreciate it nonetheless.
To my lovely reviewers: I thought I would reply to you in person in chapter as oppose to PMing you, so the informational section of this A/N is now over.
HT188: I am so glad you like the Ginny & Draco dynamic, I tried to keep things progressing at a rather slower pace to keep it as realistic as possible. I'm also happy you think that I portray Draco's feelings accurately, because that was one thing that was a bit more difficult. Draco could have been developed more as a character, so getting insight into how he would feel or react to in certain situations is a bit tougher.
MyNightWish: Oh I'm sooo happy you like the Slytherin boys, I'm really trying to develop a well rounded story and one of my biggest things was how to incorporate more Slytherin characters without making them all up. The fact that I'm getting such positive feedback on it is so encouraging. Terence is actually slowly starting to become one of my favorite characters too!
veronica21: I would like to address all three of your things! Lol. Well, if you were happy about the last update, I hope your just as happy (if not happier) about this one! It's a lot more GinnyxDraco oriented so hopefully that's a selling point :D I really love Lana Del Rey as well, for some reason I find her music to be very fitting for when I'm writing but especially when I'm writing this story. I guess because (in my head, at least) Ginny and Draco are just so star-crossed and almost tragic. I actually am so glad to hear about your internship, it is really cool that we're doing the same thing. Hopefully yours isn't too tough, I know my boss keeps me pretty busy lol Look forward to your reviews and hearing from you, good luck with everything you're doing as well!
Guest (1): Yes, Ron is being a bit of a Gemini (as he can't make up his mind, a little astrology humor) but he will get better, I promise. I tried to be as insightful as possible with Draco's memories and thoughts as there was such little detail on it in canon, there was basically a whole year of Draco's life where he was in service of the Dark Lord and we have no real idea about it. Thanks for the review, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, look forward to hearing from you soon!
OnceASltherinAlwaysASltherin: Well… I think it's safe to say you got what you wanted! LOL. Hope you liked the update, I'd love to know what you thought!
JadedXelement: I absolutely loved your review, it was definitely one of my favorites because I love hearing insightful comments about the writing and the characters. You take a lot of time building a world and cultivating relationships and personalities so it's nice when someone takes notice of that. I tried to make Ginny grow into the person that little Ginny would have been, you know spunky with a little bit of sass, definitely tough because she grew up with brothers. I really didn't like that Ginny's character was eventually reduced to a girl in love with Harry Potter who's end all and be all was his existence. I thought she deserved better. I actually love writing about the goings on in Slytherin house because I feel out of all the houses they would actually be the most fun. I would imagine if there really was a Hogwarts, that's where all the great parties and hot boys would be lol. Well, you know the Kennedy/Ron/Terence thing is still all up in the air, so who knows who our little Miss Rosier ends up with ;) Thanks so much for the review, I really look forward to hearing your thoughts on future (or past) chapters! (Sorry if this reply was a little long.)
Laboroflove: thank you for the kind words and I'm happy everyone seems to be liking the boys. I really do have a lot of fun writing their scenes. Thanks so much for the review, hope to hear from you soon!
DracoDormiens17: Well, there was a pretty big dose of Draco and Ginny in this chapter and of course it will continue from here! Hope it was to your liking. Thanks so much for the review, I appreciate it a lot. Until next time!
Somethingblue91: Yes, there is a lot more Ginny here, I definitely neglected my girl in the last chapter but that was mostly to show a different side of Draco. A more in depth look at his thoughts and emotions and feelings, to kind of give a rationale to why he acts the way he does. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you did the last and I do look forward to hearing from you soon!
Explicitly Simple: A lot of people have told me lately that they came across this story while looking for an H/Hr one. I actually have some rather fun H/Hr scenes planned for upcoming chapters, so hopefully you'll like those. I'm so glad you like the Draco x Ginny pairing for this story, they're really my favorite. I love Lana, she's one of my all time favorites, so I will definitely give the song a listen. Thanks for the review and for the suggestion, I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Guest(2): Well the Draco and Ginny action is here as promised. Once again, I'm glad everyone likes Terence, I like him a lot too and I love writing him. It's a lot of fun. I hope you liked this chapter and I would love to hear from you soon!
Thank you for everyone who reviews and will review, I really do appreciate it. I'm going to try to make this personally replying to your reviews a permanent thing so I hope it doesn't annoy you guys! If it does or you would rather I don't do it just let me know and I won't!
Thanks again and I hope everyone reading enjoys!